Jordan Karlesson
Boxing legend George Foreman is denying allegations by two women that he sexually abused them, claiming instead that they are trying to extort him out of millions of dollars, TMZ reported Wednesday.
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The yet-unidentified women are allegedly going to sue Foreman, 73, in Los Angeles court this week. They plan to accuse the retired athlete of sexually abusing them in the 1970s, according to TMZ.
Their fathers were friends with and worked professionally with the retired athlete many years ago, TMZ said.
Foreman reportedly claims each accuser began trying to extort him out of $12.5 million in January.
Foreman shares his side of the story…
“Over the past six months, two women have been trying to extort millions of dollars each from me and my family,” Foreman allegedly told TMZ. “They are falsely claiming that I sexually abused them over 45 years ago in the 1970s.
“I adamantly and categorically deny these allegations,” he continued, TMZ reported. “The pride I take in my reputation means as much to me as my sports accomplishments, and I will not be intimidated by baseless threats and lies.”
Foreman, an ordained Christian minister, further said: “I am, and always will be, guided by my faith and trust in God. I will work with my lawyers to fully and truthfully expose my accusers’ scheme and defend myself in court. I don’t pick fights, but I don’t run away from them either.”
Foreman was one of boxing’s biggest stars but found even more fame after he retired in 1997 at age 48 with a record of 76 wins and five losses. Afterward, he was a ringside analyst for boxing coverage on HBO for a dozen years, until 2004.
The heavyweight is perhaps most associated with the George Foreman Grill. The ex-boxer sold the commercial rights to the popular kitchen product in 1999 for $138 million.
