Former heavyweight champion and boxing legend George Foreman is facing a pending sexual assault lawsuit according to reports. Two women are claiming that Foreman sexually abused them in the 1970s. The former champ denies the allegations and say the women are extorting him.
“Over the past six months,” Foreman said, “two women have been trying to extort millions of dollars each from me and my family. They are falsely claiming that I sexually abused them over 45 years ago in the 1970s.”
“I adamantly and categorically deny these allegations. The pride I take in my reputation means as much to me as my sports accomplishments, and I will not be intimidated by baseless threats and lies.”
“I am, and always will be, guided by my faith and trust in God,” Foreman said. “I will work with my lawyers to fully and truthfully expose my accusers’ scheme and defend myself in court. I don’t pick fights, but I don’t run away from them either.”
Maybe Foreman’s most famous fight was his heavyweight title defense in 1974 against Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was billed as the “Rumble in the Jungle” and lived up to the hype.
Foreman was 40-0 and defending his WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight championships. Ali was a 4-1 underdog against the heavy-hitting Foreman, who had 37 KOs at that point.
Foreman lost the fight due to Ali’s rope-a-dope strategy. As the second round began, Ali began to lean on the ropes and cover up, allowing Foreman punch him on the arms and body. As a result, Foreman spent his energy throwing punches, without earning points, that either missed hit Ali or were deflected in a way that made Foreman hitting Ali’s head close to impossible. All the while draining Foreman’s strength due to the large number of punches thrown.
The strategy also allowed Ali to land straight line punches to the face and head of Foreman.
In the eighth round Ali hit Foreman with several right hooks. Ali knocked Foreman to the canvas, and while Foreman was able to get up on one knee the referee stooped the fight. It was one of the greatest upsets in boxing history and arguably the fight of the 20th century.
Two decades later (1994), Foreman regained the title he loss to Ali, defeating then-heavyweight champion Michael Moorer. A tremendous accomplishment, as Foreman was 45 years old at the time.
Foreman’s record stands at 76 wins and five losses, with 68 wins via KO.
