NEW YORK -- George Foreman was Muhammad Ali's foil when "The Greatest" became The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year in 1974.


Twenty years later, the honor was Big George's, and his selection was greeted by Ali with praise and a prediction. "George is a good man," Ali said. "He deserves it ... and next year I'll win it."


At age 45, Big George became the oldest heavyweight champion in history by knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round for the IBF-WBA titles Nov. 5 at Las Vegas.


"Isn't it odd, that's something,'" Foreman said of being named AP Athlete of Year for 1994, two decades after he played a major role in Ali getting the award. Ali had regained the undisputed title by knocking out Foreman in the eighth round on Oct. 30, 1974, at Kinshasa, Zaire.


"Can you believe it -- the Athlete of the Year for a 46-year-old man," Foreman said of his selection, which was announced Monday on the eve of his 46th birthday.


Foreman received 204 points in voting by sports writers and broadcasters to 138 points for runner-up Hakeem Olajuwon of the National Basketball Association champion Houston Rockets. Golfer Nick Price of South Africa, the PGA and British Open winner, was third with 111 points.


"The honor is made more splendid for me because it's not fighter of the year, it's Athlete of the Year," Foreman said. "The jokes can stop now."