The 36-year-old ordained rabbi was floored by a stunning left uppercut and stopped by Erislandy Lara, the WBA and IBO world light-middleweight title-holder, at Miami's Hialeah Park Racing and Casino on Friday.

Foreman struggled to his feet at the count of nine but was in no condition to continue and referee Samuel Burgos waved the fight off after 1 minute 47 seconds of round four.

"I will take some time to talk to my team and my family and see what comes next, as far as boxing," said Belarus-born, Brooklyn-based Foreman, who defeated Daniel Santos to become world champion in 2009 before losing his crown to Miguel Cotto the following year.

"Of course I'm disappointed, but this is boxing," said Foreman. "I got caught with a perfect punch and that's what happens. I tried very hard to shake it off, but he got me.

"I have been hit harder in my career, but I take nothing away from him. He's a very strong puncher in his prime and I give him credit. He was as good as I expected him to be."

Cuba-born Lara, 33, who defected to the USA in 2008, went into the fight as a huge betting favourite and looked comfortably in control as he eased through the opening three rounds - to the delight of his large following of Cuban fans.

Foreman was on the canvas in the third round, although the knockdown looked more of a slip, but the punch which put him down in the fourth was conclusive.

The defeat was Foreman's third in a 38-fight professional career which began in 2002 and it could well bring the curtain down on his second comeback.

He returned with four straight victories after undergoing knee surgery following his second career loss, to Pawal Lowak in 2011, but then retired citing management contract issues two years later, returning again in 2015 to win twice against journeyman opposition before securing his challenge to Lara.