Editing George Foreman (section)

===First reign as heavyweight champion===
====Foreman vs. Frazier====
{{Main|Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman}}

In 1972, still undefeated and with an impressive knockout record, Foreman was set to challenge undefeated and [[Undisputed Champion|undisputed]] World Heavyweight Champion [[Joe Frazier]]. Despite boycotting a title elimination caused by the vacancy resulting from the championship being stripped from [[Muhammad Ali]], Frazier had won the title from [[Jimmy Ellis (boxer)|Jimmy Ellis]] and defended his title four times since, including a 15-round unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Ali in 1971 after Ali had beaten [[Oscar Bonavena]] and [[Jerry Quarry]]. Despite Foreman's superior size and reach, he was not expected to beat Frazier and was a 3:1 underdog going into the fight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=561&more=1 |title=Why I Don't Believe Those Who Say They Picked Foreman Over Frazier |publisher=Eastsideboxing.com |date=January 21, 1973 |access-date=September 29, 2012 |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710164244/http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=561&more=1 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Sunshine Showdown took place on January 22, 1973, in [[Kingston, Jamaica]], with Foreman dominating the fight to win the championship by [[TKO]]. In ABC's rebroadcast, [[Howard Cosell]] made the memorable call, "Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!" Before the fight, Frazier was 29–0 (25 KO) and Foreman was 37–0 (34 KO). Frazier was knocked down six times by Foreman within two rounds (the three-knockdown rule was not in effect for this bout). After the second knockdown, Frazier's balance and mobility were impaired to the extent that he was unable to evade Foreman's combinations. Frazier managed to get to his feet for all six knockdowns, but referee [[Arthur Mercante, Sr.|Arthur Mercante]] eventually called an end to the one-sided bout.<ref name=jamaica-gleaner>{{cite web |title=Frazier vs. Foreman – On the Sunshine Island, January 22, 1973 |first=Rebecca |last=Tortello |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0040.htm |publisher=Jamaica Gleaner |date=January 13, 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202120044/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0040.htm |archive-date=December 2, 2014}}</ref>

====Foreman vs. Roman====
{{Main|George Foreman vs. José Roman}}

Foreman was sometimes characterized by the media as an aloof and antisocial champion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/george-foreman/bio |title=George Foreman Bio |access-date=April 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305135640/http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/George-Foreman/bio |archive-date=March 5, 2010}}</ref> They said he sneered and was rarely available to the press. Foreman later said he was emulating former world champion and occasional sparring partner [[Sonny Liston]]. Foreman defended his title successfully twice during his initial reign as champion. His first defense, in Tokyo, pitted him against [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] Heavyweight Champion [[José Roman (boxer)|José Roman]]. Roman was not regarded as a top contender, but had managed to beat a few decent fighters such as EBU champion Spain Jose Manuel Urtain, and was ranked the number-seven heavyweight in the March 1973 issue of ''The Ring''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1972 |title=The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: 1972 |access-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225235810/https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1972 |url-status=live }}</ref> Foreman won the fight in only two minutes.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087747/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110928154454/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087747/index.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |title=It Takes Two To Tangle |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=September 10, 1973}}</ref>

====Foreman vs. Norton====
{{Main|George Foreman vs. Ken Norton}}

Foreman's next defense was against a much tougher opponent. In 1974, in [[Caracas]], [[Venezuela]], he faced the highly regarded future hall-of-famer [[Ken Norton]] (who was 30–2), a boxer noted for his heavy punch and crossed-armed defense (a style Foreman emulated in his comeback), who had broken the jaw of Muhammad Ali in a points victory a year earlier. Norton had performed well against Ali in their two matches, winning the first on points and narrowly losing the second. (Norton developed a reputation for showing nerves against heavy hitters, largely beginning with this fight.)  After an even first round, Foreman staggered Norton with an uppercut a minute into round two, buckling him into the ropes. Norton did not hit the canvas, but continued on wobbly legs, clearly not having recovered, and shortly he went down a further two times in quick succession, with the referee intervening and stopping the fight.<ref>{{cite news |title =Foreman Punches Norton Out in 2— Champion Puts Challenger on Floor 3 Times |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 27, 1974 |page=III-1}} ("... the champion pounded him to the canvas, forcing the referee to stop the bout at the two-minute mark of the second round.")</ref>

