Latest news with #WorldBoxingHallofFame
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Heavyweight Boxing Champ George Foreman Dead at 76
Famed boxing champion George Foreman died Friday at the age of 76, his family announced in a statement on social media. '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,' the family said. 'Our hearts are broken.' The family did not immediately reveal the cause of death. The statement described Foreman as a 'devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather.' Boxing promotion company Top Rank called Foreman 'one of the biggest punchers and personalities the sport has ever seen.' 'George was a great friend to not only myself but to my entire family,' Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said in a statement posted on the organization's website. 'We've lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.' Condolences poured in on social media, where Mike Tyson paid his respects. 'His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten,' he wrote in a post on X. Basketball legend Scottie Pippen joined in. 'Rest in peace, George Foreman,' he wrote on X. 'Your legacy lives on, champ.' Foreman, who grew up in Houston, Texas, won the gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City and turned pro the following year. In 1973, he captured the heavyweight title against Joe Frazier, having done so with an undefeated record. Foreman unsuccessfully defended his title against Muhammad Ali in 1974's famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' and retired for the first time in 1977. He returned to the sport after 10 years and became the sport's oldest heavyweight champion at 45 years old in 1994. Foreman hung up the gloves for the final time in 1997 and was soon inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame. After his retirement, Foreman was a boxing analyst for HBO for several years, and as a businessman launched the George Foreman Grill, selling over 100 million units. '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,' the family said. This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
USA Today
22-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What was 'Rumble in the Jungle'? Remembering epic George Foreman-Muhammad Ali fight
What was 'Rumble in the Jungle'? Remembering epic George Foreman-Muhammad Ali fight Legendary boxer George Foreman has died at the age of 76 years old, according to a statement released Friday by his family on his official Instagram account. In 1994, Foreman became the oldest world heavyweight champion in history by knocking out Michael Moorer at age 46 years and 169 days old. He retired in 1997 at the age of 48 and was inducted into both the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Foreman had 81 fights during his career with an overall record of 76-5 (68 wins by knockout), but arguably his most notable bout of his career happened when he battled against Muhammad Ali on Oct. 30, 1974. The fight was known as the "Rumble in the Jungle." What was the Rumble in the Jungle? George Foreman put his heavyweight championships on the line against Muhammad Ali at Stade Tata Raphaël, a stadium in Africa, and the fight was billed as the "Rumble in the Jungle." The fight was watched by 50 million people using closed-circuit television, according to an article in The Hartford Courant. The bout was named the 1974 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year. How did Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman? Foreman was undefeated before the fight but was knocked out by Ali in the eighth round. Ali earned the WBA, WBC, and The Ring undisputed heavyweight titles. Ali used his "rope-a-dope" tactics by leaning against the ropes to dodge some of Foreman's strikes and draining his energy before capitalizing on an opportunity to bring the champion down. The fight was once considered the most-watched live televised broadcast event at that time. "It was really strange," Foreman said during an interview with CBS while reflecting on his fight with Ali. "I thought I would knock him out in one or two rounds but in the third round, I'd hit him and he fell on me and I thought, 'That's it.' And he started screaming, 'That's all you got George, show me something.' And I knew then I was in the wrong place at the wrong time." How did Rumble in the Jungle impact other fighters? Lennox Lewis fought Hasim Rahman in a heavyweight championship match in South Africa in 2001. "I remember watching the (Rumble in the Jungle) fight and it was like a Super Bowl," Lewis told Box Nation. "It stood in my memory for so long that I said to myself, 'As a champion I want to fight in Africa.' "My outcome wasn't like Muhammad Ali's but I still fought in Africa." Rahman was the betting underdog but produced another upset Africa, knocking out Lewis in the fifth round. Rumble in the Jungle highlights: George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sports world remembers boxing legend George Foreman, who died at 76
Former Olympic and heavyweight boxing champ George Foreman died on Friday at the age of 76, his family announced on social media. "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," the Instagram post said. Foreman had a professional record of 76-5 (68 wins by knockout) and was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The sports world and other took to social media to remember the champ: Condolences to George Foreman's family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten. — Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 22, 2025 Rest in peace, George Foreman. Your legacy lives on, champ. 🕊️ — Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 22, 2025 Condolences to the family of George Foreman. 😔 — William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 22, 2025 Heartbroken to hear about my guy @GeorgeForeman . Loved this guy. Had the pleasure of traveling, talking, crying , arguing, eating and hanging with this guy all over the globe on a project called 'Better Late Than Never'. Gonna miss you champ. — Jeff Dye (@JeffDye) March 22, 2025 Statement from Mayor John Whitmire: 'Tonight, we mourn the loss of Houston legend George Foreman. In 1973, I was honored to welcome Foreman to the State Capitol along with my then-colleague, Mickey world knew Foreman as a two-time heavyweight champion; we knew him… — City of Houston (@HoustonTX) March 22, 2025 This article originally appeared on Sports world remembers boxing legend George Foreman, who died at 76
USA Today
