Foreman, McCallum Newest Boxing Hall of Famers
Associated Press - January 9, 2003
With BC-BOX--Hall of Fame-Glance AP Photos NYKR3, NYKR101
CANASTOTA, N.Y. (AP) - George Foreman leads the International Boxing Hall of Fame's 2003 induction class.
Foreman capped a remarkable comeback to become boxing's oldest heavyweight champion. Joining Foreman for enshrinement June 8 were 15 other boxers, officials and ring personalities, including Mike McCallum, a champion in three divisions; Oscar-winning writer Budd Schulberg; and the late promoter Dan Duva, who joins his father, Lou, a 1998 inductee.
The announcement was made Thursday.
``What a happy moment for me,'' said Foreman, who, along with McCallum, was elected in his first year of eligibility following five years away from the ring.
``It was on my first visit a few years back that I saw the hand wraps of the great Joe Louis. That's when my hopes first started to arise about someday being along the past great boxers.''
``To have my name with the likes of Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson and Muhammad Ali, I have made it.''
Foreman won the Olympic gold medal in 1968 and then won his first 37 professional fights, 34 by knockout. He knocked Joe Frazier out on Jan. 22, 1973, to capture the championship, defended the title twice and then lost the crown to Ali on Oct. 30, 1974, in Zaire in one of boxing's biggest upsets.
Foreman continued boxing until March 17, 1977, when he lost a 12-round decision to Jimmy Young. He then retired to become a preacher with his own church and congregation in suburban Houston.
After a 10-year absence, Foreman made an unlikely comeback, eventually earning a title match against Evander Holyfield, which he lost in 12 rounds.
Then, on Nov. 5, 1994, at age 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, becoming boxing's oldest champion. He retired for good in 1997 with a record of 76-5 with 68 KOs.
``George Foreman was menacing in his appearance and menacing in his power,'' Hall of Fame referee Arthur Mercante said. ``He was very focused as a heavyweight, very powerful and very devastating.''
The Jamaica-born McCallum was nicknamed ``The Body Snatcher'' en route to a career record of 49-5-1 with 36 knockouts. During his 15-year career, he held championship belts as a junior middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight.
An international panel of boxing writers and historians selected Foreman, McCallum and Argentine lightweight champ Nicolino Locche from the modern-era category, along with middleweight champion Fred Apostoli and welterweight champion Curtis Cokes.
The selection panel also picked four fighters in an old-timers category that honors those involved in the sport between 1893-1942 and two boxers in the pioneer class, which recognizes individuals before 1892.
Duva, co-founder of Main Event promotions, and two others were chosen as non-participants, a category for trainers, managers and promoters.
Schulberg, who frequently wrote about boxing and won an Academy Award in 1954 for his screenplay for ``On the Waterfront,'' was selected as one of two observers, a category established last year for journalists and historians.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights
