Latest news with #GeorgeForemanGrill
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hulk Hogan Claims He Was The Catalyst For Wrestlers Getting Entrance Music In WWE
Image Credit: WWE Hulk Hogan has claimed he was the catalyst for wrestlers getting entrance music in WWE. Hogan recently appeared on Try That in a Small Town Podcast to talk about his journey from an aspiring rock star to one of pro wrestling's greatest attractions. Advertisement During the conversation, the multi-time Hall of Famer claimed he was denied entrance music for his career-defining MSG bout against the Iron Sheik by the WWE. However, Hogan says he pushed it through by paying a production guy to play 'Eye of the Tiger' for his entrance. Hulk Hogan says he paid $500 to make sure he got music 'The cool thing about it was they told me no music,' Hogan said. 'So I went to the sound guy and said, 'The hell with this.' [I get] 'Eye of the Tiger' cranking. I gave him 500 bucks. And when that music started, that dump, dump, dump, dump, the roof of the place blew off. 'Then I told Vince, 'Man, I've been selling merchandise, T-shirts and headbands and hats and koozies and wristbands and making a ton of money doing it because nobody else is the man.' Vince picked up on it real quick and it just took off. And then everybody wanted entrance music. So Jimmy Hart sat up all night, most nights, writing entrance music for all the wrestlers.' Advertisement It's unclear how much, if any, of Hogan's story is true. He did use 'Eye of the Tiger' for a brief period before transitioning to his classic 'Real American' theme song. That song, however, was not written for Hogan, as it was originally used for Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda. For years, Hulk Hogan claimed a missed phone call was the reason he missed out on putting his name on the famed George Foreman Grill. However, that claim was recently debunked. Bret Hart also recently revealed the most truthful thing Hulk Hogan has ever said. RELATED: 'Greatest' Lies Hulk Hogan Has Told The post Hulk Hogan Claims He Was The Catalyst For Wrestlers Getting Entrance Music In WWE appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Chicago Tribune
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Boxing legend George Foreman remembered for his love of family, faith and cheeseburgers
HOUSTON — George Foreman was remembered Monday in a memorial service in his hometown of Houston for his legendary boxing career as well as for his love of God, family, horses and cheeseburgers and for his desire to help his fellow man. 'He preached love all the time. That's what this life is all about. It's all about love and George was pure because George lived and believed what he preached,' said James Douglas, a longtime friend and former president of Texas Southern University in Houston. During a nearly 1½ hour memorial service, Foreman's family and friends recalled anecdotes about a man who was a two-time boxing heavyweight champion but who was also a pastor who delivered life-affirming sermons at his church in northeast Houston and a savvy businessman best known for the George Foreman Grill. Foreman even addressed the crowd posthumously at the Wortham Theater Center, a performing arts center that hosted the memorial, with audio messages recorded previously. 'Winning and losing can never assure a lasting smile. But saying to the face you see daily, 'I did my best,' can,' Foreman said on the recording. Many of the people who spoke at the memorial, including George Foreman IV, one of five sons of the boxing legend, highlighted the importance of faith in the elder Foreman's life and how God guided his efforts to help others. ''How well do I remember how Jesus brought me through? I prayed, I walked a night or two. I said, Lord, why don't you take and use me? That's all that I can do. I give my life to Jesus, what about you?' That was a song my grandmother gave to my father. He was going through a hard time. So now I've given it to you,' George Foreman IV said as his four brothers stood behind him. Foreman had 12 children, including five sons who are all famously named George Edward Foreman. 'Rest well, dad. We will carry your love with us always,' said George Foreman IV, who is also a pastor. Former boxer Michael Moorer, who Foreman defeated in 1994 to become the oldest man at age 45 to win the heavyweight championship, told the crowd that the two went from being competitors to having a relationship 'built on respect for over 30 years.' 'George was a champion in life. His faith transformed the shy country boy from Texas to a successful businessman and a voice for the less fortunate,' Moorer said. Dr. Adan Rios, a longtime friend of the boxing great, recalled how Foreman bought land to create a food bank for AIDS patients and donated $1.7 million to help treat adolescent patients with cancer. Foreman died on March 21 at age 76. Foreman's family has not disclosed his cause of death, only saying on social media that he 'peacefully departed … surrounded by loved ones.' Born in Marshall, Texas, Foreman was raised in Houston's Fifth Ward, one of the city's historically Black neighborhoods. He began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist in 1968, turning pro the next year. Foreman became the heavyweight champion of the world when he beat Joe Frazier in 1973. But he lost the title the following year when Muhammad Ali beat Foreman in the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight in Zaire. Foreman then gave up boxing and after a religious awakening, became an ordained minister in 1978. He began preaching in Houston, later founding The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1980. The middle-aged fighter returned to the ring after a 10-year absence and in 1994 pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts in boxing history, flooring Moorer — 19 years his junior — with a surgical right hand to claim Moorer's two heavyweight belts. Foreman retired in 1997 with a 76-5 career record. He then moved on to the next chapter in his life as a businessman, pitchman and occasional actor. He became known to a new generation as the face of the George Foreman Grill. The simple cooking machine sold more than 100 million units and brought him more wealth than boxing. A biographical movie based on his life was released in 2023. 'Of all the traits that I could mention, his faith, his family, his boxing career, his business career, the one that stands out to me as a friend of George Foreman, he never forgot where he came from,' said Houston Mayor John Whitmire.
