'A good man' - Michael Moorer reflects on historic world title fight against George Foreman

Known as 'Big George', Foreman was a part of a golden period in boxing sharing the heavyweight stage with the likes of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier who collectively defined an era in the sport. 

Foreman played a part in one of boxing's most historic and iconic events.

The Rumble in the Jungle in 1974 saw Foreman lose his world heavyweight title to Ali in Zaire, but 20 years later, Foreman made history. 

• Read next | 'I loved him' - Legendary commentator Jim Lampley and Mike Tyson lead George Foreman tributes

At the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Foreman became the oldest world heavyweight champion at the age of 45 when he knocked out Michael Moorer in the tenth round of their IBF heavyweight title fight. 

This record is yet to be broken and speaking to BoxNation following the news about Foreman's death, Moorer had nothing but praise for his former rival. 

"The fight was an epic fight because it was ‘Big George’ Foreman against Michael Moorer," Moorer said.

"George is losing the fight, everybody saw that he was losing the fight, but it showed the tenacity he had to come back and be successful and win the fight to become the oldest heavyweight champion in the history of boxing.

"George back then was a man, his structure was a man’s structure, he was just an overall good man. There were a lot of people that looked up to him, a lot of people that respected him, it’s unfortunate."

While Foreman's record still stands when it comes to being the oldest world heavyweight champion, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has often expressed a desire to bring former unified champion Wladimir Klitshcko out of retirement for a world title fight in an attempt to beat this record set by 'Big George'.

However, it looks like any chance of Klitschko lacing up the gloves once again is not likely to happen after stating that current WBA, WBC and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk will keep him retired from the sport. 

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