George Foreman developed a reputation as a formidable titan in the heavyweight division, though he lost to Ali, Foreman seemed otherwise indestructible, until one man shattered that illusion entirely.
George Foreman retired with a record of 76-5, with 68 of his wins coming by way of knockout.
To this day, Foreman holds the accolade of being the oldest heavyweight champion, showing his destructive power carried even into his later years.
Foreman lost to just five men – Ali during the Rumble in the Jungle, Evander Holyfield, Tommy Morrison, Shannon Briggs (though controversially), and Jimmy Young.
Jimmy Young became one of three men to knock down George Foreman in upset victory
In 1977, just four fights after stopping Joe Frazier in their rematch, and three years after the Rumble in the Jungle, in which Ali said to Foreman ‘That all you got George?’, the heavyweight juggernaut faced Jimmy Young.
At the time, Young’s record was 20-5-2, having lost to Ali, Earnie Shavers, and a few others. Foreman’s record was 45-1, and the highly touted heavyweight was expected by many to emerge victorious.
However, Young defied the odds, dropping Foreman in the final round, before winning a unanimous decision victory over Foreman, whose grills made him a whopping $200+ million.
Young became the only man aside from Ali and Ron Lyle, who Foreman beat in his comeback fight after the Ali loss, to send Foreman to the canvas.
Only one other man has won world titles 20 years apart
Foreman is well known for becoming the oldest heavyweight world champion, and for winning world titles 20 years apart, first against Frazier and second against Michael Moorer, but he is not the only man to achieve this feat.
Manny Pacquiao defeated Keith Thurman by split decision in 2019, in what was his final fight, until he came back two years later and lost to Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao even named his dog Thurman after his former foe, and became the oldest welterweight champion at the age of 40 upon beating him.