George Foreman, the two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist, has died at the age of 76, leaving behind a towering legacy both inside and outside the ring.
Known as “Big George,” Foreman built one of the most extraordinary careers in boxing history. He won his first world title in 1973 by dismantling Joe Frazier and his second, a staggering 21 years later, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion at 45. His epic battles, most notably the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle against Muhammad Ali, cemented his place in sporting folklore.
Foreman’s family confirmed his passing in an emotional statement: “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.”
Tributes poured in from the boxing world. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson praised Foreman’s impact, saying his “contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.” The Ringmagazine hailed him as “one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.”
Born in Marshall, Texas, in 1949, Foreman’s early years were far from glamorous. He grew up in poverty, dropped out of school, and turned to street crime before discovering boxing. By 19, he had claimed Olympic gold in Mexico City, launching a professional career that saw him win 37 consecutive fights.
His meteoric rise culminated in a brutal 1973 victory over Frazier, knocking the champion down six times in two rounds. But a year later, Ali outwitted him in Zaire with his now-legendary “rope-a-dope” strategy, exhausting Foreman before delivering a stunning eighth-round knockout.
Shaken by a second defeat, Foreman retired in 1977 and devoted himself to preaching. He built a church in Texas and later said his loss to Ali was the “best thing that ever happened to me” because it led him to faith.
A decade later, he shocked the world by returning to boxing at 38 to fund his youth centre. He won 24 fights before facing Evander Holyfield in 1991, losing on points but proving he still had the heart of a champion. Then, in 1994, Foreman stunned Michael Moorer with a knockout punch, reclaiming the heavyweight title at 45.
Outside the ring, Foreman became a global icon with his George Foreman Grill, a business move that reportedly earned him more than boxing ever did.
Married five times, Foreman had 12 children, including five sons, all named George. “I say to them, ‘If one of us goes up, then we all go up together,’” he once said. That sense of unity and perseverance defined his life, a legacy that will endure far beyond the boxing ring.
