Two-time heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist, and renowned entrepreneur George Foreman has passed away the age of 76, his family confirmed in a statement on Friday night.
Affectionately known as “Big George,” Foreman was one of boxing’s most dominant and enduring figures. His remarkable career saw him win Olympic gold in 1968 before claiming the world heavyweight title twice—an astonishing 21 years apart. At 45, he made history as the oldest heavyweight champion ever.
In a heartfelt statement, his family described him as “a devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great-grandfather.” They praised his faith, humility, and discipline, calling him “a humanitarian, an Olympian, and two-time world champion” who worked tirelessly to uphold his legacy for his family.
Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman grew up in poverty alongside six siblings, raised by a single mother in the segregated American South. As a teenager, he dropped out of school and turned to crime before discovering boxing—a sport that would change his life.
At just 19, Foreman won heavyweight gold at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, catapulting him into the professional ranks. He quickly amassed 37 consecutive wins before capturing his first world title in 1973, delivering a brutal knockout of the undefeated Joe Frazier in just two rounds, knocking him down six times.
One of Foreman’s most famous bouts came in 1974, when he defended his title against Muhammad Ali in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The fight, considered one of the greatest in boxing history, saw Ali use his now-iconic “rope-a-dope” strategy, allowing Foreman to wear himself out before securing a knockout victory in the eighth round.
Looking back on the fight in a BBC interview, Foreman admitted that experts predicted he would “decimate” Ali. Instead, the loss became a defining moment in his life. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he later said, as it ultimately led him to his true calling—preaching.
After a second career defeat in 1977, Foreman shocked the boxing world by retiring and dedicating himself to ministry. He founded the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas, starting as a street preacher before building a congregation.
However, in 1987, at age 38, Foreman made an unexpected return to boxing, aiming to fund a youth center he had established. He embarked on a remarkable run, winning 24 consecutive fights and earning a shot at Evander Holyfield’s world title in 1991. Though he lost on points, Foreman remained a formidable contender.
In 1994, at age 45, Foreman made history again, knocking out Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight championship—cementing his place as the oldest world champion in boxing history. He officially retired in 1997, closing out his career with 76 wins (68 by knockout) and just five losses.
Outside the ring, Foreman became one of the most successful entrepreneurs in sports history. His George Foreman Grill, launched in 1994, became a global sensation. Marketed as “The Lean Mean Grilling Machine,” the product sold over 100 million units, making Foreman a fortune that far exceeded his boxing earnings.
A father of 12 children, Foreman was known for giving his five sons the same name—George—so they would “always have something in common.”
Foreman’s legacy transcends boxing, leaving an indelible mark on sports, business, and faith. His remarkable journey from troubled youth to world champion, preacher, and businessman solidifies his status as one of the sport’s greatest and most recognizable figures.
