Legendary heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman has passed away at the age of 76, his family confirmed on Friday, March 21.
The boxing icon, known for his incredible power in the ring and larger-than-life personality, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
In a statement released on Instagram, Foreman’s family expressed their grief: “With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr.
We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.”
Known as “Big George,” Foreman made history with his illustrious career, which spanned decades and left an indelible mark on the sport.
With 81 professional bouts, Foreman won 76, 68 of which were by knockout, making him one of the most feared fighters of his era.
His journey began in 1968 when he won an Olympic gold medal in the super-heavyweight division at the Mexico City Games.
In 1973, Foreman made headlines by knocking out the reigning heavyweight champion, Joe Frazier, in just two rounds.
However, his most famous fight came the following year in the “Rumble in the Jungle” against Muhammad Ali. Despite being undefeated in 40 matches, Foreman was outsmarted by Ali’s “rope-a-dope” strategy and lost his title in the eighth round.
“It was the most embarrassing moment of my life,” Foreman later reflected, admitting that the loss left him devastated.
After his defeat, Foreman retired from boxing at the age of 28 following a religious awakening. He became an ordained minister but shocked the world in 1987 by announcing a return to the sport.
His comeback was initially met with skepticism, but Foreman defied expectations. He earned title shots against Evander Holyfield in 1991 and Tommy Morrison in 1993, though he lost both.
However, in 1994, at 45, Foreman made history by reclaiming the heavyweight title by knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round, making him the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
Outside the ring, Foreman became a household name with the highly successful “George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine,” making him a multimillionaire and pop culture icon.
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Prominent boxing promoter Bob Arum paid tribute to Foreman, calling him “one of the biggest punchers and personalities the sport has ever seen.”
Born on January 10, 1949, in Houston, Texas, Foreman grew up in a troubled environment, turning to crime before finding redemption through boxing.
He married four times, fathered 10 children, and adopted two more. He famously named all five of his sons George Edward, saying, “If one of us goes up, then we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together!”
