Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced his death in a heartfelt statement, saying, “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.”
Foreman, born on January 10, 1949, in Texas, had a difficult childhood in Houston. He struggled with a troubled youth, dropping out of school at 16 and getting involved in street crime. His younger brother, Roy, once described him as a neighborhood bully, recalling, “At 13 years old, George was about 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and the terrorist in the neighborhood. And when you’re bigger and stronger and think you’re better than everyone else, you take things.”
Boxing changed Foreman’s life. Initially, he wanted to be a football player, but he took up boxing to prove he was fearless. His natural strength and skill led him to win an Olympic gold medal in the super-heavyweight division at just 19 years old during the 1968 Mexico City Games. He famously celebrated by waving an American flag, a moment that set him apart from other African American athletes who had used the podium to protest racial injustice.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and known for his incredible punching power, Foreman dominated the heavyweight division. He defeated Joe Frazier in 1973 to become world champion, knocking him down six times in just two rounds. However, his reign ended in 1974 when he faced Muhammad Ali in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle.” Ali’s famous “rope-a-dope” strategy wore Foreman down, leading to an eighth-round knockout loss.
The defeat was a major setback, and after losing to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman claimed he had a life-changing religious experience. He retired from boxing at 28 and became an ordained minister.
A decade later, in an unexpected move, Foreman returned to the ring. Now bald and heavier, many doubted his ability to compete, but he proved them wrong. Over the next few years, he won fight after fight, leading to a 1994 showdown against Michael Moorer. At 45 years old, Foreman knocked out Moorer in the 10th round, reclaiming the heavyweight title and becoming the oldest champion in the division’s history.
Even after losing his titles, he remained a popular figure. Outside of boxing, he became a businessman and television personality, best known for promoting the “George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine.” His smiling face and friendly demeanor made him a household name far beyond the sport.
Foreman was married four times and had 12 children, including five sons, all named George. He explained, “If one of us goes up, then we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together!”
