In the ring of life, even the strongest fall, leaving hearts heavy with loss. On March 21, 2025, the boxing world reeled as one of our biggest legends, George Foreman, took his final breath at the age of 76. The massive news stunned fans and left many speechless. Even Mike Tyson, one of Foreman’s closest friends, grappled with his grief in silence.

Finally, after almost a month since the tragedy, the 58-year-old finally mustered up the courage to share his views. The Brooklyn native reflected on Big George’s inspirational life showcasing that even in death’s shadow, a champion’s towering legacy continues to inspire.

Mike Tyson has a gripe with time

The youngest-ever heavyweight champion recently sat down with Men’s Health and opened up about the pain of losing his friend. “I don’t know how to say it really,” he said, struggling to find the right words. Once dubbed as The Baddest Man On The Planet, Mike Tyson is now old, withered, worn, and weathered. Yet, he sees it as life’s inevitable flow. Reflecting on George Formeman’s legacy, he stated, “He was one of the greatest fighters ever created, and he did so much for the sport of boxing. He showed how different you can be at 24, when he first won the heavyweight title, compared to 45, when he became the oldest heavyweight champion in history.” 

George Foreman managed to bag the heavyweight title at 24 by knocking out the then-undefeated Joe Frazier in two rounds at Kingston, Jamaica, on January 22, 1973. And soon enough his reign as the heavyweight champion began. Cut to November 5, 1994, he was crowned the oldest heavyweight champion in all of boxing history. He wrote this piece of history when he defeated Michael Moorer. The cherry on top, you may ask? He managed to regain the title after a 20-year absence!

Moving on, Tyson marveled at Foreman’s transformation in his later years. “It was so great to see somebody change in such a way, from being a mean, menacing, scare-you-death, give-you-a-heart attack-kind-of guy to this gentle, loving, Mr. Softy guy. It’s a tremendous loss,” he shared. Foreman’s evolution to Mr. Softy began in 1977 after a near-death experience. It was an eye-opening experience for him as he started giving up gloves for sermons, preaching his religion to anyone who’d listen. It was a humble start for a man who later founded The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Foreman’s softer side shone brightest in his family. He named all five of his sons George, from Jr. to VI. A quirky choice to instill a sense of purpose in his boys. “If one of us goes up, we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together!” he explained on his website. Even his comeback in 1987 was not for glory. It was driven by his need to fund his George Foreman Youth and Community Center in Houston. Facing financial burdens, he stepped back into the ring so that his center could remain open for troubled and lost kids like him.

Well, Mike Tyson himself has evolved in a similar way. From a menacing, troublesome youngster to a forgiving, compassionate legend. “That’s interesting. As you get older, age brings out either the worst in you or the best. Which one? You have to choose,” he stated pondering on his growth.

Mike Tyson clearly admires George Foreman. However, there is always a sense of missed opportunity that these two never collided in the ring. Was there a bit of fear mixed in the same that prevented this legendary bout?

Scaring the scariest fighter

In his prime, Mike Tyson was one of the most feared fighters in boxing history. However, some believed that even he was afraid of Big George. Foreman returned to the ring in 1987, after a decade-long hiatus to reclaim his heavyweight throne. By 1990, there were serious negotiations for a Tyson-Foreman showdown. However, it ultimately falls apart. Reason? Tyson wanted no part of the clash.

Bobby Goodman, Don King’s former matchmaker later revealed in a 2005 Boxing Scene interview, “Georgie, you’ll never believe this but, f***** Tyson is scared sh****** of Foreman and wants no part of him. Tyson got up and screamed at King saying, ‘I’m not fighting that f***** animal, if you love the m******** so much, you fight him!”

Surprisingly, Foreman felt similarly about Tyson. In an ESPN interview, the oldest heavyweight champ confessed, “That guy was a nightmare in the ring. I didn’t want anything to do with that guy. Those are the kind of guys you see in a nightmare. You want to wake up and say, ‘so glad that’s a dream.”

Well, we might have not had that fight. The ring missed their duel, but the world gained a friendship that outlasted fame. What are your thoughts on Tyson’s statement?