1. “Big” George Foreman 76-5, 68 KOs
George Foreman was born January 10, 1949 in Marshall, Texas. He was raised in a tough area called The Fifth Ward in Houston with six siblings and an aversion to the educational system. He was a naturally large youth and generally used his size to bully and intimidate those on his block. Foreman stopped going to school for good when he was 15 years old and eventually joined the Job Corps, which resulted in his relocation to California where he discovered boxing.
He had a relatively short amateur career of which he maximized winning a gold medal in the 1968 Olympics. Foreman garnered national attention when being awarded the gold medal as he waved a small American flag. This was polar opposite to some other medalists who had been raising a gloved fist in the air in a symbolic political statement.
Foreman joined the professional ranks in 1969 with a second-round stoppage victory. Keeping his eye on the top rung of the Heavyweight ladder and by 1971 Foreman slugged his way to an impressive record of 32-0, 29 KOs. He was now recognized as the No. 1 contender for Joe Frazier’s championship straps and a year later the fight Foreman had been waiting for came to fruition.
Frazier was the undefeated Heavyweight champion, an honor he punctuated with a unanimous-decision victory over the previously undefeated Muhammad Ali in The Fight of the Century. Foreman absolutely annihilated Frazier, dropping him six times before the fight was mercifully stopped in the second round.
After destroying Ken Norton in the first round with devastating uppercuts, Foreman was upset by Ali who was a huge underdog. Rebounding, he won his next five bouts by knockout including a thriller against Ron Lyle that saw both men on the canvas several times and a rematch with Frazier. In 1977, Foreman retired after losing a decision to Jimmy Young and having a life altering religious experience in his locker room after the fight.
Foreman returned to action 10 years later in a comeback virtually nobody took seriously. He feasted on fairly nondescript competition for two years when he started vaporizing fringe contenders. No one was laughing after Foreman put on a performance for the ages against the prim Evander Holyfield in 1991.
Three years later Foreman capitalized on his popularity and challenged reigning Heavyweight champion Michael Moorer. Foreman proved that power is the last thing to leave a puncher and at the age of 45, while hopelessly behind on points, Foreman detached the champion from his senses with an astounding right hand, regaining the title he lost 20 years earlier.
Suggested viewing: George Foreman’s effortless display of crushing power vs. Joe Frazier 1973.
