‘It Was Death to a Fighter to Realize…’: 73-Year-Old George Foreman, Who Holds the Record for Being the Oldest Heavyweight Champ, Once Made a Startling Revelation

Age plays a huge factor when it comes to combat sports. You have to start at the right age to succeed well as an athlete. However, there have been instances in the past where a fighter retires at the age of 35, while someone aged the same makes his debut. Similarly, boxing legend George Foreman shocked the world when he was crowned the oldest Heavyweight champion in the sport. 

The boxer first sought retirement from the sport in 1977, following his loss to Jimmy Young. But more than a decade later, Foreman returned to boxing and became the world heavyweight champion for the second time on November 5th, 1994. Reportedly, he won the title at 45 and lost it at 46. 

Reportedly, the American boxer was looking forward to making his third return to boxing, but his wife talked him out of it. He told TMZ Sports, “I was 55 years old. I was in shape and everything. [My wife] says, ‘You’re not going to do anything like that.’ I said, ‘I’m telling you, you can’t tell me what to do. I can still—I said, don’t you believe in me? Look at me, I can still do it!’

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He further added, “She said, ‘George, isn’t that the way you want to leave the sport, believing that you can still do it?’ I got closure right there, and I walked away, and it was death to a fighter to realize you’re never gonna fight anymore.”

George Foreman shares his insights on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight 

Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. squared off inside the boxing ring in November 2020. It was an exhibition bout that took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Tyson was 54 at the time, and Jones Jr. was 51. Although both the fighters were sensational during their heyday, many people were worried about their health this time around.

Foreman shed some light on the subject and said, “There’s a time when you gotta worry about your health, but it’s a beautiful thing that they would even come out.”

“Maybe they can even name a charity or something for the recipient of the funds. I think it’s good to come out, but it’s gotta be a fun thing, but I hope one does not hurt the other,” he added.

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Well, Tyson and Jones Jr. both were fine at the end of the fight as no one got hurt severely. Meanwhile, what do you think about Foreman’s remarks? Let us know in the comments below.