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Who was George Foreman? What to know about boxing legend, TV star and ordained minister
Who was George Foreman? What to know about boxing legend, TV star and ordained minister From winning an Olympic medal and going toe to toe with Muhammad Ali to creating the George Foreman Grill and preaching God's word in his beloved Houston, Foreman had many talents and interests Boxing legend, family man and tireless entrepreneur George Foreman died at the age of 76 on Friday, his loved ones confirmed on social media. The Olympic gold medalist was known for a great many things, including his 'Rumble in the Jungle' loss to Muhammad Ali, in 1976, and how he − incredibly − became the oldest world heavyweight champion in history at the age of 46 in 1997. Throughout his storied boxing career, Foreman won 76 of 81 total fights, and was later inducted into both the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Aside from the sport he pursued a wide array of interests, from television and an infamous kitchen appliance to books and the ministry. "My life is much more than boxing – I've been knocked out more outside the ring than in the ring," Foreman told USA TODAY in 2023. Here's what else you need to know about Foreman. Widely known for two historic comeback fights Long before he was a Hall of Famer, Foreman won an Olympic gold medal first in 1968 when waved a small American flag across four corners of an auditorium in Mexico City. Though Foreman is known for his many victories in the ring, one of his most memorable fights was when he lost to Muhammad Ali in the famous battle "Rumble in the Jungle." The spectacle took place on Oct. 30, 1974, when a then-25-year-old Foreman took on a 32-year-old Ali at the Stade des Martyrs stadium in In Zaire. An underdog, Ali made a comeback after losing his world title when he declined to be drafted for the Vietnam War. Foreman returned to boxing in 1987 at the age of 38 after a 10-year hiatus from the ring and managed a historic comeback in 1994 when, at the age of 46, he defeated 26-year-old Michael Moorer after coming out of retirement. Foreman had 12 children, including 5 sons named George While balancing an illustrious career, Foreman also cemented his status as great father to 12 children, including five sons named after him. George Jr., George III, George Foreman IV, George Foreman V and George Foreman VI share the same name as Foreman, who wanted them to never feel disconnected from their family or their past, according his 2001 memoir "George Foreman's Guide to Life." "I named all my sons George Edward Foreman so they would always have something in common," Foreman wrote on his website. "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 starred in sitcom and reality travel show Since his retirement, Foreman tried out various television projects, including the self-titled 'George' sitcom in which he played a retired boxer helping troubled kids in an after-school program. The show, produced by actor Tony Danza, aired in 1993 and 1994 on ABC. The show starred Sheryl Lee Ralph as Foreman's wife before she skyrocketed to fame with her Emmy-winning turn in 'Abbott Elementary.' 'My heart is with the Foreman family today,' Ralph posted on Threads. 'George had a smile as wide as his spirit and a heart full of kindness. I'll never forget how eager he was to learn, grow, and give his all.' She shared a couple images from their show, saying they took her back to 1993. 'From the ring to the screen, he showed up with joy, humility, and heart,' she said. 'Rest well, my friend.' More recently, Foreman appeared on a charming reality travel show about aging famous men getting out of their comfort zone. In 'Better Late Than Never,' Foreman traveled to Japan, China, Germany, Sweden, Spain, and Morroco alongside fellow legendary athlete Terry Bradshaw and actors William Shatner, and Henry Winkler. The show aired on NBC from 2016 to 2018, when Foreman was in his late 60s. He posted on X that the globetrotting experience 'made me a better person.' In 2023, Khris Davis played Foreman in the biopic, "Big George Foreman." Also known for as author, ordained minister and grillmaster Foreman was a man of many talents and interests. Among those he was best known for was his George Foreman Grill, which became a staple in many American households in the late 1990s and early 2000s after the legend endorsed the electric gadget in an infomercial in which he famously said: 'It's so good, I put my name on it.' Foreman sold the grill as a tool for Americans to get healthier and as a way for people who wanted the flavor of a grill without as much hassle. Immediately following Foreman's retirement, he became an ordained minister, started preaching on a Houston radio show and led informal Bible studies. That eventually led him to host outdoor 'revival' services while renovating an old building on the northeast side of Houston and turning it into a church, according to Foreman's website. Foreman has written multiple books, including 'Knockout Entrepreneur,' aimed at sharing his keys to success. 'The world is full of people who want to play it safe, people who have tremendous potential but never use it,' Foreman wrote in the 2010 book. 'Somewhere deep inside them, they know that they could do more in life, be more, and have more - if only they were willing to take a few risks.'
USA Today
22-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Boxing legend George Foreman dead at 76; combat sports community mourns
(This story originally appeared on Legendary boxer George Foreman has died at 76, according to a statement released by his family Friday night on his official Instagram account. The cause of death was not initially revealed by the family. Foreman had 81 total fights during his career with an overall record of 76-5 (68 wins by knockout). He was inducted into both the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He retired in 1997 at the age of 48. He became the oldest world heavyweight champion in history at 46. 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. Notable from throughout the combat sports community mourned Foreman's death: Condolences to George Foreman's family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten. — Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 22, 2025 Rest in Peace George Foreman and condolences to his entire family. He did great things inside and outside of the ring. Big George Forever Goated — Jake Paul (@jakepaul) March 22, 2025
