Three former world champions became preachers after retirement. Let’s look at the most recent, former Olympic gold medalist and a big “foreman of the heavyweight champion, who has just passed away.
In January 1973, the foreman stopped the champion Smokin ‘Joe Frazier, 29-0, in two rounds in Kingston, Jamaica.
On March 17, 1977, he lost to Jimmy Young and flew in the twelfth and final round in Puerto Rico.
When the foreman lay in his locker room after losing, he had a spiritual awakening and began to shout, “Jesus Christ comes alive in me.” Then, after his shower, he started screaming: ‘Hallelujah, I’m clean! Hallelujah, I am born again! ‘ He would retire out of box with a record of 45-2 (42 coes) and become an ordained minister.
He would come back and win the heavyweight title a second time at the age of 45 and knocked out champion Michael Moorer, 35-0, on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. In November of 1997, he retired with a record of 76-5 (68 food) fighting from Houston, Texas.
Former WBA & IBF World Super Lightweight Champion Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor won his WBA title in August 1980 and came to the first round of the canvas to stop champion Antonio ‘Kid Pamele’ Cervantes, 63-10-1, in the fourth round in Pryor’s hometown of Cincinnati. In June 1984, he won the IBF title and defeated Canada’s Nick Furlano, 28-7-1, with decision in Toronto, Canada.
After retiring with a record of 39-1 (35 COs) in 1990, Pryor went through some difficult times due to drug addiction, but with determination he made a big fighter, he kicked the habit. He became a deacon at the New Friendship Baptist Church. Witness of Pryor was like seeing Henry “Homicide Hawk” Armstrong and even the nickname “Hawk!”
In October 1937, Armstrong won his first title The World Featherweight title that beat Petey Sarron, 107-21-13, in six rounds in Madison Square Garden.
In May 1938, he jumped divisions to win the World Welterweight title and defeat Barney Ross 74-3-3 at Madison Square Garden Bowl while retaining the featherweight title.
In August 1938, he won the World Lightweight title and defeated Loue Amers 75-5-7 and held all three titles at the same time. In February 1945 he retired with a record of 149-21-10 (99 COs). He later became an ordained minister in his hometown of Los Angeles.
Last updated on 31/31/2025
