In the heart of Caracas, Venezuela, under the bright lights of the Poliedro arena, George Foreman confirmed what many feared and few doubted—he’s the most terrifying heavyweight force in boxing. The undefeated champion made short work of Ken Norton on March 26, 1974, stopping the former Marine in just two brutal rounds to retain his WBA and WBC titles in devastating fashion.

Norton, coming off two gruelling battles with Muhammad Ali—one a shocking win, the other a razor-thin loss—entered the ring with momentum and courage. But Foreman, weighing in at a rock-solid 225 pounds, brought more than confidence. He brought thunder in both hands, and Norton, despite his muscle and pedigree, never had a chance to showcase his boxing chops.

The bout began with promise. Norton circled and jabbed, trying to stay mobile while Foreman stalked with menace. The first round was competitive, but it was a mere prelude. In round two, the champion’s fists turned into wrecking balls. A right hand shook Norton, sending him into the ropes, and moments later, he was on the canvas for the first of three knockdowns.

The challenger showed the heart of a warrior, rising each time, but Foreman smelled blood and didn’t let up. A ferocious flurry followed—a savage blend of hooks and uppercuts—that put Norton down and out. Referee Jimmy Rondeau wisely stopped the massacre at exactly two minutes of round two. Foreman had defended his crown for the second time and made it look frighteningly easy.

The fight was beamed to over 70 countries and viewed on closed-circuit television across North America, but its global reach was nearly matched by its post-fight drama. Despite an earlier tax-free agreement, Venezuelan officials demanded 18% of the fighters’ purses, grounding both men until bonds were posted. Norton left on March 29, but Foreman had to shell out $300,000 before departing April 2—a financial jab in an otherwise perfect night for Big George.

With Norton and Frazier both laid to waste in under four rounds combined, the path was clear for Foreman’s next opponent: Muhammad Ali. As the boxing world turned its gaze toward Zaire, the echoes from Caracas made one thing clear—George Foreman wasn’t just winning, he was destroying legacies.