When I found Jesus Christ, I learned to be a better athlete. I didn't have to go out there and knock them out in the first round. I've learned to be patient, skillful in the ring. At the same time, I wanted to prove to other boxers that you can take off this killer instinct stuff, you can be a great athlete, a great boxer, and love your brother.

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.