The world of sports is mourning the loss of one of boxing's all-time greats, George Foreman, who passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76. His family confirmed the news in a heartfelt Instagram statement, saying, "Our hearts are broken. 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."
Foreman, affectionately known as "Big George," lived a remarkable life that spanned multiple eras and vocations—Olympic gold medallist, two-time world heavyweight champion, preacher, and successful entrepreneur.
Born on January 10, 1949, Foreman rose from a troubled youth to capture Olympic gold in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Mexico City Games. A year later, he turned professional and quickly carved out a fearsome reputation in the ring. In 1973, Foreman shocked the boxing world by dismantling the undefeated Joe Frazier in two brutal rounds to become world heavyweight champion. That historic title fight took place in Kingston, Jamaica, and remains one of the most dominant performances in heavyweight history.
His reign came to a halt in 1974 when he suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Muhammad Ali in the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle" in Zaire, a bout that remains one of the most iconic in boxing history. Foreman retired in 1977 after a loss to Jimmy Young, experiencing what he described as a "born-again" religious transformation. He subsequently became an ordained Christian minister.
A decade later, Foreman stunned the world with an unlikely comeback. At age 45, he knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994 to regain the heavyweight title—becoming the oldest man ever to win the world heavyweight crown. He retired in 1997 at the age of 48, bringing the curtain down on a career that spanned 81 fights. Foreman's professional record stands at an extraordinary 76 wins, including 68 by knockout, and just five losses. He held the world heavyweight title twice, from 1973 to 1974 and again from 1994 to 1995.
Foreman's contributions to the sport were immortalized with inductions into both the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was also celebrated outside the ring for his charisma and business acumen. As the face of the George Foreman Grill, he helped sell more than 100 million units worldwide, reportedly earning $138 million in the process.
The Foreman family’s statement described him as "a devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather... deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy."
Tributes from around the world have poured in for the man known not only for his thunderous punches but also for his larger-than-life personality and boundless generosity.
Foreman leaves behind a towering legacy—one etched in gold, grit, and grace. He was more than a champion in the ring; he was a champion of faith, family, and redemption.