Boxing icon George Foreman is truly one of the greatest fighters to ever step inside the ring.
Having sadly passed away in 2025, Foreman will go down as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, changing the sport of boxing forever.
From Foreman defeating Michael Moorer to win the world title at 45 years old, to facing Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, some of the greatest moments in boxing belong to ‘Big George’.
Not only was Foreman an effective puncher, but he was also an entertaining one. So much so that he was given four The Ring Magazine ‘Fight of the Year’ awards across five years.
1973 Fight of the Year – George Foreman defeats Joe Frazier
After trailblazing through 37 opponents by the age of 23 years old, Foreman would be given his first opportunity at the world title, taking on ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier.
Frazier was the holder of the WBA and WBC World Heavyweight titles, and had a 29-0 record that consisted of a win over Ali.
However, despite being given the ‘Fight of the Year’ accolade, the bout was a short one. Not making it to the third round, Foreman brutalized Frazier across two rounds to earn a TKO victory.
With Frazier down six times across the two rounds, it was one of the most brutal heavyweight fights of all time.
1974 Fight of the Year – Muhammad Ali defeats George Foreman
In one of the most highly anticipated boxing matches of all time, Foreman and Ali fought in Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1974. The fight was billed as ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’.
Foreman was the reigning heavyweight champion, having defended his titles against Jose Roman and Ken Norton. As for Ali, he was coming into the bout off the back of a redemption win over Frazier.
Although the champion was the huge favorite in the bout, Ali had an all-time great game plan that would see him steal the heavyweight crown.
Implementing his famous ‘rope-a-dope’ tactics, Ali was able to evade the power punches of Foreman before landing his own finishing blows in round eight.
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1976 Fight of the Year – George Foreman defeats Ron Lyle
Foreman would miss out on the 1975 ‘Fight of the Year’ as he did not compete for some time after the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ defeat. The award instead went to Ali vs Frazier III.
Making his return to the ring after his first career defeat, Foreman took on Ron Lyle. The two had an incredible back-and-forth slugfest, with ‘Big George emerging as the winner.
Despite being knocked down twice, it would be a fifth-round knockout victory for the former champion in Las Vegas.
1977 Fight of the Year – Jimmy Young defeats George Foreman
Foreman would taste the second defeat of his career in his fourth and final ‘Fight of the Year’ showing.
Fighting in Puerto Rico, Foreman took on Jimmy Young (20-5-2), who was also coming off of a win over Lyle.
Despite his fights usually ending in knockouts, Foreman and Young would go all 12 rounds. However, it would be Young who emerged the winner.
Foreman was deducted a point in the bout, as well as being knocked down in the final round. This lead to Young earning a unanimous decision victory.
The fight against Young would be Foreman’s final outing for 10 years, as he took a career break. ‘Big George’ would return in 1987, with a knockout win over Steve Zouski.