THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 18, 1995 TAG: 9505180839
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Being George Foreman means never having to worry about the politics of boxing.
The World Boxing Association strips him of his title for failing to make a mandatory defense? No problem.
The World Boxing Council elevates Mike Tyson, who hasn't stepped into a ring in four years, to its No. 1 contender?
``I think it's great,'' Foreman said. ``Tyson's a good boxer.''
Being George Foreman even means you don't really have to get it done in the ring. Germany's Axel Schultz pounded his face into a virtually unrecognizable blob before losing a controversial decision in Foreman's last defense. But for $25 million, George is willing to do it all over again.
``Bankers used to walk past me like a freight train past a hobo,'' the WBA world heavyweight champion said. ``Now they're like, Hey, George!''
Bankers aren't the only ones happy to see George Foreman these days. Some 700 people turned out at The Founders Inn and Convention Center Tuesday as the ``people's champion'' stopped in to tape an episode of ``The 700 Club,'' which will air Tuesday at 10 p.m., and sign copies of ``By George,'' Foreman's autobiography that hit stores Monday.
The book chronicles Foreman's rise from a troubled childhood to an Olympic, then world heavyweight champion, his shocking loss to Muhammad Ali, his retirement from the ring, his becoming a preacher, his re-emergence on the heavyweight scene 10 years later, and finally, at age 46, his shocking 10th-round knockout of Michael Moorer last November to become the oldest man ever to win the world heavyweight title.
Several of the spectators who took in Tuesday's taping cringe at the mere thought of a boxing match. Few knew which organization's world title belt Foreman held. But they formed a line that snaked around the walls of the Convention Center for a chance to have Foreman personalize a copy of ``By George.''
CBN media relations director Patty Richardson said roughly 600 books were sold Tuesday.
``He seems to have a sensibility about him, but it's backed up with so much strength,'' said Norfolk's Diane Aldridge, who was playing hooky from work to meet Big George. ``It's an interesting contradiction, and I think he's an interesting man.''
``I admire him for following his dreams,'' said Roxanne Wing, a registered nurse, while cradling two copies of Foreman's book. ``I sort of want to say enough is enough, but he obviously has other ideas and I admire him for it.''
Foreman backed off from an opportunity to rip the WBA for stripping him of its portion of his world title.
``I think all the organizations are great for boxing,'' he said. ``They give a lot of people a chance to fight.''
Don't expect to see Foreman fighting Tyson, though. Besides Foreman's intense dislike for Tyson promoter Don King, Tyson's boxing timetable calls for a few tuneup fights before taking a title shot. Foreman insists he will probably give Schultz a rematch ``for $25 million,'' then retire at the end of the year.
``You can offer me $100 million,'' Foreman said. ``There's no way I'm fighting after this year.''
Similar statements have been made by Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Louis, Alexis Arguello, Larry Holmes and a host of other boxing champions who have later done an about-face and returned to the ring.
But if anyone can say goodbye to boxing and not look back, this might be the guy.
For while he said it's fun to be known as George Foreman, world heavyweight champion, the ease with which he held court here suggests it's even more fun just being George Foreman.
ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
FORMING A LINE TO MEET FOREMAN
BILL TIERNAN
Staff photos
George Foreman signs a copy of his book for Virginia Beach police
officer Frances Gardner at The Founders Inn Wednesday.
Holding a book, a woman waits for Foreman to sign it.
by CNB