Just shy a couple months since the release of Creed III, 2023 sees another boxing movie make it to the theaters; Big George Foreman. Unlike the Creed trilogy which is entirely fictionalized and based off the ‘Rocky’ franchise, Big George Foreman serves as a biopic of former Heavyweight world champion, George Foreman.
While George Foreman’s stints as Heavyweight champion are well-known to those that follow boxing, the details of his full life will be put on the forefront in the movie and showcase an in-depth look into Foreman’s tenure as a professional boxer before his initial retirement in 1977, and after.
Having been heralded as one of the biggest punchers in the Heavyweight division in an era that saw many greats including Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, George Foreman drew attention with his extraordinary punching power which resulted in him recording dominant knockout or stoppage victories over renowned Heavyweights such as Frazier and Ken Norton before finally facing Muhammad Ali in a battle now known in history as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle‘.
Portrayed by actor Khris Davis, the movie will showcase Foreman’s struggles following his match with Ali, and the issues that led to him becoming a professional boxer in the late 80s after a decade out of the ring. Having been occupied as an ordained minister at his church, the movie further drives home the point of determination and willpower to achieve one’s goals and is aided by a star-studded cast of actors which includes the likes of Forrest Whittaker, John Magaro and Lawrence Gilliard Jr.
In plain boxing history, George Foreman is currently known to be oldest Heavyweights to ever become a world champion, and counts an impressive list of opponents of two very distinct era’s on his list. When he was at his very peak in the 70’s, Foreman was undoubtedly the most fearsome boxer on the planet that led people to doubt even Ali’s chances on their October 30 match held in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Aside from his career as a professional boxer, George Foreman had also proved himself in the amateur ranks where he ended up winning an Olympic gold medal during the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Having fought his way through poverty to eventually end up becoming a Heavyweight world champion at least twice, Foreman’s story has often been pointed out as one significant to the human condition as prove that anything is possible.
The movie will hit theaters globally on this day and is our must-watch recommendation for those who love boxing, rags-to-riches stories or simply good drama biopics with a degree of action.
