George Foreman, the legendary two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, passed away at the age of 76, his family confirmed on social media. The boxing world mourns the loss of one of the sport’s most iconic figures, whose impact transcended generations.
Boxing great Mike Tyson paid tribute to Foreman, posting on X:
“Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
Foreman first rose to prominence by winning a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics before becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion.
One of his most historic fights was the “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974, where he faced Muhammad Ali in Zaire. Despite being the favorite, Foreman suffered a stunning eighth-round knockout, a moment that became one of the most famous in boxing history. The fight was later immortalized in the Oscar-winning documentary “When We Were Kings.”
Foreman’s dominance in the ring included a brutal fifth-round TKO against Joe Frazier, whom he had earlier defeated in two rounds to claim his first heavyweight title.
At just 28 years old, Foreman made a surprising decision to retire from boxing, choosing instead to become an ordained minister in Texas. However, in 1987, he staged an incredible comeback at 38, defying expectations.
In 1991, he fought Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight championship, pushing the younger champion to the limit before losing by decision.
His most remarkable achievement came in 1994, when at the age of 45, he knocked out Michael Moorer with a powerful two-punch combination to reclaim the heavyweight title. This victory made him the oldest world champion in boxing history, a record that stood for two decades.
Foreman’s final fight was in 1997, a controversial majority-decision loss to Shannon Briggs. After retiring, he became a boxing analyst for HBO and remained a respected voice in the sport.
Recognized as one of the hardest punchers of all time, The Ring ranked him ninth among the greatest punchers in boxing history. In 2002, he was named one of the top 25 boxers of the past 80 years.
Beyond the ring, Foreman’s legacy extended into business and motivational speaking, inspiring millions with his journey of resilience, faith, and reinvention. His name became synonymous with success, not just in boxing, but in life.
The world of boxing has lost a true legend, but George Foreman’s legacy will forever endure.
