A Conversation With George Foreman

The former two-time world heavyweight champion, and one of America's most popular and successful pitchmen, talked to Jon Saraceno for the Bulletin about living well as a senior and his respect and fondness for Muhammad Ali.

What was the best thing about turning 65 earlier this year?

It's strange. I was in the hospital with a back operation. What's that thing — Medicare? Man, I didn't have to pay for anything! [But] you have to live to see it. Sixty-five? It's like gold sprinkling from the sky.

How did you celebrate?

I only had to blow out one little candle. Deep breath — boom! There it went. All of the kids came over. I have 10 grandkids, including two great-grandkids. Make that 11 — they snuck one in on me. You watch them crawl around the floor, trying to talk, behavin' and misbehavin'. Then I realized I only could have seen this had I made 65.

As we age, how important is a good attitude?

That is the only thing that pulls you through. If you can't stay positive, you will fade away. I am a hypochondriac — I am always in the doctor's office. If you don't laugh about that, you go crazy. I take a cry like everyone else now and then. But as soon as I am finished wiping away the tears, it is back to being the joker again.

What makes big ol' George Foreman weep?

A good book. Writers make me cry. I love reading.

Twenty years ago you reclaimed the heavyweight title at a record 45 years old. How did it change your life?

It didn't really make a big dent in my psyche because I was almost expecting it. So I went back to preaching and my corporate obligations. About a year ago, Michael Moorer [the man Foreman knocked out in 1994 in Las Vegas] was in church with me. His friendship was more important than talking about that victory.

Incredibly, you fought until you were 48. Any advice for us mere mortals when it comes to maintaining good health?

I love to eat. But I cannot face food without using my exercise equipment. I worked out this morning — I thought I was going to pass out. My trainer said, "Man, do you know how not to work out hard?" I never fell in love with exercise, but you have to do it for the rest of your life. I did it to become champ, and now I do it to stay alive. It is a death sentence without it.