In 1994, George Foreman became the oldest boxing world champion

memorable

November 5, 1994: 45-year-old George Foreman hopes to become heavyweight champion of the world for a second time. But opposite him is the seemingly invincible Michael Moore, who has never lost in 34 professional fights and has 30 knockout wins.

follow me

On Saturday night, November 5, 1994, boxing fans from around the world gathered in front of their television screens. 21 years after he first won the world heavyweight title, 20 years after the worst loss of his career in the “Rumble in the Jungle”, George Foreman wants to know this again: 45 years, 9 months and 25 days , he is challenging Michael Moore for the world championship belt in Las Vegas.

High expectations, clear favorite

In terms of explosiveness, this sidebar is hard to beat. The countless spectators in front of the screen and the 15,000 spectators in the Grand Garden of the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas unanimously agreed: history will be made tonight. The invincible Michael Moore must defend his title against living legend George Foreman. Action is inevitable.

The higher the expectations for the fight, the higher the pay for the two leads. Foreman will receive a $5 million tournament bonus and Mueller will receive a $7.5 million bonus.

Muller, 27, is the clear favorite. In his 34 professional fights, he has never lost and won 30 times by knockout. Only a madman would have the guts to step into the ring against the reigning world champion. Or someone who believes in the supernatural. “I had permission from God to kill him,” Foreman, a pastor in Texas, dryly explained.

Looking back on the legendary fight in the Kinshasa jungle, he added: “Twenty years ago, when I lost to Muhammad Ali, I lost the title because I was afraid of killing Ali. In the fight against Muller, that kind of thing It won't happen to me again.”

Michael Moorer is the clear favorite: George Foreman (left) is nowhere near as smooth as his opponent.Image: t-online.de

Waiting for that chance

But that's exactly what happened in the first nine rounds. Muller is more active, more agile and more fit. If the fight had been decided by the referee, Foreman wouldn't have had a chance.

But the old fox, or rather, “the bear” – as Foreman was called during his fight with “The Bee” Ali – would not allow himself to be disturbed and defended with stoic calm. He knows he only has one chance: to win by knockout

Fact: In the tenth round, Mueller got a little cocky and briefly underestimated the lurking Foreman. He quickly sensed the opportunity and lashed out with his left hand. The blow struck and Mueller lost his bearings.

Within seconds, Foreman followed up with a right hook and a right cross that caught Mueller in the corner of his chin. Michael Muller, who was previously considered invincible, collapsed and lost for the first time in his career.

The same pants as back then

George Foreman also fell to the ground. As if he himself no longer truly believed in victory, he knelt in the corner of the ring for several minutes after the victory, thanking Almighty God. He did it and he is the oldest boxing world champion ever.

20 years later, he had to surrender his title to Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa, and 20 years later he won the world championship belt again. The whole thing happened with the same pants he used to defeat Muhammad Ali 20 years ago. Before heading to Vegas, he is said to have told his wife: “Find those old pants, wash them off, I'll wear them and get my title back…”