Three former world champions turned preachers after retirement. Let’s have a look at the newest, former Olympic Gold Medalist and heavyweight champion ‘Massive’ George Foreman, who simply handed away.
In January 1973, Foreman stopped champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier, 29-0, in two rounds in Kingston, Jamaica.
On March 17, 1977, he misplaced to Jimmy Younger, being floored within the twelfth and ultimate spherical in Puerto Rico.
As Foreman lay in his dressing room after shedding, he had a religious awakening and started to yell, “Jesus Christ is coming alive in me.” Then, after his bathe, he started to shout, “Hallelujah, I’m clear! Hallelujah, I’ve been born once more!” He would retire from boxing with a file of 45-2 (42 KOs) and grow to be an ordained minister.
He would come again and win the heavyweight title a second time at age 45 knocking out champion Michael Moorer, 35-0, on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. In November of 1997 he retired with a 76-5 (68 Kos) file combating out of Houston, Texas.
Former WBA & IBF World Tremendous Light-weight champion Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor gained his WBA title in August of 1980, coming off the canvas within the first spherical to go on to cease champion Antonio ‘Child Pambele’ Cervantes, 63-10-1, within the fourth spherical, in Pryor’s house metropolis of Cincinnati. In June of 1984, he gained the IBF title, defeating Canada’s Nick Furlano, 28-7-1, by determination in Toronto, Canada.
After retiring in 1990 with a file of 39-1 (35 Kos), Pryor went by way of some exhausting occasions attributable to drug habit, however with dedication that made he an amazing fighter, he kicked the behavior. He turned a deacon at New Friendship Baptist Church. Witnessing Pryor was like seeing Henry “Murder Hawk” Armstrong and even took the nickname “Hawk!”
In October of 1937 Armstrong gained his first title the World Featherweight title knocking out Petey Sarron, 107-21-13, in six rounds at Madison Sq. Backyard.
In Might 1938, he jumped divisions to win the World Welterweight title, defeating Barney Ross, 74-3-3, on the Madison Sq. Backyard Bowl whereas retaining the Featherweight title.
In August 1938, he gained the World Light-weight title, defeating Lou Ambers 75-5-7, holding all three titles on the similar time. In February 1945, he retired with a 149-21-10 file (99 Kos). He later turned an ordained minister in his hometown of Los Angeles.
Boxing Information 24 » Foreman, Armstrong, Pryor from Punching to Preaching
Final Up to date on 03/31/2025
