George Foreman, the legendary American heavyweight boxer and two-time world champion, passed away at the age of 76, his family confirmed on Friday.
Affectionately known as Big George, Foreman had one of the most remarkable careers in boxing history, clinching Olympic gold in 1968 before winning the world heavyweight title twice—21 years apart. His second triumph in 1994, at the age of 45, made him the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
Foreman’s family, in a statement posted on Instagram, expressed their grief, remembering him as a "devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great-grandfather." The statement further described him as "a humanitarian, an Olympian, and a two-time heavyweight champion of the world" who was "deeply respected" for his discipline and integrity.
Storied Boxing Career
Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman was raised in a struggling household alongside six siblings. He dropped out of school and, for a time, resorted to street crime before discovering boxing—a sport that would change his life.
Foreman announced himself on the global stage at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, where he won gold in the heavyweight category at just 19. He later turned professional and built an astonishing record, winning 37 consecutive bouts.
His first world heavyweight title came in 1973, when he knocked down the previously undefeated Joe Frazier six times in two rounds to claim victory in Kingston, Jamaica.
However, it was his 1974 bout against Muhammad Ali, known as the Rumble in the Jungle, that cemented his place in history.
The fight, held in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), saw Foreman as the overwhelming favorite, but Ali’s now-famous rope-a-dope tactic wore him down, leading to a knockout in the eighth round. The defeat remained a defining moment of Foreman’s career, though he later described it as "the best thing that ever happened to me" as it led him to his true calling—preaching.
From the Ring to the Pulpit
Following a second professional loss in 1977, Foreman stunned the boxing world by retiring and becoming an ordained minister. He founded the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas, where he dedicated himself to his faith and community.
A decade later, in 1987, Foreman made an unexpected return to boxing, initially to raise funds for a youth center he had established. Against all odds, he won 24 consecutive fights before facing then-champion Evander Holyfield in 1991, ultimately losing after 12 hard-fought rounds.
However, in 1994, at the age of 45, Foreman achieved the unthinkable—defeating the undefeated Michael Moorer to reclaim the world heavyweight title. His victory made him the oldest champion in heavyweight history, a record that still stands.
Life Beyond Boxing
Outside the ring, Foreman became a household name with the George Foreman Grill, which debuted in 1994. The kitchen appliance became a massive commercial success, selling millions of units worldwide and earning Foreman an estimated $200 million in endorsements.
Married five times, Foreman was the father of 12 children, including five sons all named George. "I named them after me so they would always have something in common," he once explained. "If one of us goes up, we all go up together."
