Heavyweight champion George Foreman has died on the age of 76, his household introduced Friday.
Foreman died surrounded by family members, his household mentioned.
“Our hearts are damaged,” the household wrote in an Instagram post. “With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr., who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025, surrounded by family members.”
“A religious preacher, a faithful husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and nice grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering religion, humility, and goal,” the submit continued.
BELOVED FOX NEWS CHANNEL CAMERAMAN CRAIG SAVAGE DEAD AT 61
George Foreman on the premiere of “Massive George Foreman” held at Regal L.A. Stay on April 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Mark Von Holden/Selection through Getty Photographs)
“A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two-time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply revered — a pressure for good, a person of self-discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, preventing tirelessly to protect his good title — for his household,” the submit added.
Kinshasa, Zaire – 1974: (L-R) George Foreman (left) and Muhammad Ali boxing at Zaire Stade du 20 Mai, The Rumble within the Jungle, October 30, 1974. (Ken Regan /Disney Normal Leisure Content material through Getty Photographs)
DANA WHITE WILL MAKE ‘BOXING GREAT AGAIN,’ SAUDI OFFICIAL SAYS AFTER NEW PROMOTION IS ANNOUNCED
His household mentioned they “are grateful for the outpouring of affection and prayers, and kindly ask for privateness as we honor the extraordinary lifetime of a person we had been blessed to name our personal.”
George Foreman throughout George Foreman Photocall – October 20, 2006 at Trafalgar Sq. in London, Nice Britain. (David Lodge/FilmMagic)
Foreman grew to become an Olympic gold medalist in 1968 when he defeated the Soviet Union’s Jonas Čepulis in that 12 months’s Mexico City Olympics. After his victory he, wielded an America flag within the boxing ring whereas bowing to the group.
Foreman has mentioned that his Olympic gold is the accomplishment he’s most pleased with, much more than his different skilled boxing titles.
BOXING STAR AMANDA SERRANO SIGNS LIFETIME DEAL WITH JAKE PAUL-BACKED PROMOTION
However Foreman was most prominently identified for his big-ticket matches in opposition to fellow legendary boxers Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier.
Foreman formally turned professional in 1969, profitable all 13 fights he participated in, with 11 wins coming through knockout.
George Foreman attends the Hublot x WBC “Evening of Champions” Gala on the Encore Resort on Could 03, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Roger Kisby/Getty Photographs for Hublot)
4 years later, Foreman received the heavyweight title with a surprising second-round knockout of the beforehand undefeated Frazier in 1973. He defended his title twice, however then infamously misplaced his first skilled match to Ali within the iconic 1974 match dubbed “Rumble within the Jungle.” That match was famously fought in Kinshasa, Zaire, which is now referred to as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
PRO BOXING MATCH COULD TAKE PLACE AT ALCATRAZ THIS SUMMER: REPORT
Foreman then retired after a loss to Jimmy Younger in 1977, however returned to boxing 10 years later after a self-described spiritual awakening. By 1994 at age 45, Foreman had received the unified WBA, IBF, and lineal heavyweight championship titles in his return.
After profitable bouts in his second stint, at 46 years outdated, he grew to become the oldest world heavyweight champion within the historical past of boxing. Foreman can be the oldest boxer to ever win the world heavyweight boxing championship of main honors and the second-oldest in any weight class.
George Foreman speaks onstage through the Massive George Foreman screening at Regal Atlantic Station on April 12, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin/Getty Photographs for Sony Footage Releasing)
He then retired for good in 1997 on the age of 48, with a ultimate report of 76 wins, with 68 coming through knockout, and simply 5 losses.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In his post-boxing profession, Foreman grew to become a profitable entrepreneur when he licensed his likeness to the house equipment firm Salton, Inc., now referred to as Russell Hobbs Inc., to launch the George Foreman Grill – a moveable electrical grill that went on to change into a standard family equipment.
Fox Information Digital’s Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
