But boxing was my profession. I had to go back the second time because I was broke and I couldn't just go and get a college degree and earn it. I had too many bills, too many families.

During the summer of 1974 Foreman traveled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) to defend his title against Ali. At the end of the first round Lyle landed a hard right that sent Foreman staggering across the ring. In November 1994 at age 45 he regained the Heavyweight Championship by knocking out Michael Moorer.

He remains the oldest Heavyweight Champion in history. He retired in 1997 at the age of 48 with a final record of 76–5 including 68 knockouts.