Was George Foreman really depressed after Zaire or was he just embarrassed by the manner of the loss?
Yes, Foreman was so down-hearted after that 1974 loss to Ali that he did not see action for the rest of that year and the whole of 1975. He understood however that Ali would not give him a rematch since Ali was already talking of possible retirement even at that stage and was more disposed to having tie-breaking rubber matches against Joe Frazier and Ken Norton before he leaves the scene. So George returned to the ring in 1976 resolving to score convincing wins over the other contenders to put himself in the thick of things in any eventuality .In 1976, he announced a comeback and stated his intention of securing a rematch with Ali. His first opponent was to be Ron Lyle, who had been defeated by Muhammad Ali in 1975. Each man staggered the other and each seemed almost out on his feet. Then, as if finally tired, Lyle stopped punching and Foreman delivered a dozen unanswered blows until Lyle collapsed. Lyle remained on the canvas and was counted out giving Foreman the KO victory. The figh
