George Foreman, the fearsome heavyweight who became a beloved champion, dies at 76
2 memories that come to mind of Big George--the Rumble In The Jungle in i believe 1974, when Muhammad Ali beat him in Zaire (when George was seen much like Iron Mike Tyson was later...simply unbeatable, and people genuinely feared that Ali might die or get severely beaten...they were concerned for his health. Instead, Ali was a master, let Foreman punch himself out, and then knocked George out to the chants of "Ali, boombaya!")
and then of course some 20 years later, when George bided his time, losing round after round to heavyweight champ Michael Moorer, only in a very late round (the 11th?) to land a quick combination that didn't simply knock Moorer down, but out.
As strange as it is to say, old George may have been a better fighter than young George....he was so smart and crafty at the end of his career.
He also went from a snarling, silent 20-something, to a gregarious, laughing, joking champ in his 40s and beyond. Great man--he'll be missed.