Heavyweight Boxing Legend, George Foreman Is Dead

George Foreman, the former world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, has died at the age of 76.

Nicknamed “Big George,” George Foreman had one of the most remarkable careers in boxing history.

He won gold at the 1968 Olympics and became a two-time world heavyweight champion, with his second title victory at age 45 making him the oldest champion in the sport’s history.

Foreman first won the heavyweight title in 1973 after defeating Joe Frazier but lost it a year later to Muhammad Ali in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” fight.

Despite this, he built an impressive record, with 76 career wins, including 68 knockouts—nearly double the knockout count of Ali.

After retiring in 1997, Foreman found success outside the ring, particularly with the George Foreman Grill, a product that earned him more than his boxing career.

His family shared the news of his passing on Instagram, saying:

“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.”

They also described him as a humanitarian, Olympian, and world champion who was deeply respected for his discipline and integrity.

“A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected – a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name – for his family,” the statement added.

Tributes have poured in from across the boxing world.

Former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson honored Foreman, saying his “contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”

“The Ring” magazine, often called the “Bible of Boxing,” recognized him as “one of the greatest heavyweights of all time” and “He will be remembered as an icon of the sport forever.”

Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman grew up in a tough environment, raised by a single mother alongside six siblings.

He dropped out of school and got involved in street crime before turning to boxing, which ultimately changed his life.

At just 19 years old, George Foreman won a gold medal in the 1968 Olympics before launching his professional career.

He quickly dominated the sport, winning his first 37 fights. In 1973, he defeated the undefeated Joe Frazier in Jamaica, knocking him down six times in just two rounds to claim the world heavyweight title.

His fight against Ali in 1974, held in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), remains one of the most famous matches in boxing history.

At the time, Foreman was expected to overpower Ali, but Ali’s now-famous “rope-a-dope” strategy wore him down. By the eighth round, Ali seized the opportunity to knock him out, shocking the world.

Foreman later called that loss “the best thing that ever happened” to him, as it led him to a deeper purpose in life.

He retired from boxing in 1977 after another loss and became an ordained minister in Texas, where he founded his own church.

He started by preaching on street corners and gradually grew a congregation large enough to build a permanent place of worship.

A decade after retiring, Foreman made a stunning comeback in 1987, initially to raise funds for a youth center he had founded.

He won 24 matches in a row before facing Evander Holyfield in 1991, losing after 12 rounds.

However, in 1994, Foreman shocked the world again by knocking out Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight title at age 45.

Outside boxing, he became a well-known pitchman, most famously for the George Foreman Grill, which debuted in 1994.

The product became a massive success, selling millions of units worldwide and making Foreman a fortune.

Foreman was married five times and had 12 children. His five sons were all named George, a decision he said was meant to create a strong family bond.

“I say to them, ‘If one of us goes up, then we all go up together,” he explained. “And if one goes down, we all go down together!'”, he once explained.

George Foreman leaves behind a legacy not just as a boxing champion but as a preacher, entrepreneur, and inspiration to many.

Meanwhile, former heavyweight boxing champion, Tyson Fury recently announced his retirement from the sport.