Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman has died at the age of 76, his family announced on Friday.
“With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr, who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones,” the family said in a statement shared on his official Instagram page.
The family expressed gratitude for the love and prayers they had received and requested privacy as they mourned the boxing legend.
Born in Texas on January 10, 1949, Foreman had a difficult childhood in Houston. He dropped out of school at 16 and was involved in street fights before turning to boxing.
“At 13 years old, George was about 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and the terrorist in the neighbourhood,” his younger brother Roy once said.
At 19, Foreman won a gold medal in boxing at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. His victory was a proud moment for the United States, as he waved the American flag in celebration.
Foreman turned professional in 1969 and quickly became one of the most feared fighters in boxing. He won the heavyweight title in 1973 after knocking out Joe Frazier in just two rounds.
However, his reign ended in 1974 when he lost to Muhammad Ali in the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Ali used his “rope-a-dope” strategy to tire Foreman before knocking him out in the eighth round.
“I just couldn’t believe I’d lost the world title. It was the most embarrassing moment of my life,” Foreman later said.
Foreman retired from boxing in 1977 after a loss to Jimmy Young. He became a preacher and stayed out of the sport for 10 years before making a surprising comeback in the late 1980s.
At 45, Foreman made history by knocking out Michael Moorer in 1994 to become the oldest heavyweight champion.
He was nearly 46 when he won the title, proving that age was just a number.
He finally retired in 1997, finishing his career with 76 wins, including 68 knockouts, in 81 fights.
Beyond boxing, Foreman became a successful businessman. He lent his name to the “George Foreman Grill,” which became a global success.
He was also a family man, marrying four times and raising 12 children. He named all five of his sons George, saying, “If one of us goes up, then we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together!”
George Foreman’s legacy as a boxing champion, entrepreneur, and inspirational figure will be remembered for generations.
