Legendary boxer George Foreman, revered for his remarkable second act in sports, who snatched the heavyweight boxing title at the age of 45, has passed away at the age of 76, according to his family.
In a heartfelt tribute shared on Instagram, they described him as “a humanitarian, an Olympian, and a two-time heavyweight champion of the world.” They conveyed their pride in a man who 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.”
Known for his intimidating, powerful punches, Foreman lost his first title in the iconic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ to Muhammad Ali in 1974. Two decades later, he had redefined himself as a more jovial figure, knocking out Michael Moorer to reclaim the championship. His comeback, coupled with his success in marketing fat-reducing electric grills, established him as a symbol of self-improvement and success, proving that it’s never too late to turn your life around.
Foreman’s journey began in humble circumstances; he grew up in poverty in the segregated South. His early life was marred by difficulties that included dropping out of junior high and engaging in street robberies. Reflecting on his past, he once remarked, “The Job Corps rescued me from the gutter.” Through this program, the 16-year-old Foreman was encouraged to channel his energy into boxing, facilitating his move from Texas and setting him on a path to greatness.
In a testament to his remarkable talent, Foreman won the heavyweight boxing gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City at just 19 years old.
With a flawless record of 37 victories as a professional, Foreman faced reigning champion Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, triumphing by technical knockout in the second round.
He defended his title successfully twice before meeting Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), in what would become one of the most legendary boxing matches of all time. Ali, stripped of his championship for resisting the Vietnam War draft, entered the ring as a significant underdog against the younger and heavier Foreman. However, Ali’s legendary resilience shone through as he absorbed Foreman’s powerful punches, eventually wearing him down and knocking him out in the eighth round. Reflecting on the match years later, Foreman admitted, “I was one strong heavyweight punching fighter. I was one punching machine, and that was the first time I delivered everything I had and nothing worked.”
The loss was a heavy blow for Foreman, leading to a year-long hiatus from the sport. After briefly retiring to become an ordained minister, he boldly returned to boxing in the late 1980s, largely as a fundraiser for a youth center he founded in Texas. Despite being considerably heavier at 143 kg, he went on to win 24 consecutive matches, shedding weight along the way, before facing Evander Holyfield in a 12-round decision loss in 1991.
In a stunning comeback, Foreman knocked out undefeated Michael Moorer in 1994, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history at age 45. He concluded his illustrious career in 1997, boasting a professional record of 76 wins and 5 losses.
Throughout his life, Foreman was married multiple times, ultimately finding enduring companionship with Mary Joan Martelly, whom he wed in 1985. Together, they raised five sons—all named George—as well as five biological daughters and two adopted daughters.
In the years that followed his boxing career, Foreman became a familiar face on television, notably as a charismatic spokesperson for various products, including the electric grill from Salton Inc. His endorsement proved immensely lucrative, earning him and his partners $137.5 million in 1999 for the use of his name on their products.
As we remember George Foreman, let us not only commemorate his incredible achievements within the boxing ring but also the lasting impact he had beyond it. His story is one of resilience, transformation, and hope.
Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.
“People are like tea bags. You don’t know how strong they are until they’re in hot water.”
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 22, 2025
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
