Foreman's boxing career spans decades. In the 1970s, he became the undisputed heavyweight champion, beating big names like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. He retired in 1977 but came back to the ring about ten years later.
In 1994, Foreman made history. At 45, he became the oldest heavyweight champion ever when he knocked out Michael Moorer to win the WBA and IBF titles. The knockout was brutal and unexpected.
But Foreman's reign didn't last long. He soon gave up the WBA belt rather than face mandatory challenger Tony Tucker. Speaking at the Oxford Union, Foreman explained his decision:
"They tried to force me to fight Tony Tucker after I'd beaten Michael Moorer and I remember looking at Tony Tucker and saying 'momma didn't raise no fools'. I'm not fighting him, and they took the titles. Some people I'm not going to fight. That's the good reason, I didn't want to fight him. Too tough. I've got to tell the truth."
Tucker was a formidable opponent. He'd won his first 34 fights with one no contest and held the IBF heavyweight title. He lost that belt to Mike Tyson in a unification bout in 1987 but bounced back with 14 straight wins to earn another title shot.
After Foreman gave up the WBA title, Tucker got his chance. He fought Bruce Seldon for the vacant belt in 1995 but lost by stoppage in the seventh round. Tucker retired in 1998 with a record of 57 wins, 7 losses, and one no contest.
Foreman's honesty about avoiding Tucker shows the tough decisions fighters sometimes make. It's a rare glimpse into the strategic thinking behind title defenses and the respect boxers have for particularly challenging opponents.