George Foreman Takes Center Stage in the 2023 Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees

 

George Foreman Takes Center Stage in the 2023 Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees

George Foreman's illustrious career has seen him amass a staggering number of accolades, so much so that even he can't keep track of how many Hall of Fames he's been inducted into. Estimates range from six to possibly seven, but the sheer volume of honors and accomplishments has become a blur over the years.

This Saturday, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, "Big George" will add another prestigious induction to his list, as he becomes a part of the 2023 Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame honorees.

Foreman will be joining a distinguished roster that includes Shannon Briggs, David Tua, Pinklon Thomas, Tracy Harris Patterson, Doug Dewitt, Darroll Wilson, Shamone Alvarez, Jamillia Lawrence, Joe Hand Sr., Matt Howard, Rudy Battle, Benjy Esteves Jr., Arnold Robbins, and Lee Samuels. They will be inducted alongside posthumous pioneers such as Buster Drayton, Marty Feldman, Rocky Castellani, Frankie Polo, Joe Miller, Horace M. Leeds, "KO" Becky O’Neill, and Willie O’Neill.

Remarkably, George Foreman, who boasts an impressive record of 76-5 with 69 knockouts, will be turning 75 on January 10, 2024.

"It's always a tremendous honor," Foreman humbly remarked. "People have been incredibly kind to me, and that's what truly matters. I've always felt like I might be taking something away from someone when I'm inducted into a Hall of Fame. I never set out to achieve that. My focus was always on winning, and when I made my comeback, it was to pay the bills. However, the second time around, I genuinely aspired to become a champion, and I achieved that by knocking out Michael Moorer."

When George Foreman reflects on boxing Hall of Famers, legendary names like Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Jack Dempsey come to mind.

Atlantic City holds a special place in Foreman's heart as it witnessed some of his most memorable fights. His final bout took place there, where he suffered a majority decision loss to Shannon Briggs on November 22, 1997. In 1990, Foreman made quick work of Gerry Cooney, stopping him in just two rounds, and he also secured a decision win over the previously undefeated Lou Savarese, in what turned out to be one of his last fights.

Foreman also faced off against Evander Holyfield in April 1991 for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. One unforgettable moment was during the seventh round of that fight when referee Rudy Battle attempted to intervene, prompting Angelo Dundee to come to Foreman's defense. It remains etched in Foreman's memory as a pivotal moment in Atlantic City.

Atlantic City, for Foreman, is a place brimming with history and sentiment. He recalls the lead-up to the Holyfield fight, with fans worldwide eagerly anticipating his bout. Foreman reveled in the celebrity treatment, with luminaries like Donald Trump in attendance and Bob Arum overseeing the proceedings.

Reflecting on his career, Foreman expresses one regret - not getting the chance to fight Mike Tyson in Atlantic City, despite his earnest efforts to make it happen. He believed that Tyson had everything to lose from such a match-up.

One of Foreman's most cherished memories from Atlantic City comes from his ring walk during the Cooney fight. An old girlfriend in the stands called out a nickname from his days in Houston, Texas, and Foreman couldn't resist the urge to investigate. He stopped his ring walk to acknowledge his friend, a moment that made her night and showcased the genuine, larger-than-life persona of George Foreman. It's not every day a fighter pauses their ring walk to connect with a familiar face in the crowd, but Foreman did just that, leaving an indelible mark on Atlantic City and the world of boxing.