"The Internal Revenue Service is the real undefeated heavyweight champion"

George Foreman’s witty remark draws a clever parallel between the physical demands of boxing and the inescapable, ever-present force of taxation. The “real undefeated heavyweight champion,” in Foreman’s view, isn’t a boxer holding a world title belt, it’s the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. government’s tax collection agency. Despite decades spent in the brutal, competitive world of heavyweight boxing, Foreman humorously implies that all victories in the ring pale before the relentless certainty of taxes.

The metaphor captures something universal: no matter how successful or dominant one is in any sphere, the obligations imposed by the IRS remain unavoidable. It’s a subtle nod to the reality facing not just athletes but anyone who earns a living, the government will always collect its due, regardless of personal triumphs or records set. The “undefeated” descriptor speaks to the inevitability of taxation and the futility of attempting to avoid it. Boxers can win titles, lose them, come out of retirement for one more fight, yet the IRS retains its status, untouched and unbeatable, year after year.

Foreman also injects humility, suggesting that the achievements people take such pride in, in his case, heavyweight championships, are ultimately subordinate to broader systems that exert power over all citizens. No one, no matter how powerful or wealthy, is too big for the tax man; everyone must pay their share. The humor in the statement underscores a shared cultural experience: taxes are as much a part of life as growing old, and their reach extends even into the glamorous world of champions.

By choosing such a comparison, Foreman shows awareness of the ironies and limitations inherent in public success. It serves as a playful reminder not to take victories too seriously, because there are always larger, unchanging realities, like taxes, that command respect, and, perhaps, a bit of laughter.