He recanted that statement years later. One of his corner men, Archie Moore, was actually my amateur coach back in the 70's, and stated that George was told to go out and knock Ali out early.
Leading up to that fight, George had a lengthy list of early knockouts, and at that point in his career he had not learned how to pace himself.
By the 8th round, when it ended, he was exhausted and could barely keep his hands up.
Interesting.
He recanted that statement for what reason though? I generally trust the initial impulse from a fighter, especially those at this level where they know their bodies very well. Ali along with Tyson had some fights rigged, Tyson has let his suspicions slip in the last few years in interviews, none worse than Ali. Where there is big money to be made there is cheating.
The greatest heavyweight fight in history in my humble opinion was the Thrilla in Manila and Fraziers corner threw the towel in seconds before Alis team did at his extreme resistance and disapproval, this was covered in a great documentary. Frazier would have been willing to die that night he was so enraged after Ali mocked him. I believe it, he had the heart of a lion.
If you are a behaviour watcher, observe how relieved Ali was when the towel was thrown, he probably suspected something was up as there is ample evidence that Ali either told them he couldn't go, or someone in corner determined this. Both fighters were near death and miraculously just as Ali is going throw in the towel, to Fraziers anger his team threw it in first.
It is far easier for the crooks and organized criminals to operate in places like Zaire, Philippines, even Japan. Remember Tyson massive upset loss? 40-1 or something like that where only a couple of big bookies even took action? He swore he was partying with hookers the night before and went into the ring in a groggy manner that wasn't related to a hangover and his immediate response after the fight was that something was up.
Yes, he didnt train well for the fight and Douglas was extremely motivated after having just lost his mom, there is the long count too if you watch that fight when Tyson somehow knocked Douglas down with a surprise punch (illustrating just how lethal Tyson was with the unexpected power). Again, a major upset outside of the confines of U.S boxing jurisdiction.
From the time I was in grade 11 until really a few years after university I literally hit the gym at least 3 days a week for that decade or so, some times 7 days a week if I was squeezing in cardio only. From any minor injuries and tweaks I suffered from (and there were many) I knew when something was amiss, without question, I knew. It's why I avoided the doctor for 20 years or so, my body was my temple and I was so connected with it.
As an example. once I took a melatonin pill by accident instead of a vitamin pill and 5 minutes into my workout I knew that I was groggy and not optimum. It wasn't much at first being the afternoon, plenty of serotonin in my system but there was no doubt I was not optimum. I wasnt even concerned because logic took hold. I completed a quick 30 minute work out and was gone suspecting what I did and when I went home I saw the melatonin on my desk when I last took my pill and the vitamin pill bottle behind it.
My assertion for this long story is that George wouldn't want any heat after the fact. His advisers would have said, "hey let it go George, you just took a bad to a great fighter it happens, your team wouldn't do that to you".
There were numerous fighters who have been leaned on by organized crime. Some even took dives to pay back loans etc. Boxing was as corrupt as the sky is blue, consider the time frame.
Regardless, I never thought Foreman was ever in on the cheating, few boxers ever knew what shady activities went on (though some did know of course as they took dives).
So, RIP champ (my intention wasn't to hijack the thread).
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