How much of George Foreman's public persona is an act?

CarneraKOsSharkey · Post by **CarneraKOsSharkey** » 27 Aug 2006, 23:21

One thing that has always intrigued me about the comeback of George Foreman is the difference personality he diplayed in the 1990s compared to the 1970s. I have always had a tough time believing someone could go from being a mean, nasty loner like Foreman was in the 1970s to being to the jovial,easygoing guy he is today. Which Foreman do you think is the real guy and how much do you think he is currently personality is just a gimmick?

HomicideHenry · Post by **HomicideHenry** » 27 Aug 2006, 23:43

I think part of it is an act and part of it is real.

I know some guy, I think it was Jim Lampley, said that it was before the Moorer fight or maybe the Holyfield fight, and after the cameras went off Lampley made a joke at Foreman and George simply said in a stern way, and I quote: "Don't be phuckin with me."

Course I could be wrong on who said that, but I do remember someone said that on Foreman.

Alot of people swore up and down that Foreman could still be a hard ass bastard when the cameras went off when he went to train, so who knows. If you believe the story of Tyson declining to face Foreman in the 90's because Tyson said "He's a phucking animal, he's deceiving you all with this grandpa act"....then it could be absoloutely true that it is a fabrication.

But I do believe part of it's real...I do believe he had a religous experience with God and does have a firm belief in God and his pastoral work and charities and such.

Hell we all have bad days, so who knows?

evndrbsn · Post by **evndrbsn** » 27 Aug 2006, 23:59

I think Foreman was the same surly character in the 90s as he was in the 70s. It was an act. Don't forget that Foreman also demands lots of money for anything he does. If he is doing a charity event, there is a good chance he is getting paid to be there.

sockdolager · Post by **sockdolager** » 28 Aug 2006, 07:14

Of course he is getting paid, thats part of the reason he has changed is the money. He became a spiritual man and grew up since the 70's. He might be cranky here and there but if his kindness is an act it is a damn good one.

dempseyfire · Post by **dempseyfire** » 28 Aug 2006, 11:39

Mostly it's real. He got religious and simply put got older and less angry/more mature.

I do love those several instances in the 90s when the old Foreman seemed to be on the verge of coming out. At the Moorer press conference, when Teddy Atlas was all up in his face, and Foreman simply said as if scolding a little kid "sit down and get me a sandwich" . .

Also during the Golota-Bowe riot, and rioters were threatening to attack the HBO crew, and you could hear Foreman say to one upstart "son, you don't want to do that! Think about your future!"

Imagine if some drunk thug had actually swung at George . . . I imagine a bare-fisted punch from Foreman would cause serious damage.

Baby Face Finster · Post by **Baby Face Finster** » 28 Aug 2006, 21:46

I say it's 50/50. Foreman seems to have stolen the smiling routine from DLH.

meade95 · Post by **meade95** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:41

Neither version of Foreman was an act whatsoever -

Foreman as a young man had much more of a temper, was more of a loner and like all of us had immaturity.

The older Foreman is as genuine as one comes. The comment about his swearing is complete BS - The reality is he never uses foul language (from all reports I've seen of those who train and work with him) he doesn't drink, doesn't go out partying with the crew, etc, etc.

He is a good, fine, man. It is not an act whatsoever.