There was considerable controversy after the fight as both fighters ran into unexpected trouble with the Venezuelan government. The fight had been made in Venezuela on the basis that all taxes would be waived. However, a day after the fight, the government renounced the offer.<ref name="CaracasCaper">{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19740330&id=c5keAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jMwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=917,5588549 |title=Caracas Caper: Champ, Challenger Expected to Leave Venezuela |publisher=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |date=March 30, 1974}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19740401&id=p85dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f14NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1858,127000 |title=Norton Returns to U.S.: KO King Foreman Still Waiting for Decision on Taxes |publisher=Observer-Reporter |date=April 1, 1974 |pages=C7 |location=[[Washington, Pennsylvania]]}}</ref> The tax problems led to the fight being dubbed the "Caracas Caper".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sport360.com/article/other/more-sports/171344/on-this-day-march-26-1974-george-foreman-knocks-out-ken-norton-the-caracas-caper |title=On this day: March 26, 1974: George Foreman knocks out Ken Norton 'The Caracas Caper' |publisher=Sport360 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014060507/https://sport360.com/article/other/more-sports/171344/on-this-day-march-26-1974-george-foreman-knocks-out-ken-norton-the-caracas-caper |archive-date=October 14, 2021 |date=March 25, 2016}}</ref><ref name="CaracasCaper"/>

====Foreman vs. Ali====
{{Main|The Rumble in the Jungle}}
[[File:George Foreman 1974.jpg|thumb|upright|A cut to Foreman's right eye on September 18, 1974, postponed the bout for a month]]
[[File:George Foreman and Archie Moore 1974.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Foreman with trainer [[Archie Moore]] on September 10, 1974, on the way to Kinshasa for his fight with [[Muhammad Ali]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Lance |quote=Lance Pugmire is the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''{{'}} former boxing/MMA/Ducks beat |date=June 4, 2016 |title=Underestimating Muhammad Ali was the mistake of a lifetime, George Foreman says |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-muhammad-ali-george-foreman-friendship-20160604-snap-story.html |access-date=March 22, 2025 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
Foreman's next title defense, on October 30, 1974, in [[Kinshasa]], [[Zaire]], against [[Muhammad Ali]], was historic. The bout, promoted as "[[The Rumble in the Jungle]]", exceeded even its wildest expectations.<ref name="WBA1"/> During training there in mid-September Foreman suffered a cut above his eye, forcing postponement of the match for a month. The injury affected his training regimen, as it meant he could not spar in the build-up to the fight and risk the cut's being reopened. He later commented: "That was the best thing that happened to Ali when we were in Africa—the fact that I had to get ready for the fight without being able to box."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1090594/4/index.htm |publisher=CNN |title=Video |date=December 15, 1975 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115202805/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1090594/4/index.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2010}}</ref> Ali used this time to tour Zaire, endearing himself to the public, while taunting Foreman at every opportunity.<ref>{{cite web |title=50 years since epic Rumble in the Jungle |url=https://apimagesblog.com/historical/2024/10/16/50-years-since-epic-rumble-in-the-jungle |website=AP Photos |access-date=March 27, 2025 |date=October 25, 2024}}</ref> Foreman was favored, having crushed undefeated heavyweight champion [[Joe Frazier]] and toppled formidable challenger [[Ken Norton]] both within two rounds.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barton |first1=Jamie |title=Rumble in the Jungle: The fight that defined a decade, 50 years on |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/30/sport/rumble-in-the-jungle-50-years-on-spt-intl/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en |date=October 30, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Foreman tira golpe a clay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Ali doing the "[[rope-a-dope]]" to avoid Foreman's formidable power]]
When Foreman and Ali finally met in the ring, Ali began more aggressively than expected, outscoring Foreman with superior punching speed. In the second round, Ali retreated to the ropes, shielding his head and hitting Foreman in the face at every opportunity. Foreman dug vicious body punches into Ali's sides; however, Foreman was unable to land many big punches to Ali's head. The ring ropes were unusually loose, and Foreman later charged that [[Angelo Dundee]] (Ali's longtime trainer) had loosened them as part of Ali's tactic to lean back and away from the wild swings before [[clinch fighting|clinching]] Foreman behind the head; Dundee stated that not only did he tighten the ropes because they were so loose due to the heat, Ali came up with the "rope-a-dope" strategy entirely on his own.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/oct/30/from-the-vault-poetry-rumble-in-jungle |title=From the Vault: The poetry of the Rumble in the Jungle |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=October 30, 2012}}</ref> Ali had been known as a fighter of speed and movement, but the [[rope-a-dope]] technique worked exactly to plan, since Foreman had not had a fight that lasted past the fourth round since 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/insider/extras/2015/10/30/muhammad-ali-george-foreman-rumble-jungle/74872666/|title=Flashback: Ali, Foreman 'Rumble in the Jungle'|first=Jeff|last=Faughender|website=The Courier-Journal}}</ref>

