Watch out contenders, Georgies back. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

crewsor · 02-17-2004, 02:53 PM

LINKY

Foreman Coming Out of Retirement, King Says

Feb 17, 3:25 PM (ET)

By HILARY ROXE
MIAMI (AP) - George Foreman agreed to a tentative $20 million deal to return for a fight celebrating the 30th anniversary of his epic bout with Muhammad Ali, Don King said Tuesday.

King said he talked with the 55-year-old Foreman last week about the prospects of a fight.

"We've got a verbal deal," King said. "He said 'I'm willing to fight one more time."'

Foreman has said he's interested in fighting again to show young people that there's no reason to fear getting older.

He hasn't fought since 1997, when he lost his heavyweight title to Shannon Briggs. He has spent his time since as a TV pitchman and boxing commentator.

"George said he wants to come back to fight again, so what I'm doing is calling him out," King said. "He has the power, boy, he's rewriting history books."

Foreman did not immediately return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

Foreman would have to get himself into shape, King said, but he didn't expect the former heavyweight champion to have a problem finding a state that would license him to fight.

King said no opponent, date or location have been set, although Foreman said last week he'd like any fight to be in his hometown of Houston.

Foreman first won the heavyweight title in 1973 by knocking out Joe Frazier. He lost the title the next year to Ali in a bout fought in Zaire known as the "Rumble in Jungle." That fight was the first professional championship bout King promoted.

In 1987, after a 10-year retirement, Foreman made his first comeback. Seven years later, at 45, Foreman marked the 20th anniversary of the Ali fight by knocking out Michael Moorer to become the oldest person to win the heavyweight title. He lost the title in the 1997 match against Briggs, leaving the ring with a 76-5 record with 68 knockouts.

Forman has been the spokesman for a number of companies for the past several years, and pitched a countertop grills bearing his name. He has also been a ringside commentator for HBO.

He announced his interest in a comeback last week in Texas, but said he wasn't getting into the ring until he gets his weight down to 225 pounds.

Foreman didn't have a timetable for his return, but did say he wanted just one fight, in Houston.

King said he plans to match Foreman against one of his fighters, but wasn't specific about which boxer.

"We've got all this together," King said. "The pot of gold is waiting."

Unbelievable, why would he fight again? He must have a billion dolllars from all those grills hes sold.

Spartak · 02-17-2004, 04:55 PM

I demand a Forman vs Hollyfield "Battle of the un-retired washups" match!!

Anomaly_ · 02-17-2004, 05:31 PM

You know I used to think that Big George was one of the lucky ones when it came to retiring with one's faculties intact, but he's obviously missing something if he wants to fight again.

bond007 · 02-19-2004, 03:06 PM

how 'bout a Foreman-Holmes matchup?!?!?

crewsor · 02-19-2004, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bond007
how 'bout a Foreman-Holmes matchup?!?!?

Yeah, great. They if they fight at Atlantic City they could dub it " The Geezers at Caesars".

02-17-2004, 02:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
crewsor Women want me. Men fear me. Location: Maryland,USA	Watch out contenders, Georgies back. LINKY Foreman Coming Out of Retirement, King Says Feb 17, 3:25 PM (ET) By HILARY ROXE MIAMI (AP) - George Foreman agreed to a tentative $20 million deal to return for a fight celebrating the 30th anniversary of his epic bout with Muhammad Ali, Don King said Tuesday. King said he talked with the 55-year-old Foreman last week about the prospects of a fight. "We've got a verbal deal," King said. "He said 'I'm willing to fight one more time."' Foreman has said he's interested in fighting again to show young people that there's no reason to fear getting older. He hasn't fought since 1997, when he lost his heavyweight title to Shannon Briggs. He has spent his time since as a TV pitchman and boxing commentator. "George said he wants to come back to fight again, so what I'm doing is calling him out," King said. "He has the power, boy, he's rewriting history books." Foreman did not immediately return calls seeking comment Tuesday. Foreman would have to get himself into shape, King said, but he didn't expect the former heavyweight champion to have a problem finding a state that would license him to fight. King said no opponent, date or location have been set, although Foreman said last week he'd like any fight to be in his hometown of Houston. Foreman first won the heavyweight title in 1973 by knocking out Joe Frazier. He lost the title the next year to Ali in a bout fought in Zaire known as the "Rumble in Jungle." That fight was the first professional championship bout King promoted. In 1987, after a 10-year retirement, Foreman made his first comeback. Seven years later, at 45, Foreman marked the 20th anniversary of the Ali fight by knocking out Michael Moorer to become the oldest person to win the heavyweight title. He lost the title in the 1997 match against Briggs, leaving the ring with a 76-5 record with 68 knockouts. Forman has been the spokesman for a number of companies for the past several years, and pitched a countertop grills bearing his name. He has also been a ringside commentator for HBO. He announced his interest in a comeback last week in Texas, but said he wasn't getting into the ring until he gets his weight down to 225 pounds. Foreman didn't have a timetable for his return, but did say he wanted just one fight, in Houston. King said he plans to match Foreman against one of his fighters, but wasn't specific about which boxer. "We've got all this together," King said. "The pot of gold is waiting." Unbelievable, why would he fight again? He must have a billion dolllars from all those grills hes sold. __________________ We all have wings, some of us just don't know why.

02-17-2004, 04:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Spartak Bang bang Location: New Zealand	I demand a Forman vs Hollyfield "Battle of the un-retired washups" match!! __________________ I can read your mind... looking at you... I can read your mind...

02-17-2004, 05:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Anomaly_ Insane	You know I used to think that Big George was one of the lucky ones when it came to retiring with one's faculties intact, but he's obviously missing something if he wants to fight again.

02-19-2004, 03:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
bond007 Junkie Location: too far from Texas	how 'bout a Foreman-Holmes matchup?!?!?