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| I want to thank George Foreman for taking time out of his busy schedule to do this interview. Big George’s time is limited so we’ll make this a short one. Thanks George – Phil: Very few people have experienced the level of success that you have in professional sports or in the business world. What was the more difficult task for you, ascending the heavyweight rankings or climbing the corporate ladder? Big George: The most difficult task for me trying to achieve success. I lost the title in 74, to Muhammad Ali. Night after night, I would wake up fighting that same fight over, and over. Until one night I won. The realization, that it was me who lost that fight, and Ali who won. I made up my mind the next time I was given a chance to do anything in life, I would prepare day in and day out, to be the best; and if I were not the best, I would train harder so that I’d be the best, that way I would always win. The same goes with business; No one is better, it is just some of us come unprepared. Phil: Your career spanned an unbelievable 29 years, 81 fights and 4 decades. You always faced the best opponents yet you only lost five fights and you were only knocked out once. To what do you attribute your amazing durability? Big George: The fact is, I had my first fight in 1966 and the last one was in 97! Winning the Gold medal in 1968. And to be honest "I only lost one fight, it was to Ali." He beat me; the others only escaped being knocked out by me. I was always a little a bit bigger than most of the guys I fought; and the fighters I meet were always in retreat, or just holding me. So they tried to stay out of my way (Not Ron Lyle) and out point me, never really hitting that hard. And I was always stay in top shape. Phil: Without question you are one of the greatest fighters of all time. You thrilled fans for years and always gave them their moneys worth. Interest in boxing has faded in recent years and there are no George Foreman’s in the heavyweight division to revitalize the sport. What do you think needs to be done to bring the fans back? And can boxing ever achieve the same level of success it enjoyed when you were fighting? Big George: Boxing goes through this from time, to time; Joe Louis left boxing and all thought it was dead; there was not much noise, (Marciano retired just when he could have made big noise) until Ali came on the scene. But when he came back the second time; we had a sport again. Then it dies again, until Mike Tyson came to the sport. But his bad ways really hurt the sport a bit. But we can expect some good fighter in the future; fighters that will bring the sport back to rightful place in the world of sports. Phil: Who are some current fighters that you would pay to see? Big George: Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the only guy, I'd pay to see! Phil: Is there any chance of you making a comeback? You may still be our best chance of unifying the titles! Big George: I did want to make a comeback at the age of 55; but my wife told me "NO WAY" I told her, I could still do it; look at me, can't you see I still have it:? She said to me "George isn’t that the way you want to leave the sport?" I couldn't answer that one! So I would never try that again. Phil: Now that your career has been over for a few years, what do you enjoy doing in your free time? Big George: Now that I have hung up the gloves, I love spending time with my children and the grand kids as well; I pass time riding the horses, and give me a fishing pole. Phil: Thanks for the time George. Is there anything that you’d like to say to your fans? Big George: To all the fans out there I tell them to keep the faith, boxing will come back in a big way. Why, because they "Boxing Fans" are the greatest fans in the world. George, I really appreciate you taking time to talk to me. Many former champions and busy businessmen like yourself have hectic schedules and have better things to do than to speak with us at Overhandright.com. The fact that you are willing to take your time, give fans a chance to hear your thoughts, and have a small peak into your life speaks to the fact that you are not only a great champion, but a great man as well! Phil Santos Overhandright.com Phil@Overhandright.com Boxing News & Interviews 2-14-07 |
| GEORGE FOREMAN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW |
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| Writers & Contributors: Phil Santos Jim Amato John Martinez Ted Sares Bill Calogero Photographers: Barry Arpin Barry Chew Stacey Santos |
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