The pugilist-turned-preacher "spells out Jesus Christ" as he endeavors to live by the Great Commandment.
Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World hits theaters next week, so the man at the heart of the picture is doing his part to promote it. And though he is played by actor Khris Davis in the film, there is certainly no better pitchman than Foreman himself.
With characteristic humility, humor and charm, the former two-time heavyweight boxing champ has been sharing his views on the picture and details about his rollercoaster-ride of a life. In an interview with The Christian Post, he says the movie "brought tears to (his) eyes" when it portrayed the poverty-stricken childhood he endured. As Christian Film Blog detailed here, his skill as a boxer eventually brought him to dizzying heights of success: an Olympic gold medal in 1968 and a professional world title in 1973.
He would lose the championship belt the next year, however, and nearly lose his life in 1977, blacking out in the locker room after another bout. It was at that moment of literal darkness that God brought George Foreman to Himself, as the 74-year-old Texas native recalls.
"I was dead. There was nothing left of me. I saw nothingness, no hope. And then I was pulled out of this dirty place and given a second chance to live."
Foreman then dedicated his life to the Lord, becoming a pastor and founding a church in Houston that he still shepherds to this day. He says he seeks to "spell out Jesus Christ" by sharing what God has done for him and by living out the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40).
"What I preach is the doctrine of love, where a man ought to love God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and then love every other human being the same way he loves himself. And that's what I constantly preach every Sunday."
Foreman, who returned to boxing after a 10-year hiatus to win a world title belt for a second time at age 45 - making him the oldest heavyweight champion ever - adds that he is pleased with how the movie came out, because it makes his witness clear: "Jesus Christ is coming alive in me."
Big George Foreman releases nationwide next Friday, April 28th. In the meantime, the trailer below will give you a good feel for what to expect from the movie.