Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, November 6, 1994                   TAG: 9411100048
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: D-1   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LAS VEGAS                                 LENGTH: Medium

BY GEORGE, FOREMAN DID IT!

In a real-life boxing fairy tale, Foreman, who will turn 46 on Jan.10, won the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association titles Saturday night, 20 years, six days after he had lost the undisputed heavyweight championship to Muhammad Ali in Zaire.

Foreman appeared hopelessly beaten when he landed a left-right combination to the jaw that dropped Moorer flat on his back with his arms outstretched.

Moorer barely moved and referee Joe Cortez completed the historic countdown at 2 minutes, 3 seconds.

Foreman knelt in prayer in a neutral corner after Moorer was counted out.

``I exorcised the ghost [of Ali] once and forever,'' Foreman said amid a wild celebration in the ring.

``It's like the song `When You Wish Upon a Star,''' he said. ``Your dreams come true.

``I had the power. No one can take punches like that. I had to punish, punish, punish.''

The boxer-turned-preacher-turned-actor-turned-champion became the oldest man to win the heavyweight championship. ``Jersey'' Joe Walcott was a comparatively young 37 when he won the title by knocking out Ezzard Charles in 1951.

The shocking victory came in Foreman's first fight in 17 months. The last one had been a loss to Tommy Morrison on a decision.

The long layoff caused many people to wonder if Foreman deserved a shot at the championship.

Before the fight, Foreman said ``One of these days - it may be Nov.6 - people will be saying, `He [Foreman] got this title shot because he deserved it.'''

They were saying it on the night of Nov.5. And they were chanting his name and rejoicing at the MGM Grand Hotel in the wake of a truly stunning victory.

``I got lackadaisical,'' said Moorer (35-1). ``I just got caught. It's a part of boxing. I'm going to have to live with it.''

For nine rounds, it was Foreman who took the punishment. His left eye was closing and he looked like an old man who should have stuck to television commercials. The Associated Press had Moorer leading 89-82.

Then, in the 10th round, the 5-2 underdog almost brought down the house.

``I don't care if the odds are 100-0,'' Foreman (73-4) had said. ``I'm going to knock him out.''

The preacher knew of what he spoke.

``He didn't see the punch coming,'' said Teddy Atlas, Moorer's trainer. ``That was the best punch George threw all night. That's what we were afraid of.''