51 years ago

Date: 1st September 1973

Title: WBC & WBA World Heavyweight Titles

Tv: Closed circuit television

George Foreman
( 38 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 219¼ lbs

Jose Roman
( 44 - 7 - 1 )
Weight: 196½ lbs

On September 1, 1973, George Foreman made history by defending his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association Heavyweight Titles against Jose Roman in the first World Heavyweight Championship fight held in Japan at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Foreman, weighing in at 219 pounds, entered the ring as the heavy favourite against Roman, who weighed 196 pounds and was ranked as the No. 9 heavyweight contender by both the WBA and WBC.

The event attracted approximately 7,500 spectators and featured a 17-foot ring, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. Foreman's dominance in the heavyweight division was undisputed, and he underscored this by announcing a generous donation of $10,000 from his $1 million purse to a Japanese home for disabled children, showcasing his philanthropic spirit. Roman's purse for the fight was $100,000, highlighting the significant financial disparity between the champion and the challenger.

The fight itself was short-lived but intense. Roman attempted to employ movement and strategy against the powerful Foreman but found himself trapped against the ropes barely a minute into the first round. Despite Roman's efforts to dodge Foreman's aggressive onslaught, a controversial moment occurred when Roman went down. Referee Jay Edson ruled it was not a knockdown, and amid protests from Roman's corner, the fight continued without additional recovery time for Roman.

Foreman's relentless power soon overwhelmed Roman with a devastating right to the chin, dropping the challenger once more. Roman managed to rise, only to be felled again by a Foreman right uppercut, leading to a knockout two minutes into the first round. This victory marked Foreman's first defence of his heavyweight titles, reaffirming his status as one of the most formidable champions in boxing history.

The undercard featured Ricardo Arredondo defending the WBC super featherweight title with a sixth-round knockout against Morito Kashiwaba, adding to the night's excitement. 

Foreman vs. Roman in Tokyo expanded the global reach of heavyweight boxing. It showcased Foreman's overwhelming power and dominance in the ring, setting the stage for his future legendary bouts, including the epic "Rumble in the Jungle" against Muhammad Ali.