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RIP George Foreman

Walrus
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Loved to watch his old matches I remember during Covid espn was running all the big fights from boxings heyday. I met him briefly at a signing event I remember he looked like a superhuman and his hands look like monster appendages. He had a great laugh and he made sure to look at you as he signed and talked. I just got the feeling with the interactions he had with his entourage and fans he was a decent human.

 
Turpinrr
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I remember him winning the title back in 1973.
He bounced smokin Joe Frazier off the canvas 6 times and was terrifying in doing so.

Ken Norton was terrified when he challenged big George for the title the same way Michael Spinks was of Mike Tyson and many of Joe Louis opponents were of him.

Norton looked an impressive sight, 210lbs of muscle but although only 12lbs or so heavier, big George looked massive and scary.

The 70's were probably the most exciting times for heavyweight boxing and big George more than played his part.

Nobody took the new big jovial George seriously 2 decades later but the right hand he flattened Michael Moorer with was one for the ages.

As a Brit and an ex boxer I loved hearing him speak and his accent was a joy to listen to.

"End of an era" is an oft used cliché but fits the bill with the big fella passing
 
Turpinrr
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Walrus Walrus
Loved to watch his old matches I remember during Covid espn was running all the big fights from boxings heyday. I met him briefly at a signing event I remember he looked like a superhuman and his hands look like monster appendages. He had a great laugh and he made sure to look at you as he signed and talked. I just got the feeling with the interactions he had with his entourage and fans he was a decent human.

I wish I'd had the chance to meet him and always thought he was a great ambassador for boxing.

His fight with Ron Lyle was unforgettable.
 
Tet
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Sad news, what a legend of the sport and a true gentleman.

Always enjoyed seeing him still around and attending the big events. He will be missed.
 
river rat
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When I was going to Winton JH school as a kid next to the school was the boys club on rainy days we would use the gym in the boys club one of those days we went in the boys club gym there was a boxing ring setup in the gym George Foreman was using it to train for a fight. At the time he did not live far from Hayward were the boys club was at he lived in Livermore with some acreage were he had a lion and tiger as pets at the time. My memories as a kid in the 1970’s. RIP George Foreman.
 
Walrus
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If anyone has not seen it i recommend “when we were kings” great documentary on boxing in general but shows the differences between Foreman and Ali. Also shows George working a heavy bag and bending the damn thing in half. It’s one of my favorite documentaries on boxing and Foreman was always one of my favorite boxers.
IMG_1842.webp
 
Danwales
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A great fighter. None of those 70s Heavyweights lived passed 80 and some were ravaged by the punches they took but I always thought George had it the best with his faculties and wealth intact.
 
Archer
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Turpinrr Turpinrr
The 70's were probably the most exciting times for heavyweight boxing and big George more than played his part.
Agreed. No other era in my lifetime comes close to how these fighters were so widely known and revered.
 
Turpinrr
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Danwales Danwales
A great fighter. None of those 70s Heavyweights lived passed 80 and some were ravaged by the punches they took but I always thought George had it the best with his faculties and wealth intact.
George Chuvalo, who twice went the distance with Ali is 87.
He was a contender in the 60's and 70's and known for his durability, only Frazier and Foreman managed to stop him.
 
Turpinrr
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I remember reading a quote by Hugh McIllvaney in a boxing magazine before Zaire

" I too know of a way to beat Foreman but involves shelling him for three days and then sending the infantry in"

At the time I feared for Ali's life.
 
Danwales
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Turpinrr Turpinrr
George Chuvalo, who twice went the distance with Ali is 87.
He was a contender in the 60's and 70's and known for his durability, only Frazier and Foreman managed to stop him.
That's true. George was fantasticly durable. I believe he's in a care home now but he was certainly quite bright until recently.
 
Walrus
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Turpinrr Turpinrr
I wish I'd had the chance to meet him and always thought he was a great ambassador for boxing.

His fight with Ron Lyle was unforgettable.
Just wanted to clarify I didn’t technically “meet” Foreman I payed to stand in line for an autograph. I was always amazed by his movement and how he could push his opponent off him and kinda place his opponent where he wanted them. Hec of a ring IQ.

I boxed but strictly amateur and my weight class was well below George. I can’t imagine being able to take a shot from foreman on the button and still be able to stand and fight.

They say Ali rolled with a lot of those Foreman punches in the rumble in the jungle so he didn’t take the full brunt but I don’t know I watched that fight a dozen times Ali took a beating. Foreman stated he didn’t take the fight seriously enough as Ali was coming off that series of L’s but either way you feel those punches and 15 rounds was a long time.

I remember taking a few shots on the button and having my knees turn to jello credit to anyone who was in the ring with Forman.
 
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