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CNN
22-03-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Boxing heavyweight great George Foreman, who fought Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle,' dead at 76
George Foreman, the two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist whose legendary rivalry with Muhammad Ali culminated in the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' title bout, died Friday according to a verified social media account dedicated to Foreman. He was 76. The Instgram post reads: '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. 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. 'A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family. '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.' Known as one of the most powerful punchers in boxing history, Foreman won Olympic gold in only his 25th amateur fight devastated one of the all-time greats in Joe Frazier and went on to retain the heavyweight title twice before his now-iconic 1974 fight with Ali in Kinshasha, Zaire - now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Foreman's victory over Soviet fighter Jonas Čepulis at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico sparked the beginning of his professional career, but his celebration was also significant. He took a small American flag and waved it to every corner of the stadium – a memorable moment, given that just ten days earlier his US teammates Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the Black Power salute on the podium. It was an action for which Foreman has no regrets, despite backlash when he returned to the US. He told The Undefeated: 'When I walked into the Olympic Village, I saw a couple of athletes who looked like me. I went to speak to them, but they couldn't speak English. For the first time, I realized that the only thing that could identify us was our nation's colors. 'I waved the flag so they knew I was American. Everyone started applauding, so I waved it higher. That is the only reason I had that flag. If I had to do it all over again, I would have had two flags in my pocket.' He continued: 'I proudly walked down Lyons Avenue in the Fifth Ward [in Houston] wearing my medal. A guy I thought was a friend walked up, looked me in the face and said, 'How could you do what you did when the brothers [Smith and Carlos] were doing their thing?' It … broke … my … heart. I didn't expect that.' Foreman turned professional, and won his first 37 bouts before taking on world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, in January 1973. Despite being the clear underdog, Foreman knocked Frazier down six times in two rounds to claim the WBA and WBC heavyweight belts, and become heavyweight champion. His two defenses of the title - first downing Puerto Rico's Jose Roman in 50 seconds and then beating American Ken Norton, who had just defeated Ali, in just two rounds – set up the 'Rumble in the Jungle' bout in Zaire in October 1974. The event had huge cultural and political significance. The decision to hold the fight in Zaire was controversial, with criticism over human rights abuses and corruption under late President Mobutu Sese Seko. It was also seen as a platform for Black athletes to promote African unity. The fight itself – which saw both contenders guaranteed $5 million each, a huge amount at the time in the sport - is seen as one of the greatest ever. Using a tactic later known as 'rope-a-dope,' Ali was able to withstand Foreman's punches by leaning back on the ropes, before landing a series of blows in the eighth round in what turned out to be his only knockout defeat in a 28-year professional career. 'I thought this would be the easiest $5 million I was going to pick up,' Foreman told CNN following Ali's death in 2016. 'I hit him hard in the third round, and he looked at me as if to say, 'I'm not gonna take it!' 'He hit me with a quick one-two, knocked me down to the canvas and my whole life changed. I was devastated. Little did I know I would make the best friend I ever had in my life.' This is a developing story and will be updated.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
George Foreman, Heavyweight Boxing Champion and Famed Entrepreneur, Dead at 76
George Foreman, whose colossal career in the ring saw the legendary boxer take home two heavyweight championships, has died at the age of 76. HIs family announced his death on Foreman's Instagram account. '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,' read the caption, which was posted alongside a photo of the boxing champion with his family. '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.' More from Rolling Stone Marty Callner, Director of Iconic Cher and Aerosmith Music Videos, Dead at 78 Aurelio Martínez, Honduran Musician and Star of Garifuna Music, Dead at 55 Jesse Colin Young, Youngbloods Frontman Who Sang Sixties Hit 'Get Together,' Dead at 83 The statement also highlighted Foreman's achievements as a 'humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world,' writing how the icon was a 'force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family.' No cause of death was given. Foreman first won the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, triumphing over Joe Frazier in Jamaica. Turning professional the following year, Foreman won the world heavyweight title in 1973 with a victorious knockout of then-undefeated Joe Frazier. He would also go on to fight Muhammad Ali in 1974 during the historic 'Rumble in the Jungle' in Zaire. When he returned to the ring despite public skepticism, he beat the undefeated Michael Moorer in 1994 to reclaim the world title. Outside boxing, he transformed his worldwide fame into a booming business as an entrepreneur known for his George Foreman Grill, which has sold more than 100 million units globally. This is a developing story. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
Boston Globe
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Former heavyweight champion George Foreman dies at age 76
A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt in one of the greatest fights ever staged. Advertisement Foreman left the sport a few years later, but returned after a 10-year absence and a self-described religious awakening. He then pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts in boxing history in 1994, flooring Michael Moorer — 19 years his junior — with one perfect combination to claim Moorer's two heavyweight belts. Foreman's transformation into an inspirational figure was complete, and he fought only four more times before moving onto his next career as a genial businessman, pitchman, and occasional actor. He was best known as the face of the George Foreman Grill, a rudimentary cooking machine which sold more than 100 million units and made him much wealthier than his sport ever did.
