Boxing
Trump, Tyson, Magic Johnson others react to the death of former world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman
Following are quotes and reactions to the death of American Olympic champion and twice heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, who died on Friday at age 76 in Houston, Texas.
U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
“George Foreman is dead. What a GREAT FIGHTER!!! He had, without question, the heaviest and biggest punch in the history of boxing.
“With the exception of Ali, when you got hit, you went down. He was something really special, but above all, he was a Great Person, with a personality that was bigger than life. I knew him well, and he will be missed. Warmest condolences to his wonderful family!!!”
BILLIE JEAN KING, 39-TIME GRAND SLAM TENNIS CHAMPION
“Sad to learn that 2x heavyweight champion boxer, Olympic Gold medalist, and entrepreneur George Forman has passed away. He was a great champion and a good friend.
“He bet on me in the Battle of the Sexes, and acted as a bodyguard to help me after the match when the crowds stormed the court. Our condolences to his family. May he rest in power.”
MIKE TYSON, TWICE HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION
“Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
MAGIC JOHNSON, FIVE-TIMES NBA CHAMPION
“I attended so many of George’s championship fights over his career. He was a knockout artist in the ring, and it was a pleasure getting to know him not only as a boxer but as a man.
“After leaving the ring, he turned into an amazing businessman — I even bought one of the first George Foreman grills! Cookie and I will be praying for his family during this time.”
BOB ARUM, AMERICAN BOXING PROMOTER
“George was a great friend to not only myself but to my entire family. We’ve lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.”
FRANK WARREN, BRITISH BOXING PROMOTER
“I remember in 1990, I brought him over here to London and promoted him here on his comeback trail. He was a joy to work with – he was a fabulous guy. Very, very humble in the way he was, had a lot of time for people. And he was a great fighter.
“He was part of that holy trinity of heavyweight boxers, with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
“The great fights they had between them were special times for boxing and world sport. They’re events that have gone down as not just boxing, but significant moments in the world of sport.”
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL PRESIDENT MAURICIO SULAIMAN
“I was honoured to present George Foreman the WBC Boxing green belt which my father Jose Sulaiman had ready and was in a drawer for more than 30 years.
“Legendary boxing champion, life-changing preacher, Husband, father, grand and great grandfather and the best friend you could have. His memory is now eternal, may Big George rest in peace.”
MICHAEL BUFFER, BOXING RING ANNOUNCER
“I’m totally heartbroken with the news of my dear friend of more than 35 years George Foreman passing away. I’m finding it difficult to deal with. I’ll collect my thoughts and have more to say soon about a man that I (and so many others) loved and respected.”
FRANK BRUNO, BRITISH FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION
“RIP George Foreman… we sparred on a couple of training sessions and I could not believe how strong he was.
“Many have their opinions of some of the top heavyweights ever but for me, he is certainly in the top group. To be a World champion in two different eras tells you how good he was… sad day for world boxing, a true legend.”
HOUSTON MAYOR JOHN WHITMIRE
“George’s journey from the streets of Fifth Ward to boxing and business success was an inspiration.
“He never forgot where he came from … Houston will forever be proud to call George Foreman one of our own.”
-Reuters
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The World Boxing Organisation ordered Ukraine’s world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to open talks with Joseph Parker on Thursday for a mandatory title defence.
Previously undisputed champion Usyk, 38, holds the WBC, WBA and WBO belts after two successive wins over Britain’s Tyson Fury.
New Zealand’s Parker was WBO champion from 2016 to 2018, when he was beaten by Anthony Joshua on a 12-round unanimous decision. The Briton then lost the belt to Usyk in London in September 2021.
Now 33, Parker stopped Congolese replacement Martin Bakole in two rounds in a fight for the WBO Interim belt in Riyadh last month.
The WBO ordered fight negotiations in an email to both boxers’ management, Alex Krassyuk of Team Usyk and Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions, published on the boxing body’s website, opens new tab.
“The parties have 30 days to reach terms. Failure to do so will result in this committee ordering purse bid proceedings in accordance with WBO regulations of world championship contests,” it added.
Britain’s IBF champion Daniel Dubois, who withdrew from a fight with Parker in February due to illness, has also been in talks with Usyk for the undisputed title and is also represented by Warren.
“We are now working on this fight, Wembley as one of the options,” Krassyuk told Sky Sports television on Wednesday.
The WBO’s email, from chairman Luis Batista Salas, was dated March 13.
Dubois lost to the undefeated Usyk in Poland in 2023 but took the IBF belt after the Ukrainian vacated it last year after his first victory over Fury.
-Reuters
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
American Claressa Shields was crowned boxing’s first undisputed world champion in three weight classes on Sunday after beating compatriot Danielle Perkins for the women’s heavyweight title by unanimous decision in front of a home crowd in Flint, Michigan.
Shields, who also won gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, landed a powerful right hand with seconds to go in the 10th and final round, knocking down Perkins and improving her professional career record to 16-0.
The win makes 29-year-old Shields an undisputed champion in a third weight class, adding to her undisputed titles in the middleweight and light-middleweight divisions.
She is the only boxer, man or woman, to achieve the feat.
“It feels unbelievable, to be honest. I had a really hard training camp. And just last Friday, I tore my labrum in my left shoulder, so I wasn’t able to use my good jab today,” Shields said.
“But I didn’t want to call the fight off because I had asked God to give me a big fight in my hometown. He did that. So I decided to keep going through with it.
“I feel so happy. And shout out to my opponent, Danielle Perkins. Man, that girl was strong as hell.”
-Reuters
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
This Monday afternoon, Tyson Fury announced his retirement from boxing for the third time in a fresh bombshell statement.
He announced in a short video which he posted on social media on Monday afternoon.
“Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet,” he said to the camera. “I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing.
“It’s been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it. I’m going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side. Get up!”
Last month, he lost his rematch for the WBA (Super), WBO and WBC world heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk.
The 36-year-old Briton had earlier announced his retirement after beating Dillian Whyte in 2022 but returned six months later. He had also announced retirements in 2013 and 2017 on social media, but both were short-lived.
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Zimbabwe Warriors are in town for battle with Super Eagles
Trump, Tyson, Magic Johnson others react to the death of former world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman
March 22, is not just for AFCON memory, it holds more significance
- Governing Bodies1 week ago
This is my story: Amaju Pinnick opens up on FIFA Council Election
- Table Tennis5 days ago
Tunisia sets benchmark for table tennis tournaments in Africa
- World Cup5 days ago
With Chelle, Osimhen and others in Kigali, Super Eagles camp begins to bubble
- OBITUARY13 hours ago
BREAKING! Boxing great, George Foreman dies at 76
- Governing Bodies1 week ago
After FIFA seat loss, Nigeria must now focus on FIFA World Cup qualification, says Toro
- World Cup2 days ago
BREAKING! Japan becomes the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup
- Nigerian Football7 days ago
ValueJet adds value to Super Eagles’ flights
- World Cup3 days ago
Weapons of mass destruction now fully assembled against Rwanda