George “Monk” Foreman III

By Michael Campbell

With the support of his father, the former heavyweight champion of the world, “Monk” Foreman will enter the ring September 26th, at the Coushatta Casino in Kinder, Louisiana, for his third boxing match as a professional prize fighter.

About two hours drive east of Houston, George Foreman III (2-0, 2 KOs) returns to the location where he made his boxing debut to attempt to score another knockout victory while making progress in a career that is on the fast track.

The building of a championship contender is a process, but building up the son of an icon is a delicate one.  After only one year of serious training, Monk has the simple goal of learning to execute in front of live fans, the training that he is learning in the gym.  Without any amateur experience, he is learning his craft in the pro ranks.

Monk said about his debut, “Instincts just took over when the bell rung.”  Foreman won that fight in June over Clyde Weaver via 1st round TKO and then in July scored a 2nd round TKO over George Burrage in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

But starting off could have been the hardest part.  He recalled about getting his father’s approval, “After I got my degree, then I could bring up boxing in conversations at home.”  Monk graduated from Rice University with a degree in Business Administration before embarking on his boxing career.

“I would say one of my biggest hurdles was to show my dad that I was serious.  So when we were up training in the woods, I had to give it my all, to show him I was willing to give up my life just to get thru the training session.  He definitely had to see me do that in order to be comfortable with me getting into the ring.”

George Sr. takes a hands-on role in Monk’s progression, even getting into the ring with his son for sparring.

“The (first) sparring sessions were very interesting.  He gave me no pointers, we didn’t even talk.  He came in and wrapped his hands, he didn’t talk, didn’t even look at me.  It was like a fight!  He wanted to see what I was all about.  I danced around, tried to do the Ali on him, started to do the rope-a-dope, but he hit me, so I got off the ropes.  Every mistake I made, he made me pay for.  It really taught me that boxing is more of a chess match not a brawl.”

He continued about their training together, “Dad trains me in the ring and also working on the heavy bags and speed bags, but we also do a lot of strength training on the ranch pulling heavy machinery, digging holes, and chopping wood, things of that nature.  He wants to make sure I have the body of a boxer, not just the mind and skills.”

Monk isn’t the first of George Sr.’s children to box as a professional.  His sister Freeda worked herself into shape and had six bouts.  From her, George III says, “I learned the type of hard work that boxing requires.  And she talked to me about the mentality that a fighter has to take into the ring.”

Another sibling, George Foreman IV, whose nickname is “Big Will”, is involved with Monk’s training.  Will played football in college and could be the best athlete in the family.  He’s now moved to Houston and is studying at Texas Southern University.  After assisting with Monk’s strength and conditioning training, he is now taking up boxing so that he can be one of Monk’s sparring partners.

Being a son of a worldwide icon comes with its share of negatives including many internet naysayers.  Monk’s experience with two reality TV shows has prepared him for the public scrutiny and criticism.  “I’ve learned very well how to take it,” he said, “you should be overjoyed that people just want to take time to talk about you.”

For now Houston fight fans must take the drive east to witness young Foreman’s progression.  His promoter Ron Weathers is working to secure a contract with Coushatta which will ensure his gaining of experience before introducing him to his hometown.

“The challenge is not rushing him,” Weathers said.  “It’s hard to show restraint because he can look brilliant at times.”  The promoter’s duty is to groom his charge building towards bigger fights and challenges.  “We want him polished first,” Weathers said about bringing Monk to fight in Houston.  “Right now he’s still learning against the guys he’s fighting.  We want to make a good fight when we make a big splash here at home.”

Monk echoed the sentiment, “I think after about 10-12 fights, it will be time to come home.  Once I fight in the ring the way I train in the gym, I’ll be ready to come home and show off for everyone.  I want to have a good showing at home.  I want my home to be proud of me, I don’t want to come back (and fight here) until I have a great skill set.”

George III benefits from having witnessed firsthand the latter half of his father’s professional career and is well studied in the sport.  He shared, “I spend a lot of time watching fight films.  I watch Joe Louis on how keep poised and be the perfect boxer. I watch Sugar Ray Robinson on how to make boxing be a pretty thing as opposed to be something rugged.  I watch Bernard Hopkins on how to rough people up.  Of course I watch my father.  And I watch Ali on how to make it pretty.  How to run and get away from a guy while not making it look boring.”

There will be many other Houston and Louisiana based boxers and MMA fighters on a packed show of 10 plus bouts.