George Foreman III follows his famous father's example by training the old-fashioned way near Big George's ranch in Marshall, Texas.

George Foreman III was often at the side of his famous father at public events during the second part of his boxing career, including his fights. “Monk,” as he’s called, was striking, tall and lean, with movie star looks and a smart Ivy League style.

This was no fighter, or so it seemed. He graduated from an exclusive military prep school and then Rice University, not the school of hard knocks, which spawns most fighters.

Monk had a secret, though: Even while attending college, he would defy his father – who demanded that he focus solely on his studies — by sneaking into boxing gyms and working out. The idea of becoming a fighter was always in the back of his mind.

And now, with a framed Bachelor’s in business on his wall, Monk no longer sneaks around. He has been training full-time with his father the past year at the George Foreman Youth Center in Houston and will turn pro at 26 in a four-round heavyweight fight against Clyde Weaver this Saturday in Kinder, La.

He has never taken part in an organized fight outside sparring sessions in the gym.

“Why am I doing this?” said Monk, who is the second oldest of five George Edward Foremans. “People all around the world end up in emergency rooms with a torn meniscus or ACL or a broken bone from playing soccer or rugby or something. They’re weekend warriors.

“Well, I choose to box on the weekend, this Saturday. I just love it. It’s what I want to do.”

Monk, who at 6 feet, 5 inches and 240 pounds is about as big as dad, has shown athleticism. Big George said his son excelled in whatever sport he has tried, including lacrosse in prep school.

However, as per dad’s instructions, his main priority has always been to improve his mind. And it’s obvious that he has a good one. He has run his father’s business interests for several years and by all accounts has done a splendid job.

So how did dad feel about his decision to fight? He was surprised but supportive, the opposite reaction of when daughter Freeda fought.

“Here’s a guy with a good education,” said the elder Foreman. “He already has had a couple of businesses. He drives a Bentley, by the way. He’s real calm. I don’t think he’s been in any kind of fight since he was a kid. He’s a good guy.

“He has a different personality in the ring, though. I’m happy he’s bringing it out. I support him, but only if he works hard.”

That he has. Dad regularly takes Monk to his ranch in Marshall, Texas, where the fledgling trains as the old man once did, digging ditches, pulling cars, chopping wood, everything his father asks of him to build his strength.

Back home in Houston, he works out twice a day (sometimes three times) in the gym, the minister’s son leaving Sunday for the Lord. That includes sparring sessions with the toughest guy in the family hands down: The 60-year-old former two-time heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer.

Ouch.

“He still hits as hard as a mule,” Monk said. “At the beginning, he wanted to see what I was made of so he made me pay for every mistake I made. He doesn’t want me to make mistakes, to get hit. I remember he threw a right over my jab and hit me in the head. It hurt. I decided it was never going to happen again.

“The sparring sessions are definitely hard. But they’ve become more cerebral, more like chess matches, than physical. I’m learning a lot.”

Neither father nor son have delusions about what the young man can accomplish right away.

They both fully acknowledge that this is the first step in a long process. For now, there will be no fighting in front of large crowds in big arenas or anything resembling a big payday, although the potential earning power would seem immense.

Instead, they’ll follow the lead of Big George, who fought often to whip himself into shape after returning from a 10-year hiatus from the sport. Monk will do the same, only he’ll be learning the ropes in a sport that devours most who dare step into the ring.

Father thinks son has talent. He must also have patience.

“When I started as a amateur and went to the Olympics (in 1968), I had less than two years experience,” Big George said. “I only had 25 boxing matches. I won all but two going up against guys with 30, 40 fights. A lot of experience doesn’t mean anything if you can’t fight. A fighter with less experience who can fight is what it’s all about.

“The good thing with Monk is that we don’t have to break a lot of bad habits. It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure. He’s going to have to be managed carefully, meaning we’ll have to match him with opponents with a similar amount of experience every time he fights and progress slowly.

“He takes instructions,” he continued. “He’s big and strong. And he has a good left jab. Once we develop that right, I think we’ll have something.”

Another challenge might be living up to the Foreman name, although Monk has experience in that department.

He has heard “Hey, aren’t you George Foreman’s son?” his entire life. And while some people might wonder whether he’ll have his father’s legendary power, no one can really expect as much.

Monk said he’ll find his own style and run with it, although he admitted that “of course it’d be great if I could hit like dad.”

“I say it’s a good thing,” said Monk, referring to his last name. “One, the name has a good reputation in boxing and the business world. I don’t have to make a reputation myself. All I have to do is maintain it. People have always said it must be a challenge to live up to the name. That’s how it’s always been. It doesn’t bother me.

“Hey, my dad could be Jeffrey Dahmer,” he added with a laugh. “It could be worse.”

No matter what happens in the ring, let there be no doubt that George Foreman is and always will be proud of his son.

Monk worked hard in prep school and at Rice. He works hard in his business career. And he has worked very hard in his latest endeavor. The odds are probably against him becoming a star in boxing, based on others who made late starts.

At the same time, the Foremans believe strongly that good things come out of hard. Who knows? Maybe this is the start of something big.

“Anyone who works as hard as Monk,” Big George said, “can do anything.”

Michael Rosenthal can be reached at [email protected]