Foreman back to ring with love in his fists

Foreman back to ring with love in his fists

JAKARTA (JP): Let's hope God doesn't mind hearing fighting
preacher George Foreman jokingly say that he preaches because
there is always food for preachers.

Food seems to be his obsession.

American boxer Foreman, who is here for a week-long visit at
the invitation of the private-owned television RCTI and local
promoter A Seng, said he's also here to do some eating, not to
fight or preach as some people have said.

When asked at a press conference here yesterday for the recipe
to become a good boxer, Foreman said he fought because he was
broke and because his children were asking for food.

He also said that if Muhammad Ali is the greatest, he is the
fattest.

He said he would have preferred being a golfer or carpenter,
but that all he knew was how to hit.

While boxing brought him food, his son is planning another way
to get food.

The 47-year-old boxer, brought here at a budget of nearly Rp 1
billion (US$545,000), seems to be very attached to his son George
Foreman Jr. George said that his son, who is accompanying him on
his tour to Indonesia, is not going to be a boxer like him.

"He's now in college. He can learn to be a boxing manager, so
he can earn money without being hit," said Foreman.

Born in Marshall, Texas, on Jan. 10, 1949, Foreman became the
oldest heavyweight champion in history when he knocked out
Michael Moorer in November last year for the International Boxing
Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) titles.

He gave up his WBA crown, however, by choosing to fight German
Axel Schultz instead of number one contender Tony Tucker. Foreman
won a controversial point decision over little-known Schultz.
When the IBF granted Schultz a rematch, Foreman lost his
remaining crown for failing to fight the rematch.

Becoming a preacher did change his attitude toward boxing.

He told a press conference here yesterday that when he entered
the boxing world around 25 years ago he always fought with a
desire to "kill".

"But now, after my comeback in 1987, I go to the ring with
love in my heart," said Foreman, who seemed to be in a good mood
and was very humorous.

"And every time I beat someone, I say I love you, I love you,
I'm sorry, but I love you. So, go to sleep now brother," he added
jokingly.

But is it easy to be a preacher and a boxer at the same time?

"No, just come to listen to me on Sundays and come to see me
on Monday in the ring," said Foreman.

Foreman's Indonesia tour, which will include visits to
Surabaya and Bali, is supposed to be his farewell tour. However,
yesterday he told Indonesian journalists that he is not yet
retired.

The boxer nicknamed "Big George" and the "preaching fighter",
who is also a grandfather, even suggested that the international
world of boxing make a resolution that boxers do not have to
retire until turning 65.

Adding that his visit to Indonesia is not either to box or to
preach -- though he is scheduled to visit the Christian church
Emmanuel in Central Jakarta today -- Foreman emphasized that his
tour is only to see "this great nation and great country which is
led by a great leader".

"I want my son to see this great country, it is surely a work
of God. And we will go to Bali too. I know it's a home for
lovers, so my son will come back here for his honeymoon someday,"
said Foreman.(als)