George Foreman, Father, Friend, Preacher, Humanitarian, Philanthropist, and Boxing Icon, Passes Away at 76
- Matthew Brown
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
03/21/2025
“Big” George Foreman, one of boxing’s most fearsome and dominant heavyweights of all time, and an enduring cultural icon, passed away today at the age of 76, his family announced.
George Foreman’s life was one of transformation—from a menacing knockout artist to a beloved global ambassador of resilience, redemption and reinvention. His impact on boxing and popular culture remains unparalleled, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward, where he had a troubled childhood before turning to boxing. Under the guidance of the Job Corps program, he found discipline in the sport he came to love. A boxing prodigy, Foreman quickly rose through the amateur ranks. His immense talent culminated in a gold medal victory in the heavyweight division at the historic 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where he dominated Jonas Čepulis of the Soviet Union.
Foreman turned professional in 1969, and quickly established himself as a fearsome puncher and ferocious finisher, including becoming only the second man to stop George Chuvalo.
In 1973, in his 38th bout, Foreman challenged “Smoking” Joe Frazier for the WBA and WBC Undisputed Heavyweight Championship. In front of a raucous crowd of 36,000 at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, Foreman wrested the titles away from the fearsome Frazier, knocking him down six times over the course of two brutal rounds. The dominant dismantling of Frazier signaled a new era in boxing: the George Foreman era.
Foreman’s reign as champion ended in one of boxing’s most legendary bouts of all time, the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle.” Fighting in Kinshasa, Zaire against Muhammad Ali, Foreman was favored to steamroll the former champion. In what was dubbed the now-famous “rope-a-dope” strategy, Ali absorbed Foreman’s power punches until he tired out. In the eighth round, Ali delivered a stunning knockout, handing Foreman his first professional loss.
In 1976, Foreman was one half of one of the greatest heavyweight bouts of all time. Facing Ron Lyle, Foreman engaged in a brutal slugfest, eventually knocking Lyle out in the fifth round.
After a shocking defeat to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman retired from the sport of boxing. Foreman became a born-again Christian and evangelical pastor. He dedicated the next decade, and the rest of his life, to preaching the word of God, and humanitarian work.
In 1987, at the age of 38, Foreman announced his return to the sport of boxing, with a stated goal of becoming heavyweight champion again.
Despite doubts about his age and conditioning, Foreman worked his way back into title contention, racking up victories over the likes of Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Bert Cooper. In 1990, proving that even at his advanced age, his power was undiminished, Foreman knocked out Gerry Cooney in one of the most brutal knockouts of his legendary career.
In 1991, Foreman challenged the undefeated Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight championship of the world. Losing by a wide, unanimous decision, Foreman fell short of his goal to once again become heavyweight champion of the world.
In 1994, at the age of 45, Foreman became the author of one of the greatest comeback stories in the history of sports. Against the undefeated, Michael Moorer, Foreman reclaimed the heavyweight championship by knocking out Moorer in the tenth round, with an iconic one-two. The historic victory made him the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history, a record that still remains.
Foreman fought until 1997, retiring at 48 with a professional record of 76 wins and 5 losses, with 68 of those wins coming by way of knockout. In 2003, Foreman was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Beyond boxing, Foreman became a successful entrepreneur, most famously through the George Foreman Grill, which sold over 100 million units worldwide. Foreman continued his work and life as a preacher, a philanthropist, and a family man. He had 12 children, including five sons, all named George.
Foreman’s remarkable life and career were defined, not by his successes and failures in the ring, but by his personal transformation, redemption, unbelievable triumph, and an enduring legacy beyond boxing.
Foreman, even in his final days, remained deeply committed to his faith and community. He is survived by his family, friends and legions of boxing fans, who adored him.
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