George Foreman has been accused of sexually abusing two minors in the 1970s, allegations he denies
The former heavyweight champion has been sued in Los Angeles County Superior Court by two women who say they met him as children through their fathers, one of whom was a sparring partner and the other a manager and advisor.
The women, going by the pseudonyms Gwen H. and Denise S., say in their complaint that Foreman groomed them for years and then forced them to have sex with him when they were young teens.
One of the women said that Foreman told her that her father could lose his job if she revealed what was happening.
Foreman evidently anticipated the suit. He released a statement to TMZ about a month ago that reads as follows:
“Over the past six months two women have been trying to extort millions of dollars each from me and my family. They are falsely claiming that I sexually abused them over 45 years ago in the 1970s.
“I adamantly and categorically deny these allegations. The pride I take in my reputation means as much to me as my sports accomplishments, and I will not be intimidated by baseless threats and lies.
The statement went on: “I am, and always will be, guided by my faith and trust in God. I will work with my lawyers to fully and truthfully expose my accusers’ scheme and defend myself in court. I don’t pick fights, but I don’t run away from them either.”
Foreman won a gold medal in the 1968 Olympics and went on to become a two-time heavyweight champion as a professional.
He won his first title by knocking out unbeaten Joe Frazier in 1973 but lost it by stoppage a year later in a classic fight with Muhammad Ali, “The Rumble in the Jungle.”
Foreman soon left boxing to become a minister only to return to the sport a decade later. He regained a portion of the championship by stopping Michael Moorer in 1994, when Foreman was 45.
He then became known as a television pitchman, primarily for the George Foreman Grill.
Foreman is 73.
