𝕏: SerhanOnX
The “coming out party” for many athletes, including boxing, is one where the world is introduced to someone who had greatness written all over them when you see them for the first time. In boxing, it’s more of an eye opener given the “show and tell” aspect of it, at least perception wise.
The perfect case of this took place 52 years ago today in front of 40,000 in Kingston, Jamaica when the world was introduced to “Big” George Foreman when he had the chance to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world against the champion “Smokin’” Joe Frazier. The fight was being sold as the meeting of the “irresistable force vs. the immovable object” as the undefeated champion Frazier (29-0, 25 KOs) met the undefeated no. 1 contender Foreman (37-0, 34 KOs).
Frazier, the 1964 Olympic Gold Medalist, won the heavyweight championship with a 2nd round round knockout over Jimmy Ellis in 1970. After one second defense against the standout light heavyweight Bob Foster where he also won by 2nd round KO, Frazier was set up with the “Fight of the Century” showdown against The Greatest, Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971. In a breathtaking back and forth fight that some called the greatest fight ever, Frazier floored Ali in the 15th round with his signature left hooks and succesfully defended the title with a unanimous decision win. After 2 consecutive wins over Terry Daniels (TKO 4) and Ron Stander (TKO 4), Frazier was set to make the 6th defense of his heavyweight championship Foreman.
Foreman, the 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist, began his career with a string of KOs wins in spectacular fashion with his pure power, including wins over Geroge Chuvalo (TKO 3) and Leroy Caldwell (KO 2), and it was the Caldwell win on September 8, 1971, where Foreman was named the no. 1 heavyweight championship. He would get 6 more KO wins before getting the shot at the title against Frazier.
After their runs to the top of the heavyweight division, the stage was finally set for Frazier and Foreman to meet in the ring on January 22, 1973 at the Kingston Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica. Undefeated, undisputed champion vs. the undefeated, undisputed no. 1 contender in a winner takes all fight with both heavyweight at their peaks.
Going into the fight, virtually everyone would pick Frazier to win, with the odds having Frazier as a 3 1/2 to 1 favorite going in. It was largely due to him winning 10 title fights (the New York State Athleteic Commission title before becoming world champion) and had also gained momentum after beating Ali. Despite Foreman being recognized as Frazier’s most formidable opponent aside of Ali, few gave Foreman a chance to win. Frazier was the powerhouse from Philadelphia with the greatest left hook. Many questioned if Foreman would be able to take it.
However, at an intense face off at the weigh-in, there was a confience in the face of Foreman as he looked relaxed during the face off. Little did the world know now confident he was and what was about to take place in front of close to 40,000 at Kingston, Jamaica.
During the ring introductions and the referee’s instructions, Foreman was calmly looking at Frazier without showing any emotions on the outside. Neither guy showed any fear of the other. After all the wait and a lengthy buildup, we finally got to the bell to begin round 1.
The fight begins with a “feeling out process” in the first minute, with neither fighter doing much either. Fast forward to a minute into the round, a right uppercut and two left hooks by Foreman drive Frazier into the ropes, and Frazier goes on the defensive as Foreman begins to load up with left and rights, til a right uppercut on the side of Frazier’s face put him down 1:40 into the fight. The knockdown would be known forever as the famous quote “Down Goes Frazier!” from Howard Cossell, who called the fight for ABC.
That was just the beginning.
After Frazier beats the count, Foreman calmly start unloading with relentless power in both fists as he kept Frazier on the ropes An uppercut by Foreman to the point of chin with 17 seconds left in the 1st round and Frazier drops to one knee for the second time in the round before he falls on his back. Frazier beats the count, but is dazed and wobbled. As round 1 ended, Foreman put together a right uppercut, left hook combination that sent Frazier down for the third time in the round. Frazier beats the count and the round is finally over.
As round 2 began, and having already scored 3 knockdowns, Foreman picks it up where he left round. After a caution by the referee Arthur Mercante, a right uppercut hurts Frazier and he’s stuck in the corner and Foreman begins to tee off. Another uppercut and a left hooks buckles Frazier. As Frazier is attemping to get away, an overhand right by Foreman puts Frazier down for the 4th time in the fight.
Frazier beats the count, and with the TV camera focused in on his face, he gets nailed by another vicious uppercut by Foreman, followed by a left hooks on the point of the chin and Frazier is down for the 5th time in the fight. Frazier beats the count, but his face and body language was the look of a beaten fighter at that point. Foreman tees off on Frazier against the ropes, landing two flush left hooks, then an uppercut, and Frazier is down for 6th and final time in the fight as the referee stops the fight immediately after the last knockdown.
As a result, George Foreman becames the new heavyweight champion of the world by KO at 1:35 of the second round, becoming the third youngest heavyweight champion ever at the time behind Floyd Patterson and Muhammad Ali. The proud and happy Foreman corner carried him across the crowd in Kingston, Jamaica with Foreman’s hands in the air as he became the champion in arguable his finest hour.
For Foreman, he would make two successful defenses of the championship before losing his title to Ali in the “Rumble in the Jungle” on October 30, 1974. The loss to Ali haunted him for the longest time as he would retired in 1977, then return to the ring in 1987, where he would reach the top of the heavyweight division once again when would regain the heavyweight championship with a 10th round KO win over Michael Moorer on November 5, 1994, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion ever at age 45. The win got him endorsement deals, notably the George Foreman grill, which turned out to be a household product globally.
For Frazier, he would never recapture the heavyweight championship he lost to Foreman on this night. He would lose a rematch to Ali in 1974, followed by his one last shot at the title against Ali at the “Thrilla in Manila” to conclude their epic trilogy in 1975. He and Foreman would meet again in 1976 in a fight where Frazier showed the wear and tear of the hard fights and beatings he took s Foreman pounded him to a 5th round TKO win, effectively ending Frazier’s career.
We always use the analogy “irresistible force meets immovable object” in competitive sports. Especially combat sports. However, on this night in Kingston, Jamaica, Joe Frazier met the irresistable force AND immovable object in one opponent. He happened to floor him 6 times in 2 rounds and took the heavyweight championship of the world from him.
His name: George Foreman.
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