GEORGE FORMAN'S GREAT 5: Champion for 2 rounds
After 37 wins in 37 fights, George Foreman became one of the biggest names in the heavyweight division. It's a miracle that by 1972 he hadn't gotten a single chance to fight for a world title. The American is crushing everything in his path and none of his last 9 opponents have made it past the 4th round. The last 5 survive only until the 2nd, which becomes iconic for Foreman. In 1973, Big George would finally fight for the top of the world. And against one of the stars of the category – Joe Frazier.
Joseph is also undefeated in the pro ring. But some of his successes are far more significant. In 1970, Frazier won the world title from Jimmy Ellis. He later made successful defenses against such giants of the sport as Muhammad Ali, Bob Foster and Ron Stander. His next opponent is Foreman. One of them will lose for the first time.
Experts rate George's chances of victory as 4:1. But from the start, he's been a dominant force in the ring. Already in the first round, Fraser falls to the floor as many as 3 times. Everyone is in shock. No one expected this kind of dominance from Foreman. Still, Joe survives to the second round.
Rest doesn't change much. Foreman continues the aggressive attack. New 3 knockdowns within the same part and a total of 6 in 2 rounds. The judge has no choice. In front of the audience in Kingston (Jamaica), Big George became the heavyweight world champion for the first time in his life after a technical knockout. For this purpose, he spends 5 minutes and 26 seconds in the ring. Much of that time he watches his opponent fight through the pain and try to continue the match. Frazier shows character but doesn't show better boxing skills. Heavyweight has its new king - George Foreman.