Foreman Hammers Jameson

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman pummeled the ample belly of Mike Jameson, bloodied one eye and knocked him out in the fourth round Tuesday night in Stateline, Nev., to stay on track for a title shot.

Foreman, slow and plodding but still much quicker and sharper than Jameson, ended the bout at 2:16 of the fourth round with a left hook that dropped Jameson in a heap in his own corner. Earlier in the round, Foreman knocked Jameson’s mouthpiece out for the third time in the fight, and opened a deep, ugly gash over his left eye that led to a brief halt while the ringside doctor checked the damage.

Jameson was breathing hard from the body blows and had blood dripping down his face when referee Mills Lane began to move in, apparently intent on stopping the fight. Before Lane could intervene, Foreman (65-2) hit Jameson with the left hook to end it.

Foreman, who is either 41 or 42, depending on whether you believe him or the record book, weighed 260 pounds against the 233-pound Jameson. Foreman was paid $200,000. Jameson (17-14) is a former barroom bouncer who hadn’t fought in three years.