American General Life Insurance Company.

The 250-pound IBF world heavyweight boxing champion failed to turn up for a speaking engagement at the Southampton Princess Hotel which had been booked months in advance by the US firm.

Foreman, at 46 the oldest-ever heavyweight champ, was to have joined Apollo 13 astronaut James Lovell in addressing company executives early yesterday morning at their annual convention.

But the man who lost his title to Muhammad Ali back in 1974 and finally regained it last November by beating Michael Moorer, was nowhere to be found.

A General Life spokesperson told The Gazette : "We had a contract with him, but we have no idea where he is. As far as we know he never arrived in Bermuda, and he never made contact with us.

"We've not been able to contact his office. The last we heard, he was in Atlanta...he must have got tied up.

"We don't expect to see him now. When we get back to the States we'll make a call and find out what happened.'' Meanwhile, in a separate development yesterday it was reported that the IBF would likely order Foreman to defend his heavyweight title against German contender Axel Schulz.

Several sources told The New York Times that the 46-year-old champion would be told at the organisation's convention in Atlanta yesterday that Schulz is the mandatory challenger. The German lost a controversial majority decision to Foreman on April 12.

According to Foreman's promoter, Bob Arum, the champion is so popular in Germany that if the rematch were held there, he could earn more than $10 million in European endorsements, doubling the figure he is expected to earn for the fight.

Moorer has filed a suit contending he has a contract for a rematch. That could be negated if Foreman has to face Schulz.

George Foreman