Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, renowned for his legendary 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” loss to Muhammad Ali before reclaiming the title two decades later, passed away on Friday at the age of 76, his family announced. Affectionately known as “Big George,” Foreman overcame a troubled youth, dropping out of school before rising to become an Olympic gold medalist and one of boxing’s greatest champions.
Over his professional career, Foreman fought 81 times, securing 76 victories—68 of them by knockout. Beyond the ring, he became a household name with the “George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine,” appearing in its advertisements with his signature warm and charismatic presence. “With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr., who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones,” his family shared in a statement on Instagram.
Foreman’s journey to boxing stardom began in his teenage years. His younger brother Roy recalled in a 2024 BBC interview that Foreman was a formidable presence in their neighborhood. “At 13 years old, George was about 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and the terror of the neighborhood,” Roy said. Foreman himself admitted that boxing was not initially his passion. “I tried boxing just to show my friends I wasn’t afraid,” he once said. “Well, 25 fights and one year later, I was an Olympic gold medalist.”
At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, the 19-year-old Foreman dominated his way to super-heavyweight gold. His victory celebration, waving an American flag in the ring, stood in contrast to the Black Power salute made by Tommie Smith and John Carlos just days earlier. Over the next three years, he won all 21 of his professional bouts, mostly against lesser opponents, before securing a shot at the heavyweight title.
Foreman’s career saw him challenge top fighters well into his 40s. He took on Evander Holyfield in 1991 and Tommy Morrison in 1993, losing both fights on points. Then, in November 1994, wearing the same shorts he had donned against Ali two decades earlier, Foreman shocked the world by knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round to become the oldest heavyweight world champion at 45 years and 299 days old.
Despite later being stripped of his WBA and IBF titles for refusing mandatory fights, Foreman continued competing. He remained the lineal champion until his final bout, a points loss to Shannon Briggs in 1997 at the age of 48, after which he retired from boxing for good.
Source : https://www.channelstv.com/
