Two women accused George Foreman of sexual abuse, including rape, when they were teenagers in the 1970s, according to lawsuits filed in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday.

Foreman, 73, is not named in either suit, but biographical details within them make it clear that the boxing legend, described as “Doe 1”, is the defendant, with one detail pointing out that he had won the heavyweight title against Joe Frazier in 1973.

Moreover, Foreman pre-empted the lawsuits by coming out with a statement a month ago denying the accusations, saying he was being extorted by two women.

 

“Over the past six months, two women have been trying to extort millions of dollars each from me and my family,” Foreman said. “They are falsely claiming that I sexually abused them over 45 years ago in the 1970s. I adamantly and categorically deny these allegations.

“Over the past six months, two women have been trying to extort millions of dollars each from me and my family,” Foreman said. “They are falsely claiming that I sexually abused them over 45 years ago in the 1970s. I adamantly and categorically deny these allegations.

The two women, both now in their early 60s, filed separate suits with the Los Angeles County Superior Court under the pseudonyms Gwen H., a resident of Nevada, and Denise F., a resident of Los Angeles.

The women allege that they met Foreman for the first time through their fathers when they were between eight and nine years old. One father was  Foreman’s manager, while the other one served as a sparring partner.

Denise said that she was groomed by Foreman and had sex with him when she was 15.

Gwen said Foreman raped her when she was 15 and 16.

The women are seeking a jury trial.

According to The New York Times, the women filed their suits under a recent California law that expanded the definition of childhood sexual abuse and allows survivors of such trauma to file civil lawsuits.

Known for his punching prowess, Foreman, who won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, was a household name in the 1970s, regarded as the last golden age of American heavyweight. During that time he fought the likes of Frazier and, most famously, in 1974, Ali. Their “Rumble in the Jungle” heavyweight clash in Zaire produced one of the most famous moments in sports, with the underdog Ali stopping Foreman in the eight round.

After becoming a born-again Christian, Foreman made a famous comeback at the age of 38, eventually becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

The native Texan is also well known for his popular, eponymous grill.