‘He Didn’t Want Me to do MMA’: Derrick Lewis Recalls Boxing Legend George Foreman Repossessing His Car Out of Anger

In a recent interview on the UFC’s ‘Weigh in show’, Derrick Lewis shed light on why boxing legend George Foreman repossessed a car that he’d given him prior to his MMA debut. Holding the record for the most knockout victories in the division, the black beast is inarguably one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. However, boxing legend George Foreman had once hoped to see Derrick Lewis as a boxer.

In fact, after seeing a young Derrick Lewis in a boxing sparring session, Foreman was positive he’d just witnessed something special.

Therefore, Foreman and his management took Lewis under their wing and trained him to become a heavyweight boxer. However, as we all know, things didn’t pan out in favor of the boxing legends’ wishes. Therefore, while Lewis stuck with MMA after his first fight, he also faced some disappointment soon after. As Foreman immediately took back the car, he’d given to Lewis for his personal use.

“Yeah, he did it, they did it. It’s only because he wanted me to stick to boxing. He didn’t want me to do MMA, and I told him ‘let me just see how my first MMA fight goes, then I might come back to boxing’. But I ended up winning, knocking the guy out, and I told him ‘Nah that’s okay, I’mma just stick to MMA. He said, alright, we’ll be in touch.”  

Giving up a car to become one of the biggest stars in the sport of MMA isn’t a poor bargain. And while one can give credit to Foreman’s keen eye for talent, MMA fans will forever be grateful to the black beast for believing in himself.

ALSO READ: ‘It’s a Lot of Pressure’ – Derrick Lewis Says He Doesn’t Want to Fight Francis Ngannou in His Hometown

UFC 265:Derrick Lewis vs Ciryl Gane

Coming off a four-fight win streak, Derrick Lewis will face French native Ciryl Gane for the interim belt at UFC 265. Capturing the interim title will guarantee the black beast a title shot and a piece of the pay-per-view, too.

However, the test that lies ahead of him is like no other. Ciryl Gane is an undefeated,  6’4 athletic heavyweight who moves more like a light-heavyweight. His ascension through the UFC rankings has been impressive.

And although Lewis carries his power into the later rounds, he will probably look for an early finish considering how technical and patient Ciryl Gane can be.

What do you think? Will the black beast get the win over Ciryl Gane? Let us know in the comments.

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