Boston Globe
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Boxing legend George Foreman to be honored at Houston memorial service
'We're going to celebrate the life of George Foreman, two-time heavyweight champion of the world and certainly the face of how great Houston is,' Whitmire said. Advertisement Foreman died on March 21 at age 76. Foreman's family has not disclosed his cause of death, only saying on social media that he 'peacefully departed … surrounded by loved ones.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Born in Marshall, Texas, Foreman was raised in Houston's Fifth Ward, one of the city's historically Black neighborhoods. He began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist in 1968, turning pro the next year. Foreman became the heavyweight champion of the world when he beat Joe Frazier in 1973. But he lost the title the following year when Muhammad Ali beat Foreman in the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight in Zaire. Foreman then gave up boxing and after a religious awakening, became an ordained minister in 1978. He began preaching in Houston, later founding The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1980. Advertisement The middle-aged fighter returned to the ring after a 10-year absence and in 1994 pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts in boxing history, flooring Moorer — 19 years his junior — with a surgical right hand to claim Moorer's two heavyweight belts. Foreman retired in 1997 with a 76-5 career record. He then moved to the next chapter in his life as a businessman, pitchman and occasional actor. He became known to a new generation as the face of the George Foreman Grill. The simple cooking machine sold more than 100 million units and brought him more wealth than boxing. A biographical movie based on his life was released in 2023. Foreman had 12 children, including five sons who are all famously named George Edward Foreman.
The Independent
14-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Boxing legend George Foreman to be honored at Houston memorial service
Family, friends and the public are preparing to remember boxing legend, pastor and entrepreneur George Foreman during a memorial service in his hometown of Houston. George Foreman IV, one of five sons of the boxing legend, along with Houston Mayor John Whitmire and former boxer Michael Moorer, who Foreman defeated in 1994 to become the oldest man at age 45 to win the heavyweight championship, are expected to speak at the service Monday. The service will be hosted by Foreman's family and the city of Houston at the Wortham Theater Center, a performing arts center that is home to the city's ballet and opera companies. 'We're going to celebrate the life of George Foreman, two-time heavyweight champion of the world and certainly the face of how great Houston is,' Whitmire said. Foreman died on March 21 at age 76. Foreman's family has not disclosed his cause of death, only saying on social media that he 'peacefully departed … surrounded by loved ones.' Born in Marshall, Texas, Foreman was raised in Houston's Fifth Ward, one of the city's historically Black neighborhoods. He began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist in 1968, turning pro the next year. Foreman became the heavyweight champion of the world when he beat Joe Frazier in 1973. But he lost the title the following year when Muhammad Ali beat Foreman in the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight in Zaire. Foreman then gave up boxing and after a religious awakening, became an ordained minister in 1978. He began preaching in Houston, later founding The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1980. The middle-aged fighter returned to the ring after a 10-year absence and in 1994 pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts in boxing history, flooring Moorer — 19 years his junior — with a surgical right hand to claim Moorer's two heavyweight belts. Foreman retired in 1997 with a 76-5 career record. He then moved to the next chapter in his life as a businessman, pitchman and occasional actor. He became known to a new generation as the face of the George Foreman Grill. The simple cooking machine sold more than 100 million units and brought him more wealth than boxing. A biographical movie based on his life was released in 2023. Foreman had 12 children, including five sons who are all famously named George Edward Foreman. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at juanlozano70.
