George Foreman believes he came face-to-face with Jesus Christ, after he suffered a devastating defeat to Jimmy Young.
In his professional boxing career, the American had many an epic moment. Foreman knocked Ken Norton down three times in a minute, destroyed Joe Frazier, and, at 45, became the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history, with a ruthless knockout win over Michael Moorer.
But it’s fair to say that ‘Big George’ was much more than a boxer, with the powerhouse dedicating his life to preaching.
His astonishing tale is truly fascinating.
WOW: Mike Tyson and Dana White lead tributes as boxing legend George Foreman passes away at 76
George Foreman became a preacher after claiming to have met Jesus after losing to Jimmy Young
After suffering a defeat to Muhammad Ali in 1994, George Foreman rebuilt, desperately trying to claw his way back to the top.
Alas, everything came crashing down around him when Jimmy Young beat him via unanimous decision in Puerto Rico.
In the aftermath, the boxer was truly devastated, and began to spiral. Then, suddenly, he had a life-changing experience.
He told The Houston Chronicle: “In the dressing room, I was walking back and forth to cool off. Then, in a split second, I was fighting for my life.”
Suddenly, the fighter slipped into unconsciousness before a ‘giant hand’ pulled him out, and the Texan found himself on the locker room table surrounded by his loved ones.
He explained: “I knew that Jesus Christ was coming alive in me.
“I ran into the shower and turned on the water and — hallelujah! — I was born again. I kissed everybody in the dressing room and told them I loved them. That happened in March 1977, and I never have been the same again.”
This spiritual awakening changed the sportsman’s life. He was ordained as a minister and often preached on the streets of Houston.
In an interview with Believers Portal, he said: “I want to tell everybody that there is really a living God.
“This is not about a television show, but this is real, and it scared me. When I left boxing in 1977 to be a preacher, I couldn’t make a fist after I learned about Jesus Christ.”
Three years after retiring from boxing, he founded The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, four years after that, he started the George Foreman Youth and Community Center, where he helped young kids stay on the right path.
His dedication knew no bounds, with the legend only returning to the sport to keep the center open when it ran into financial problems, often fighting on Saturday evenings before flying home to Houston for the Sunday Service.
And it was this comeback that resulted in Foreman becoming the oldest heavyweight champion boxing has ever seen.
George Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer to become oldest heavyweight champion in history after being pushed by Teddy Atlas
In his second stint as a professional boxer, Foreman was significantly more cheerful than the first time around.
However, that didn’t mean that people didn’t try to press his buttons.
Right before he fought Moorer, the boxer’s head coach did his utmost to get under the icon’s skin.
In a bizarre moment, Teddy Atlas pushed George Foreman.