Boxing heavyweight legend George Foreman has passed away at the age of 76.
Known as “Big George” in the ring, the American boxer forged one of the most remarkable careers in the sport, securing Olympic gold in 1968 and claiming the world heavyweight title twice, with a 21-year gap between his two championships.
His second title, won at age 45, made him the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
Foreman’s first title defense came in 1974 when he famously lost to Muhammad Ali in the “Rumble in the Jungle.”
Despite this setback, he retired with an impressive record of 76 wins, including 68 knockouts—almost double the number of knockouts achieved by Ali.
After retiring in 1997, Foreman’s legacy extended beyond the ring when he endorsed the now-iconic George Foreman Grill, a decision that brought him wealth that far surpassed his boxing earnings.
His family confirmed his passing, releasing a statement that read, “Our hearts are broken.
A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.”
Tributes flooded in from across the boxing world, with former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson saying Foreman’s “contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman grew up in the segregated American South alongside six siblings, raised by a single mother.
He dropped out of school and turned to street robberies before finding his calling in boxing.
At just 19 years old, Foreman won the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
He turned professional shortly after and went on to win 37 consecutive matches. Throughout his career, he lost only five bouts.
In 1973, Foreman defeated the previously undefeated Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, knocking him down six times in the first two rounds.
His iconic 1974 fight against Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), is considered one of the greatest boxing matches in history.
After a second loss in his professional career, Foreman retired in 1977 and became an ordained minister, founding the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas.
He made a comeback in 1987 to raise funds for a youth center he had established. Foreman won 24 matches before losing to Evander Holyfield in 1991.
In 1994, at 45 years old, Foreman made history by knocking out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion of all time.
Beyond boxing, Foreman became a successful pitchman for the George Foreman Grill, which became a household name with the help of his famous tagline, the “Lean Mean Grilling Machine.”
Foreman was married five times and had 12 children, including five sons, all named George.
