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)