Latest news with #WhenWeWereKings
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
This Will Hurt! Boxing Legend and Pitchman George Foreman Passes at 76
The world is mourning the loss of yet another titan. George Foreman, heavyweight champion and boxing legend, has passed away at 76. Known as 'Big George,' Foreman was a two-time heavyweight champion who not only broke the mold inside of the ring but became an incredibly successful businessman and entrepreneur as well, known of course, for the George Foreman Grill. Foreman's family took to social media to announce his death on Friday, sharing a post that has reached over 70,000 likes. Under a post of Foreman with his entire family, the caption 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,' the caption concludes. Hailing from Texas, Foreman's professional boxing career began in the late 60s, when he joined the U.S. boxing team during the 1968 Olympics and won the Olympic Games Heavyweight Gold Medal. He then spent the early 70s climbing to the top of the heavyweight division, stopping the then-undefeated Joe Frazier in 1973. The next year, however, came the 'Rumble in the Jungle,' the name given to one of the most iconic fights of all time: George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali. Foreman famously lost the fight and his title that night, leaving the sport entirely a few years later. He wasn't done just yet, however. After 10 years and a spiritual awakening (he became a born-again Christian), Foreman made his grand return to the ring, working his way up to reclaiming that very heavyweight title he lost to Ali. In 'Michael Moorer vs. George Foreman,' Foreman claimed Moorer's two heavyweight belts, as AP News reports, making Foreman's 20-year gap the 'longest gap between heavyweight title reigns.' Shortly after this win and reclamation twenty years in the making, Foreman entered the next chapter of his public life: as an entrepreneur. Launched the same year as his victory over Moorer, the George Foreman Grill was an incredible success, selling over 100 million units. There are many projects and films dedicated to the legacy and impact of Foreman, including the famous documentary 'When We Were Kings.' The 1996 documentary chronicles the 'Rumble in the Jungle,' and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. A film about Foreman's life and career, 'Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World,' was released by Sony Pictures in 2023. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to honor Foreman. 'Condolences to George Foreman's family,' he wrote in the post. 'His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.' Foreman has 12 children in total, with his five sons all named George Edward Foreman. A cause of death or where he passed has not been revealed. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Sky News
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
US heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies age 76
US heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman has died age 76. The two-time champion fought Muhammad Ali in one of the sport's most legendary fights, the 'Rumble in the Jungle'. He was also well known for his popular range of electric grills. A statement on his Instagram account said he died peacefully on Friday "surrounded by loved ones" after an "extraordinary life". It added: "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." Mike Tyson was one of the first to pay tribute, saying his "contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten". Foreman was considered virtually unbeatable in the famous 1974 fight in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ali, 32, was trying to return to the top against his fearsome, undefeated opponent - just 25 at the time. Despite being underdog, Ali's 'rope-a-dope' tactics of soaking up Foreman's attacks wore out the brutal puncher and he regained the title against the odds. Believed to be one of the most-watched sports events ever, a documentary on the fight called When We Were Kings won an Oscar in 1996. Foreman was devastated by the loss, but 20 years later staged his own miraculous comeback - knocking out Michael Moorer to became the oldest-ever heavyweight champion at age 45. Outside the ring, his transformation from a brooding boxer to a jovial, TV-friendly personality helped make him a fortune with his range of grills in the 1990s. The boxer known to fans as 'Big George' was born in Marshall, Texas, on 10 January 1949. He and his six siblings were raised by a single mother. Foreman dropped out of school and got mixed up in street robberies, but years later said President Johnson's Job Corps initiative "rescued me from the gutter". The 16-year-old left Texas and was encouraged to get into boxing. Just three years later, in his 25th amateur bout, he won gold at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Foreman turned pro and reeled off 37 wins before demolishing the undefeated Joe Frazier in two rounds to become heavyweight champion for the first time in 1973. Crushed by his shock loss to Ali a few fights later, he took a year off before stepping inside the ring again. But after a second career loss in 1977 - and what he described as a near-death experience in the dressing room - he stopped fighting. He became a born-again Christian and ordained minister. However, 'Big George' was back inside the ropes a decade later. Trimming down his physique along the way, he won 24 fights in a row before losing on points to Evander Holyfield in 1991. Foreman wasn't done though - and his long road back was finally complete in Las Vegas three years later. Wearing the same red shorts from the Ali fight and behind on the scorecards, he knocked out Michael Moorer, 19 years his junior, to win the IBF and WBA titles. Foreman's 20-year gap between world titles was a record - and he retired for good in 1997 - with a record of 76 wins and five losses. He was married five times and had five sons - all called George - and seven daughters.
