George Foreman vs. Crawford Grimsley was a professional boxing match contested on November 3, 1996, for the WBU, lineal and vacant IBA heavyweight titles.
Background Over a year-and-a-half prior, reigning IBF and lineal champion George Foreman had fought little known Axel Schulz, winning a close, and highly disputed, majority decision. The IBF ordered that Foreman once again face Schulz in a rematch, but Foreman refused and instead vacated the title in order to pursue a rematch with Michael Moorer, whom he had defeated in 1994 to win the IBF and WBA heavyweight titles, with Foreman claiming that the fight would be his last.Foreman reportedly to relinquish IBF crown, UPI article, 1995-06-29 Retrieved on 2024-08-10One Last Fight for Foreman, NY Times article, 1995-06-30 Retrieved on 2024-08-10 The Foreman–Moorer rematch, originally scheduled for February 29, 1996 at Madison Square Garden, fell apart in January when both sides failed to agree to financial terms.Foreman-Moorer Rematch Derailed, NY Times article, 1996-01-19 Retrieved on 2024-08-10 After months without revealing his plans to fight again, Foreman finally announced that he would return to the ring to face fringe contender Crawford Grimsley, who was ranked number 9 among the WBA's contenders and was 20–0 as a professional, albeit against marginal competition, in Japan.Foreman-Moorer Rematch Derailed, NY Times article, 1996-07-29 Retrieved on 2024-08-10
Morrison vs. Rhode The featured bout on the undercard was Tommy Morrison taking on journeyman Marcus Rhode. Morrison was making his return to boxing after having been diagnosed with HIV nine months earlier in February only hours before he was set to face Arthur "Stormy" Weathers.Promoter confirms Morrison has HIV, UPI article, 1996-02-12 Retrieved on 2024-08-11 Revealing his diagnosis in a press-conference shortly after, Morrison vowed that he "absolutely" would not box again, however, after consulting with doctors and being convinced that he could not spread the disease in the ring, he announced plans to return for one last fight in order to raise money for Knockout AIDS, the foundation he had created.Morrison Plans One More Fight Despite His H.I.V. Diagnosis, NY Times article, 1996-09-20 Retrieved on 2024-08-11 On October 24, just a week before the Foreman–Grimsley event was to take place, Morrison announced that he would return to fight on the undercard, though with the added stipulation that the fight would be immediately stopped and go to the judge's scorecards should either fighter suffer a cut.Morrison To Fight In Japan, Tulsa World article, 1996-10-25 Retrieved on 2024-08-11 The decision was not without its detractors, Morrison's longtime promoter Tony Holden expressed that he thought it was "too soon" for Morrison to fight, while fellow HIV-positive athlete, NBA star Magic Johnson, who had himself made a comeback the same year in spite of his diagnosis, disagreed with Morrison fighting again stating "After talking to my doctors, which is where I get my information from, I feel that he shouldn't be doing it because it's a blood sport."Promoter Expects Morrison to Decide on Fight Soon, Tulsa World article, 1996-10-19 Retrieved on 2024-08-11Johnson Disagrees, NY Times article, 1996-10-26 Retrieved on 2024-08-11 Morrison's original opponent, Anthony Cooks, was arrested and charged with the rape of a 15-year-old girl just days before the fight was to take place, so Marcus Rhode was chosen as a replacement.Morrison Foe Charged, NY Times article, 1996-11-01 Retrieved on 2024-08-11New Foe for Morrison, NY Times article, 1996-10-31 Retrieved on 2024-08-11 Morrison would earn the victory easily, knocking out Rhode only 98 seconds into the first round.Morrison Wins, The Oklahoman article, 1996-11-03 Retrieved on 2024-08-11
The fight The fight would go the full 12 rounds with Foreman ultimately earning the victory by unanimous decision with scores of 119–109, 117–111 and 116–112. Foreman kept Grimsley at bay with his left jab for much of the fight, though there were no knockdowns nor did either fighter land much sustained offense.
Aftermath Speaking after the bout, Foreman lauded Grimsley as a "good fighter" before lamenting the fact that Grimsley seemed to "run from me."Foreman, Morrison Triumph, Tulsa World article, 1996-11-03 Retrieved on 2024-08-11
Fight card Confirmed bouts: Weight Class Weight vs. Method Round NotesHeavyweight200+ lbs.George Foreman (c)defCrawford Grimsley UD12/12Featherweight126 lbs.Orlando Canizales def.Sergio ReyesTKO10/12Heavyweight200+ lbs.Tommy Morrisondef.Marcus RhodeTKO1/10Heavyweight200+ lbs.Craig Petersendef.Alex StewartTKO8/10Super Welterweight154 lbs.Valérie Hénindef.Mary Ann AlmagerTKO9/10Heavyweight200+ lbs.Alonzo Highsmithdef.Mark GastineauTKO2/6
References