The Oldest Heavyweight Champion

Today, 30 years ago in 1994, American boxer George Foreman (aged 45) became the world’s oldest heavyweight champion after knocking out Michael Moorer (aged 26) in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

He also broke the record for the greatest age difference between champion and challenger.

Southpaw Moorer had won the WBO title beating Bert Cooper and went on to unify the titles beating Evander Holyfield. Foreman had been on the comeback trail for several years after coming out of a 10-year retirement.

George Foreman

Moorer controlled the pace from the beginning and built up a substantial lead. By the start of the 10th round, trainer Angelo Dundee told Foreman that the only way he could win would be by KO and that the time had come. 

Moorer fended Foreman off for most of the round until a combination caught him flush on the jaw. Foreman was declared the winner by KO and became the champion.

Foreman later stated that his strategy was to let Moorer fight his usual fight and wait for him to slip up, while Moorer insisted that Foreman just got “lucky”.

Foreman v Moorer Highlights