"I was so happy to meet him!" - George Foreman recalls funny first encounter with Mike Tyson
George Foreman and Mike Tyson are considered two of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all-time. Despite their pronounced age difference, the men's paths crossed as both were active prize-fighters in the 90s, albeit those paths didn't cross in the ring.
On George Foreman's official Twitter account, the former heavyweight champion recalled meeting 'Iron Mike' for the first time. Foreman recounted how excited he was to introduce himself to Tyson. Once widely despised, 'Big George' became one of the boxing world's more lovable figures. With his gentle nature noted, Foreman's tale of meeting Tyson comes as no surprise.
"I walk out of my hotel room and there's Mike Tyson coming down the hallway. I charge him; "Hey Mike, I'm George Foreman it's nice to meet you!", we shook hands and he went on his way. It hadn't been two hours later, he was coming out of his room at the same time as I was coming out of mine just by coincidence, [I said] "Hey Mike!" and hugged him again. I was so happy to meet him."
Foreman then recalls almost running into Tyson for a third time later that night. However, he suspected 'Kid Dynamite' might have avoided him as the day drew to a close.
"That evening, I walked out of my hotel room. I saw Mike Tyson's door partially opened, as if he opened his door and peaked out and looked around, and went back in until I got into the elevator. [Tyson] was like, "I'm not hugging this guy again!"
Watch George Foreman's story of meeting Mike Tyson below.
First meeting with Mike https://t.co/g69tUUVreZ
Mike Tyson reportedly may fight Logan Paul in 2022
Mike Tyson retired from boxing following his 2005 loss to Kevin McBride. However, he notably un-retired 15 years later to face Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition bout. While the contest was ruled a draw, many felt Tyson had done enough to win.
Tyson announced after his nostalgic meeting with Jones Jr. that he would likely compete in future exhibitions. One such encounter may come against YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul.
Logan Paul on rumours linking him to an exhibition fight with Mike Tyson: "What happens if I beat Mike Tyson? I beat up an old man, that's not cool… Do people wanna watch that? I'm telling you, I would f***ing beat Mike Tyson. If people would watch that fight, yeah I'd do it." https://t.co/cdPxa6pX6b
It was reported earlier this year that the Tyson and Paul camps are considering a potential exhibition event in 2022. While the bout has yet to be confirmed by either side, Paul is confident he can score a big win over boxing legend Mike Tyson.