Ali continued to take heavy punishment to the body in exchange for the opportunity to land a hard jolt to Foreman's head. Ali later said he was "out on his feet" twice during the bout. As Foreman began to tire, his punches began to lose power and became increasingly wild. By mid-bout an increasingly confident Ali began to taunt the exhausted champion relentlessly, who had been reduced to mere pawing and landing harmless rubber-armed blows. Late in the eighth round Ali came off the ropes with a series of successively harder and more accurate right hooks to the side and back of Foreman's head, leaving him dazed and careening backwards. After a lightning two-punch flurry squared him up, Ali ended the bout with a combination of solid left hook and straight right flush to the jaw that sent Foreman windmilling hard to the canvas,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUrZp-rWOgU |title=Ali vs Foreman Round 8 Knockout |date=August 30, 2012 |last=GundamIndex |access-date=March 22, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref> the first time he had been down in his career. At the stoppage, Ali led on all three scorecards by 68–66, 70–67, and 69–66.<ref name="WBA1">{{cite web |last1=Cova |first1=Jesús |title=8 years after Ali's death |url=https://www.wbaboxing.com/boxing-news/8-years-after-alis-death |publisher=World Boxing Association |access-date=March 27, 2025 |date=June 3, 2024}}</ref>

Foreman later reflected, "it just wasn't my night".<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1974 |title=Ex-Champ Makes An Appearance |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-news-ex-champ-makes-an-appearance/148782164/ |access-date=June 5, 2024 |work=[[The Sun News]] |pages=7–A |agency=[[United Press International]] |archive-date=June 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605231601/https://www.newspapers.com/image/822804738 |url-status=live }}</ref> Foreman later also claimed he was drugged by his trainer prior to the bout.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2878507 |title=Foreman claims he was drugged before loss to Ali – boxing |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=May 22, 2007 |access-date=September 29, 2012}}</ref> Though he sought a rematch with Ali, he was unable to secure one. In some quarters it was suggested Ali was ducking him,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=7566&more=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060722004933/http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=7566&more=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2006 |date=July 11, 2006 |author=Green, Barry |title=Tuesday Night Fight Talk: Did Ali duck Foreman rematch? |work=East Side Boxing}}</ref> while taking on low-risk opponents such as [[Chuck Wepner]], [[Richard Dunn (boxer)|Richard Dunn]], [[Jean Pierre Coopman]], and [[Alfredo Evangelista]]. However, Ali also fought formidable opponents, such as [[Ron Lyle]], and accepted rematches with Frazier and [[Ken Norton]], the only two men to have beaten him up until that time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad Ali |url=https://fightfax.com/profiles/muhammad-ali-991103 |website=fightfax.com |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>