George Foreman Quotes

Powerful George Foreman for Daily Growth

About George Foreman

George Foreman, born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, is a former professional boxer, minister, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, widely recognized for his dramatic career transformations. Known as 'Big George,' he rose to prominence as a heavyweight champion, winning the World Heavyweight Championship twice, first at age 24 by defeating Joe Frazier in 1973, and then regaining it from Muhammad Ali in 1994. Foreman's early life was marked by adversity, having been raised by his grandmother in Baytown, Texas after his mother abandoned him. He discovered boxing at the age of nine while attending a youth center. The sport became an outlet for his pent-up energy and anger, which he channeled into becoming one of the most formidable boxers of his era. His influence extended beyond the ring. In 1977, Foreman was sentenced to five years in prison on drug charges, but this experience led him to convert to born-again Christianity while incarcerated. Post-release, he became an ordained minister and founded The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1994, at the age of 45, Foreman made a remarkable comeback to win back his heavyweight title against Michael Moorer, breaking the record for the oldest heavyweight champion ever. This victory inspired his popular catchphrase, "Older, Better, Faster, Stronger." Away from boxing, Foreman is renowned for his product innovations, most notably the George Foreman Grill. This successful business venture has earned him multiple awards and cemented his status as an entrepreneurial icon. George Foreman's life story embodies resilience, redemption, and reinvention, making him a compelling figure in both sports and popular culture. His impact extends beyond the boxing ring, inspiring generations with his journey from troubled youth to respected world champion, minister, and entrepreneur.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."

This quote by George Foreman suggests that true success lies not just in achieving outcomes or accolades, but in finding fulfillment and satisfaction in one's own character, actions, and the nature of their work. In other words, to be successful, one should love who they are, enjoy what they do, and approach it with integrity. This holistic definition of success encompasses a sense of personal well-being, purpose, and self-respect, emphasizing that genuine satisfaction comes from aligning our inner selves with our actions and passions in life.


"Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up."

This quote by George Foreman emphasizes that every successful individual, or champion, in any endeavor, was initially a hopeful competitor (contender). The key difference between them and others who gave up lies in their determination, persistence, and refusal to accept defeat. It underscores the importance of resilience, hard work, and perseverance as crucial attributes for achieving greatness and realizing one's potential.


"Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man; but sooner or later the man who wins is the one who thinks he can."

This quote by George Foreman suggests that success in life often depends not on physical strength or speed, but rather on one's mindset and belief in their own capabilities. It implies that persistence, resilience, and positive thinking are more crucial factors in achieving victory over adversity than just brute force or speed. The person who eventually triumphs is the one who believes they can overcome obstacles and persevere through challenges, regardless of initial strength or speed.


"You can't be a great champion if you're not a great person first, because a champion is just a product of what they are as a human being."

This quote highlights the idea that true champions are not just skilled athletes or fighters, but individuals who possess strong moral character and personal qualities. Foreman suggests that a person's greatness in competition and sports stems from their personal virtues, emphasizing the importance of being a good person before becoming a champion. In essence, he is saying that a champion's success reflects their values and character as a human being.


"The key to success is confidence. No matter how good you are, you're going to look lost if you're not confident."

Confidence, according to George Foreman, is a crucial element for achieving success. Even if an individual possesses great skills or talents, without self-assurance, they may appear uncertain or inadequate. Confidence builds trust in oneself, which allows one to take risks, face challenges bravely, and persevere through setbacks. It's not just about believing you can win; it's about exuding that belief to others, instilling a sense of trust and inspiring them to support or follow your lead. In essence, confidence is the spark that ignites the fire of success.


That's my gift. I let that negativity roll off me like water off a duck's back. If it's not positive, I didn't hear it. If you can overcome that, fights are easy.

- George Foreman

Positive, Gift, Like, Duck

As you get better and better working out, there's no one who can keep up with you running. If you don't have a good dog, it's going to be the most lonesome training camp you'll ever have.

- George Foreman

Good, Training, Going, Lonesome

I love the pigeons. I just raise them, period, and feed them. Pigeons go away, and they always come back. You get a touch of freedom, and then they are free to come back to you. I love the idea of pigeons.

- George Foreman

Love, Always, Period, Raise

I feel that I had been rescued from the gutter by America. One day I was under the gutter, chased by police, thinking dogs were going to get me. I laid there listening to the dogs and the gutter. The next day, there I am standing on the Olympic platform, and you hear the anthem. I was proud.

- George Foreman

Next, Been, Olympic, Gutter

It's very important that people know that I really enjoy everything that has happened to me. And I tell my kids... you're not going to be the tallest, fastest, prettiest, the best track runner, but you can be the nicest human being that someone has ever met in their life. And I just want to leave that legacy that being nice is a true treasure.