Gulf Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
George Foreman, former fearsome heavyweight champion, dies at 76
George Foreman became the heavyweight champion of the world in his 20s, only to lose his belt to Muhammad Ali in perhaps the most memorable fight in boxing history. A full 20 years later in 1994, the 45-year-old Foreman became the oldest man to win the heavyweight championship, throwing one perfect combination to steal Michael Moorer's title in an epic upset. Few fighters ever had more big moments than Big George Foreman – and even after he finally left the ring, he was only getting started. The fearsome heavyweight, who lost the "Rumble in the Jungle' to Ali before his inspiring second act as a surprising champion and a successful businessman, died on Friday night. Foreman was 76. George Foreman, left, hits Michael Moorer in the face with a left during the second round of their heavyweight championship fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. File/Associated Press His family announced his death on social media, not saying how or where he died. A humanitarian and Olympian "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," his family wrote. "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.' A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medallist who inspired fear and awe as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. George Foreman, centre, lands a body punch to Muhammad Ali during fight action in Zaire, Africa, on Oct. 30, 1974. Associated Press His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt. Foreman left the sport a few years later, but returned after a 10-year absence and a self-described religious awakening. The middle-aged fighter then pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts in boxing history, flooring Moorer – 19 years his junior – with a surgical right hand and claiming Moorer's two heavyweight belts. Foreman's 20 years is easily the longest gap between heavyweight title reigns. Foreman's transformation into an inspirational figure was complete, and he fought only four more times – finishing 76-5 with 68 knockouts - before moving onto his next career as a genial businessman, pitchman and occasional actor. George Foreman Grill Outside the ring, he was best known as the face of the George Foreman Grill, which launched in the same year as his victory over Moorer. The simple cooking machine sold more than 100 million units and made him much wealthier than his sport ever did. "George was a great friend to not only myself, but to my entire family,' Top Rank president Bob Arum said. "We've lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.' Former heavyweight champion George Foreman In the first chapter of his boxing career, Foreman was nothing like the smiling grandfather who hawked his grills on television to great success. Petty crime Foreman dabbled in petty crime while growing up in Houston's Fifth Ward, but changed his life through boxing. He made the US Olympic team in 1968 and won gold in Mexico City as a teenager, stopping a 29-year-old opponent in a star-making performance. Foreman rose to the pinnacle of the pro game over the next five years, but was also perceived as an aloof, unfriendly athlete, both through his demeanour and through the skewed racial lenses of the time. Jim Lampley, the veteran boxing broadcaster who worked alongside Foreman for many years at HBO, told The Associated Press on Friday night that Foreman's initial demeanour was an attempt by his camp to emulate Sonny Liston, the glowering heavyweight champ of the 1960s. "At some point somewhere along the way, he realised that wasn't him," Lampley said. Foreman stopped Frazier in an upset in Jamaica in January 1973 to win the belt, with his knockout inspiring Howard Cosell's iconic call: "Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!' Fight against Ali was to help him financially Foreman defended his belt against Ken Norton before accepting the fight with Ali in the now-immortal bout staged in Africa by promoter Don King. Ali put on a tactical masterclass against Foreman, showing off the "rope-a-dope' strategy that frustrated and infuriated the champion. Foreman was eventually knocked down for the first time in his career, and the fight was stopped in the eighth round. Foreman told the BBC in 2014 that he took the fight almost out of charity to Ali, who he suspected to be broke. "I said I was going to go out there and kill him, and people said, 'Please, don't say you're going to kill Muhammad,'' Foreman said. "So I said, 'OK, I'll just beat him down to the ground.' That's how easy I thought the fight would be.' Exhausted and disillusioned, Foreman stopped fighting in 1977 and largely spent the next decade preaching and working with kids in Houston after his religious awakening. He returned to boxing in 1987 in his late 30s with a plan to defy time through frequent ring appearances, and he racked up a lengthy series of victories before losing to Evander Holyfield in a surprisingly competitive title fight in 1991. Three years later, Foreman got in the ring with Moorer in Las Vegas, more for his celebrity than for his perceived ability to beat Moorer. The champion appeared to win the first nine rounds rather comfortably, with Foreman unable to land his slower punches. But Foreman came alive in the 10th, hurting Moorer before slipping in the short right hand that sent Moorer to the canvas in earth-shaking fashion. Lampley, who was calling the fight, named his upcoming autobiography – which includes a prologue about Foreman – after his famous call of that moment: "It Happened!' Foreman quit the ring for good in 1997, although he occasionally discussed a comeback. He settled into a life as a boxing analyst for HBO and as a pitchman for the grills that grew his fame and fortune. Much of the world soon knew Foreman as both a lovable friend and a ferocious fighter. Giant grin on his face "He started performing as this pitchman, this product pitchman with the big, ever-present giant grin on his face," Lampley recalled. "When I was working with him, people would say, 'George is a big clown.' And I would say, 'Well, you can call him a clown, but he's actually a genius. He may be the greatest genius I've ever met.' And people would say, 'Well, genius, what do you mean?' I'd say, 'Well, check the bank account. If that isn't proof enough, I don't know what is.' So, he was a genius. He was a human genius.' Foreman briefly starred in a sitcom called "George' in the 1990s, and he even appeared on the reality singing competition "The Masked Singer' in 2022. A biographical movie based on his life was released in 2023. Foreman had 12 children, including five sons who are all famously named George Edward Foreman. "Legendary boxing champion, life-changing preacher, husband, father, grand- and great-grandfather and the best friend you could have,' WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman wrote on social media. "His memory is now eternal, may Big George rest in peace.' Associated Press
