My Many George Foreman Memories

By Scoop Malinowski

George Foreman was a pivotal figure in my decision to get involved in boxing. I loved him as a kid, even after he lost those heartbreakers to Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Young on the TV set, I still saw greatness in him. When a boxing magazine did a story about his post boxing life as a Catholic preacher in Texas, it printed his mail address which I was moved to write him a letter in about 1980.

I suggested he should consider returning to boxing and he could still regain the title.  About a year later, I was shocked to see the return letter on his personal stationary from Humble, Texas. On his letterhead, George actually wrote to me a two-paged handwritten letter. I still remember what he said: He doesn’t follow boxing anymore, he’s busy with his church work, he doesn’t even watch TV which he called “the most unGodly thing on the scene.”

Of course this letter was saved – it was my first actual communication with a sporting icon, other than autographs with Chris Evert and some Philadelphia Phillies after a game at The Vet. Years later I ended up becoming a journalist and Foreman made a comeback to boxing in 1987. By 1993 I was commissioned to do my Biofile interviews for the official program for the George Foreman vs Tommy Morrison fight in Las Vegas. We talked on the phone and George even said after I asked his favorite boxers to watch: “These are great questions.” At the end of the interview I told him about the letter I sent to him as a kid and asked if he happened to remember it? He replied, “I had to write you back. You were so serious!”

In thirty years in the media, there haven’t been many more highlights moments beyond that and when Foreman beat Michael Moorer for the title in 1994.

Another gem… talking boxing with LeRoy Neiman at his studio about Foreman and the legendary artist commented after the world heavyweight champion observing his portrait of standing in the ring corner with his arm relaxed on the rope, “That’s exactly how I feel.”

Another classic Foreman moment was during the chaotic Madison Square Garden brawl after the Golota-Bowe fight, a young thug threatened Jim Lampley and Foreman said to the raging young fan, “You don’t want to do that son.”

I always loved Foreman’s HBO commentary and the authentic reactions especially after he saw Lennox Lewis KO Razor Ruddock and he happily declared, “We have a great new heavyweight on the scene…”

Samson Pouha once was briefly used as a sparring partner for Foreman but because he hit so hard, Team Foreman had to ask him to leave training camp.

Though Foreman lost to Ali, it ended up being a blessing in disguise. He transformed from a sort of misunderstood, villain type figure into one of the most beloved and popular champions in heavyweight history. He is still the oldest man in history to win the title (45). His celebrity endorsement touch was so powerful it made his hamburger grill device a gargantuan success.

George Foreman achieved a historic career – as successful, colorful, memorable and respected as any athlete in any sport.