- George Foreman

Legacy, Very, Tallest, Happened

Boxing has been the most difficult thing I've ever done. The biggest challenge in my life. I was a boxer. That was hard. Everything else is pretty easy.

- George Foreman

My Life, Been, Boxer, Most Difficult Thing

Anytime I can sneak in a moment to fish and ride horses, I'm a happy camper.

- George Foreman

Happy, Fish, Camper, Anytime

I want to keep fighting because it is the only thing that keeps me out of the hamburger joints. If I don't fight, I'll eat this planet.

- George Foreman

Want, Planet, Joints, Hamburger

I am so happy to be alive. That's the one thing I'd like for people to know. Sometimes people walk by and slip up and say the wrong thing about me, and I'll smile. They wonder why am I smiling. Because I'm happy that I'm alive.

- George Foreman

Happy, Sometimes, Alive, Slip

It's great to reminisce about good memories of my past. It was enjoyable when it was today. So learning to enjoy today has two benefits: it gives me happiness right now, and it becomes a good memory later.

- George Foreman

Memory, Benefits, Reminisce, Good Memory

I named all my sons George Edward Foreman. And I tell people, 'If you're going to get hit as many times as I've been hit by Mohammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Evander Holyfield - you're not going to remember many names.'

- George Foreman

Been, Joe, Named, Norton

You wouldn't meet a Joe Frazier down today and then up tomorrow, said hello to big shots then ignore someone on the lower level; he was the most consistent human being. What you see is what you get.

- George Foreman

Down, Big, Joe, Frazier

Frazier was not a big man at all. Frazier was about 5'9, but he would make anyone run. Put up your dukes and cover up because he's coming. He never backed up from anyone.

- George Foreman

Big, About, Backed, Frazier

I wanted to be champ of the world, but I kept hoping something would happen to Frazier. I didn't want to fight him. Nobody wanted to fight Joe Frazier.

- George Foreman

Want, Happen, Joe, Frazier

When I was a kid in Houston, we were so poor we couldn't afford the last 2 letters, so we called ourselves po'.

- George Foreman

Kid, Last, Ourselves, Houston

We all think we've got one more boxing match in us, and that, probably, will be the downfall of Floyd Mayweather, George Foreman, Manny Pacquiao. We'll overstay our welcome.

- George Foreman

Floyd Mayweather, Foreman, Floyd

You may have even an ex-wife or an ex-husband, but you can never have ex-children.

- George Foreman

Never, May, Even, Ex-Wife

The question isn't at what age I want to retire, it's at what income.

- George Foreman

Question, Want, Income, Retire

Sure the fight was fixed. I fixed it with a right hand.

- George Foreman

Right, Sure, Right Hand, Fixed

The fighters who give it all will be around for next year. Give it all you've got. Don't save anything.

- George Foreman

Give, Will, Next, Fighters

The referee is going to be the most important person in the ring tonight besides the fighters.

- George Foreman

Important, Most, Tonight, Fighters

I tell my sons all the time, 'The most important thing in your life is fitness,' but a lot of fighters go overboard.

- George Foreman

The Most Important, Go, Tell, Fighters

The sport needs a personality, not a fighter. We've got plenty of great fighters in the sport, but no personalities. No one is standing for anything. The last personality we had was Mike Tyson. He stood for something. It wasn't much, but he stood for something.

- George Foreman

Needs, Last, Mike, Fighters

The Internal Revenue Service is the real undefeated heavyweight champion.

- George Foreman

Internal, Heavyweight, Undefeated

I love the UFC. I love it. If they had had that back when I was coming up, in 1966, it would have been my sport. Man, I love it. And you know what? Nobody would have pulled the rope-a-dope on me.

- George Foreman

Love, Been, Pulled, UFC

As a child I was sometimes so hungry that I used to dream that one day I'd get locked in a grocery store.

- George Foreman

Sometimes, One Day, Used, Locked

So many of us have loved ones and people we really care about, and the only time we show affection is when they are gone. I have preached at funerals, and you see loved ones who didn't even say hello to dear ones when they were alive. Give them hugs, kisses while they are alive and need it.

- George Foreman

Alive, Show, About, Kisses

It would be hard to throw a punch to someone who wasn't a boxer, who wasn't in the ring, and who didn't have on a pair of boxing gloves and who hadn't been training.

- George Foreman

Ring, Been, Boxer, Gloves

A Jack Russell terrier? My god. He'll burn you up. They never stop. A German shepherd, you can only go so many miles.

- George Foreman

Burn, Go, German, Shepherd

It's strange because you - your life goes so swiftly. You look up one day you're a teenager, the next day you're a grandfather and you want to decide, 'I sure hope my kids don't make the same mistakes.'

- George Foreman

Mistakes, Next, One Day, Same Mistakes

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