TMZSports.com
George Foreman counseled Deontay Wilder after his crushing loss to Tyson Fury … telling TMZ Sports he’s the only man who understands what the Bronze Bomber’s feeling — ’cause Muhammad Ali humbled him the same way during “The Rumble in the Jungle.”
We were talking to the 71-year-old boxing legend when he revealed he recently talked to Wilder following his devastating February 22 TKO loss at the hands of the Gypsy King.
“I had a nice conversation with Wilder, nice conversation with him.”
Why, you ask?
Well, Foreman says he knows EXACTLY how Deontay feels … ’cause like with Fury, Ali handed George his 1st L and took his belt in Zaire in 1974 — the “Rumble in the Jungle” — one of the most famous sporting events in the history of the world.
“We talked because I was in a position where I lost unexpectedly with the title in Africa. Only I know what he’s going through,” Foreman tells us.
The Hall of Famer continued, saying … “He’s gonna have to live with [the Fury loss] but I can show him how to live with that and come back better. We talked a lot on those lines.”
FYI — Foreman was 40-0 when he lost to Ali. DW was 42-0-1 when he lost to Fury. Both boxers were champs.
Shortly after the loss, Wilder exercised a rematch clause in his contract … setting the fighters up for a trilogy fight later this year.
Despite clearly wanting revenge, many experts say taking the fight is a terrible career move for Deontay — as they don’t think he can beat the slick-moving 6’9″, 273-lb. heavyweight.
Straight nonsense in Foreman’s mind, ’cause he says Wilder can 100% beat Fury … and it’ll actually be pretty simple.
“Not only beat him, [Wilder] can do it easily,” George says, adding … “Give him another chance. He’ll show you.”
Foreman’s living proof a comeback’s possible (although he never got a shot at running it back with Ali) … he became heavyweight champ again 20 years later.
With Big George’s help, Deontay will attempt to do the same … but he ain’t trying to wait 2 decades.