How many times did George Foreman win the Heavyweight Title?

International Boxing Hall of Famer George Foreman was no stranger to gold throughout his fight career. “Big George” competed in many high-profile title fights against the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, and Evander Holyfield, but what were his key championship wins, and how many times did he win the big one?

Let’s take a look:

(January 22, 1973) Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman – For WBA, WBC, and The Ring Heavyweight Championships

“Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” Those famous words were echoed by legendary journalist Howard Cosell when Foreman dropped Frazier in their first encounter five decades ago. While Frazier survived the first knockdown, he ended up being floored three times in the first round.

Frazier didn’t fare any better in the second stanza, and the fight was mercifully stopped. This was the first time Foreman captured the WBA, WBC, and The Ring Heavyweight Championships in the bout dubbed “The Sunshine Showdown.”

(November 5, 1994) Michael Moorer vs. George Foreman – For WBA & IBF Heavyweight Championships

George Foreman challenged for major heavyweight championship gold four times, and he had some successful title defenses. His first major title win was against Frazier, while his second was against Michael Moorer over two decades later. Foreman was a massive underdog in the fight, according to boxing experts, even though the oddsmakers didn’t exactly view it that way.

At the age of 45 and well past his prime, it was hard to blame the pundits for thinking this was going to be a wash. It was looking like the experts were going to be correct, as Moorer seemed to be well ahead on points, despite one judge scoring the fight far closer than his colleagues after round nine.

While Moorer appeared to be cruising to victory, he ate a right-hand shot that sent him to the canvas. This was after several pleas from trainer Teddy Atlas to stay away from Foreman’s power hand. Moorer couldn’t beat the ten-count, and George Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history.

“It happened! It happened!”

The Big George Foreman film will be released in theaters in the United States on April 28.