'Whatever he did, he made it beautiful' – George Foreman pays tribute to former rival and friend Muhammad Ali on talkSPORT

Following Muhammad Ali’s death on Saturday, George Foreman joined talkSPORT and paid a glowing tribute to ‘one of the greatest men I ever met’.

Foreman lost the world heavyweight title to Ali in the famous Rumble in the Jungle in 1974 and went on to become close friends with his fellow American.

“Today there is a great emptiness,” said Foreman.

“Forget about boxing. This was one of the greatest men I ever met in my life. Muhammad Ali – I don’t think he is second to any man I have ever met. He was a great human being.

“There were three stages [to our relationship]. I admired Muhammad Ali. He would make your heart beat fast when you saw him. I saw him down the street a couple of times and I thought what a beautiful man. I admired him and copied him.

“Then I became heavyweight champ of the world and I didn’t want to share it with anyone and I became most jealous of him, envious of Muhammad Ali. I lost the title and I hated him.

“Then in the late ‘70s we became the best of friends. He became that one brother I never had. I loved him, I truly loved him.

“Whatever he did, he made it beautiful.”

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH GEORGE FOREMAN ABOVE