WGOLV.COM - By LoriLee - George Foreman, renowned heavyweight boxing legend and business entrepreneur, passed away on Friday night at the age of 76.
The International Boxing Hall of Famer’s family announced the news on his Instagram page:
“Our hearts are broken,” the caption read on the post.
“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. 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.”
Early Life -
Born in Marshall, Texas in 1949, Foreman, who admitted to being a bully during his youth, joined the Job Corps at 16 before taking up boxing at 17.
He made his first significant impact on the boxing scene as a 19-year-old at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics when he won the heavyweight gold medal against Soviet fighter Jonas Cepulis.
Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman
In 2012, Foreman reflected on the victory and how "afraid" he was at the time of the fight, having participated in fewer than two dozen amateur bouts before the Olympics.
“When I look back at the fight, all I can remember was how afraid I was,” he told the BBC.
“Chepulis was representing another ‘superpower’. I didn’t have the confidence that people thought I had.
“I wanted to win gold but didn’t expect anything like that to happen in my life. But I was told to jab, jab, jab. With my jabs and other wild punches, there was no way to stop me. … The left jab was my number one punch — I still think it was the best punch in boxing.”
Legendary Career -
Foreman entered the professional boxing scene a year after winning the gold medal, beginning a legendary career with a 76-5 record, including 68 knockout victories.
In 1973, he claimed his first of two heavyweight titles by knocking out Joe Frazier — the 1964 heavyweight gold medalist — during a match in Jamaica.
Foreman lost the title a year later in the renowned “Rumble in the Jungle” against Muhammad Ali in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
In 1977, after defeating Jimmy Young in a bout in Puerto Rico, Foreman experienced exhaustion and heatstroke, which he described as a near-death experience.
He took a ten-year break from boxing and returned to Texas.
Foreman becomes an ordained minister -
His life took a complete 180-degree turn as he became an ordained minister, and, in 1984, founded the George Foreman Youth and Community Center.
In 1987, Foreman returned to boxing, and in 1994 at the age of 45, 20 years after he lost a title to Ali, he was back on top after defeating Michael Moorer for his second heavyweight title.
“Anything you desire, you can make happen,” Foreman said after that fight. “It’s like the song, ‘When you wish upon a star your dreams come true.’ Well, look at me tonight.”
Entrepreneur and television appearances -
By 1997, he had permanently retired, yet he had already transformed into a sociable spokesperson promoting numerous products, the most renowned being the George Foreman Grill line, which brought him millions.
Foreman also made a number of television appearances in his life, including on a 1975 episode of “The Six Million Dollar Man” and, most recently, on “The Masked Singer” in 2022.
He had 12 children, and all five of his sons were named George.
“I named all my sons George Edward Foreman so they would always have something in common. I say to them, ‘If one of us goes up, then we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together,’ ” Foreman wrote on his website.
Many were saddened to hear of the legend's death.
“Condolences to George Foreman’s family,” Mike Tyson wrote on X after the news of Foreman’s death broke. “His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
“Rest in peace, George Foreman. Your legacy lives on, champ,” NBA legend Scottie Pippen wrote.
“Legendary boxing champion, life-changing preacher, husband, father, grand- and great-grandfather and the best friend you could have,” WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman wrote on his social media. “His memory is now eternal, may Big George rest in peace.”
Actor William Shatner wrote, “Condolences to the family of George Foreman.”
Foreman’s family wrote, "We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.
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