KUALA LUMPUR – George Foreman, the two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist, has died at the age of 76, as confirmed by his family on social media.
In an Instagram statement posted today, his family said: “Our hearts are broken. 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.”
They acknowledged his monumental contributions to boxing and his efforts to safeguard his legacy. The family also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, while requesting privacy during this time of mourning.
Foreman’s journey to boxing greatness began when he won an Olympic gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Games, triumphing over Soviet fighter Jonas Čepulis. This victory marked the start of a stellar professional career, which saw him amass an impressive record of 76 wins, 68 of them by knockout.
He clinched the world heavyweight title twice – first in 1973 after knocking out Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, and again in 1994 at the age of 45, making him the oldest heavyweight champion in history (BBC).
However, Foreman’s career was not without setbacks. In 1974, he famously lost his title to Muhammad Ali in the historic “Rumble in the Jungle” fight held in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo).
Despite entering as the favourite, he was outmanoeuvred by Ali’s now-iconic “rope-a-dope” strategy, leading to a knockout defeat in the eighth round. The bout remains one of the most significant in boxing history, not only for its sporting importance but also for its cultural and political impact (CNN).
After a shocking loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman experienced what he later described as a near-death religious experience in the locker room. This event led him to retire from boxing and become a born-again Christian, eventually becoming an ordained minister and dedicating much of his life to preaching and philanthropy. He opened the George Foreman Youth and Community Center in Houston, Texas, to help at-risk youth.
A decade later, in 1987, Foreman unexpectedly returned to boxing at the age of 38, initially facing scepticism. However, he steadily climbed the ranks, culminating in his historic 1994 victory over Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight title. At 45, he became the oldest world heavyweight champion.
Following his final retirement from boxing in 1997, Foreman successfully reinvented himself as an entrepreneur. He found financial success with the “George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine,” launched in 1994, which sold over 100 million units globally. This venture reportedly earned him far more than his boxing career ever did, according to BBC.
Born on 10 January 1949 in Marshall, Texas, Foreman grew up in a struggling household with six siblings, raised by a single mother in the segregated South. As a teenager, he dropped out of school and turned to petty crime before finding a lifeline in boxing. His early years in the sport were marked by rapid success, and he quickly established himself as one of the most formidable punchers in history.
Beyond boxing and business, Foreman dedicated much of his later years to faith and philanthropy. He continued his work as a minister and television personality, sharing his experiences of redemption and perseverance with audiences worldwide.
Foreman is survived by his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, and his twelve children. – March 22, 2025