Gentleman George
by Michael Doyle

It took a lifetime to forge
The humility of Gentleman George
With his best fights fought on his knees
He is God's child and aims to please

Once a lion, then a lamb, in doing all things
He only gave his second best inside the ring
Living his life with the truest humility
Teaching us all by his example of dignity

An Olympian gold medal made him proud
As he carried the American flag before the crowd
With an amateur record of 22 to four
Gentleman George took might to the floor

Down went Frazier in the Sunshine Showdown
Jamaica gave this giant his victory crown
Punch after punch, this one-sided bout
Showed the world what Gentleman George was about

Until two giants met in a formidable rumble
Somewhere inside the Zairian capital's jungle
And though they fought with determined brutality
In the end, they became friends with humility

But that fight will live on as among the best
When two fighters met their very toughest test
Until circumstances allowed a rope-a-dope strategy
Carried by Muhammed Ali to become something legendary

After in the locker room, George came to near-death
Pleading that God show mercy as he feared his last breath
He then dedicated his life to Jesus and was born again
Where he found the God he had never known as a friend

After ten years, he broke for boxing in a return tour
Proving a man can still pack a punch after he matures
Pushing for a comeback despite a lot of nervous tension
Trading blows for blows made him the champion of the shows

The former heavyweight met Moorer with deep tenacity
That was an attestation as to why George is legendary
Though it's true that he never fought Mike Tyson
The bets are on as to who would have finally won

All in all, Gentleman George's life stands tall
It's a story and a legend that time will always recall
Of a boxer who knew his best was outside that ring
Where the true man gives the very best he can bring

(c) August 31, 2023   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved