Boxing Icon George Foreman Dead: A Tribute To The Titan Who Changed The Sport Forever

Known as “Big George,” Foreman’s boxing career is one of the most remarkable in history. He won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics and went on to claim the world heavyweight title twice, spanning over two decades. His second reign, achieved at the age of 45, made him the oldest heavyweight champion ever.

Foreman’s first championship reign ended in 1974 with a loss to Muhammad Ali in the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle.” Nevertheless, his professional record remains extraordinary, with 76 victories, 68 of which were knockouts—almost twice as many as Ali.

Beyond boxing, Foreman achieved commercial success with his namesake product, the George Foreman Grill, which earned him more than his boxing career.

A Life of Faith and Family

Foreman’s family shared the sad news of his passing on Instagram, stating: “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 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, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name—for his family.”

From Troubled Youth to Olympic Glory

Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman grew up in a segregated America, raised by a single mother with six siblings. His early life was marked by trouble—dropping out of school and engaging in street crime—until he discovered boxing.

At just 19, he won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City before transitioning to professional boxing.

Foreman remained undefeated for his first 37 matches and, in 1973, defeated Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, knocking him down six times in just two rounds.

His 1974 fight against Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), remains one of boxing’s most legendary bouts. Foreman was the overwhelming favorite, but Ali’s “rope-a-dope” strategy exhausted him, leading to an eighth-round knockout.

Reflecting on the match, Foreman recalled, “The general belief was that I would demolish Ali. Oh, he’s not going to last one round.” Despite the predictions, he felt relaxed before the fight, saying it was “the most comfortable” he had ever been. However, Ali’s strategy led to one of boxing’s most famous upsets.

A New Chapter in Life

After a second loss, Foreman retired in 1977 and turned to faith, becoming an ordained minister and founding the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas.

He later described his loss to Ali as “the best thing that ever happened to me” because it led him to preaching.

Foreman’s ministry began humbly, preaching on street corners before evolving into a larger congregation. “We began meeting informally at various homes in Houston, and before long, the crowds became too large for most houses to accommodate,” he explained.

The Oldest Heavyweight Champion

A decade after retiring, Foreman made an unexpected return to boxing in 1987 to raise funds for a youth center. He won 24 matches before facing Evander Holyfield in 1991, losing after 12 rounds.