The Boxing History Blog

 George Foreman   On Friday 21st March 2025, the boxing world was left with a huge void when it was announced by his family with a post on Instagram that George Foreman, the former two-time heavyweight champion of the world, had died peacefully. The post read: “Our hearts are broken. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose. "A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two-time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected - a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name - for his family." Tributes poured out from the world’s boxing community, with Mike Tyson saying: “Foreman’s contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.” The Ring Magazine, recently revived by Turki Al-Sheikh, described him as “one of the greatest heavyweights of all time,” adding: “The Ring i...

Mike Tyson Mike Tyson with his mentor Cus D'Amato Introduction - Heavyweights In Despair 15th February 1978 saw Leon Spinks beat Muhammad Ali to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. The rematch saw him being stripped of the WBC version of the crown for not facing mandatory contender Ken Norton, who they installed as their champion. Ali won the return with Spinks and retired, leaving the WBA championship vacant. Whilst Norton lost his WBC title to Larry Holmes on the 09th June 1978 in his first defence, Holmes was able to hold on to that title. The vacant WBA belt was contested between John Tate and Gerrie Coetzee on the 20th October 1979, in Coetzee's home country of South Africa. Tate took the crown via a fifteen round unanimous decision. In March 1980 Tate lost his championship when Mike Weaver stopped him in the fifteenth round. October of the same year saw Holmes make his eighth defence, beating Muhammad Ali in the tenth round in w...