George Foreman, the heavyweight titan whose power inside the ring was matched only by his warmth outside of it, has passed away at the age of 76. The two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist died on Friday, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy in sports, faith, and family.
Affectionately known as “Big George,” Foreman’s boxing career was nothing short of extraordinary. He first captured the world’s attention in 1968 when, at just 19, he won gold at the Mexico City Olympics. Just five years later, he became the heavyweight champion of the world after a thunderous performance against Joe Frazier, knocking the undefeated champion down six times in two rounds.
But it was his 1974 showdown with Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa—dubbed the “Rumble in the Jungle”—that cemented his place in boxing folklore. Going into the fight as the fearsome favorite, Foreman was outmaneuvered by Ali’s iconic “rope-a-dope” tactic. It was a rare loss, but one that, in Foreman’s own words, transformed his life. “Losing to Ali was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he once told the BBC. “It gave me purpose beyond the ring.”
After a brief retirement in 1977 and a spiritual awakening that led him to become a Christian minister, Foreman shocked the world yet again by returning to boxing in the late 1980s. In 1994, at the age of 45, he recaptured the heavyweight title—making him the oldest man to ever do so. He eventually retired for good in 1997 with an astonishing 76 wins, including 68 knockouts.
But for all his triumphs in the ring, many came to know George Foreman as a jovial entrepreneur and preacher. His post-boxing venture, the George Foreman Grill, became a household staple and a commercial triumph that earned him more than his entire boxing career.
In an emotional message posted to Instagram, his family shared:
“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.”
They continued, “A humanitarian, an Olympian, and a two-time heavyweight champion of the world, he was deeply respected—a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy.”
Tributes have poured in from around the world. Fellow heavyweight legend Mike Tyson said Foreman’s “contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.” The Ring magazine called him “one of the greatest heavyweights of all time… an icon of the sport forever.”
Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, and raised in poverty in the segregated South, Foreman’s rise from troubled youth to global icon remains a story of resilience, reinvention, and redemption.
He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—many of whom he named George.
In the end, George Foreman’s greatest punch wasn’t thrown in the ring—it was the life he lived, inspiring millions to believe in second chances and the strength of faith.
