Foreman III stops Weaver in pro debut

KINDER, La. — George Foreman III won in his professional debut, stopping Clyde Weaver at 1:16 of the first round Saturday night at Coushatta Casino Resort.

Foreman, the 26-year-old son of two-time world heavyweight champion George Foreman, floored Weaver with a left hook to the chin. Earlier, the 6-foot-5, 236-pound Foreman knocked Weaver (0-2) down with a left hook to the body.

“It feels good to know all the torture my father put me through paid off,” Forman said.

The elder Foreman, who is his son’s manager and trainer, didn’t watch the fight, choosing to let his hand-picked corner team guide his son. After the fight was stopped, the father went into the arena to see his son.

“You never know. This guy surprised me. A guy can train in the gym and look real good. But then they get in the ring and is a flop,” the elder Foreman said. “Now I know he’s a fighter.”

When the opening bell rang, Foreman ran straight ahead to meet Weaver and began to throw jabs and hooks. Less than 30 seconds into the fight, Foreman threw a left hook that landed on Weaver’s chin, forcing him to the canvas.

Weaver got up, but landed back on the mat again when Foreman hit him with a left hook to the body.

“I’m happy to make my debut. The goal was to have my first fight,” Foreman said. “The hardest thing going into the fight was waiting for the undercard to end.”