Foreman Gets Coetzer in Reno Jan. 16

George Foreman loves to fight in Nevada because there’s no state income tax. So he plans a return to Reno in January for a bout that won’t be too taxing, at least outside the ring.

Foreman will take on South African Pierre Coetzer in a 10-round bout Jan. 16. Tommy Morrison will meet Carl Williams in another 10-rounder on the heavyweight-dominated card at the Convention Center.

“Foreman is getting $5 million,” promoter Bob Arum said. “If we were to fight in New Jersey, he would have to pay state taxes of $350,000. In California, it would cost him $500,000. Nevada becomes extremely competitive in all these situations.”

Foreman of Houston is 71-3 with 66 knockouts. Since the 44-year-old former world heavyweight champion returned to boxing from a 10-year layoff, he has lost only once in 25 fights, and that was a 12-round decision to heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield in April of 1991.

Coetzer, 30, is 39-4 with 27 knockouts, but has been stopped in both of his last two outings, first by Riddick Bowe on July 18 and then by Franklin Bruno on Oct. 17. Bowe meets Holyfield in Las Vegas on Friday for the title.

Foreman’s last fight was a 10-round decision over Alex Stewart in Las Vegas April 11.