George Foreman remains a towering figure in the history of heavyweight boxing.
The likeable American still holds the record for being the oldest man to ever lift the world heavyweight crown. He got the accolade in 1994 after previously having 10 years away from the sport from 1977 to 1987.
On his return, and after a couple of failed attempts at the belt, he took on Michael Moorer, a man 19 years his junior, and though he lost much of the early fight, he knocked him out in the 10th round.
Elsewhere in his career, Foreman had a battle with Muhammad Ali, lost to Evander Holyfield and stopped the likes of Ron Lyle and Joe Frazier, twice. Eventually, he retired in 1997 aged almost 49 with 76 wins from 81 fights.
His career briefly overlapped with the great Lennox Lewis, who would go on to become an undisputed champion in 1999 when he bested Holyfield in Madison Square Garden. Lewis then ruled supreme over the division and his path with Foreman never crossed in the boxing ring.
Speaking to The Ring Magazine, Lewis admitted that he did not want the fight with ‘Big’ George even despite the big name it would add to his record.
“No. I never wanted to fight George. It is a lose-lose situation. If you beat him, like I would have, then you beat an old guy and everyone hates you, because they loved George. And if he beats you, you got beaten by an old guy and you are rubbish.”
