The legendary boxer starred alongside Muhammad Ali in one of the most important events of the 20th century.
Former American boxer George Foreman, two-time world heavyweight champion—in 1973 and 1994—and gold medalist at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, has died at the age of 76, his family announced on social media this Friday.
“Our hearts are broken. With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman, who passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones,” his family announced.
Foreman, born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, is recognized as one of the greatest boxers in history. In fact, the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) ranked him among the top ten in the heavyweight division.
With a professional record of 76 wins (68 by knockout) and only five losses, Foreman stood out for his strength and aggressiveness in the ring. He began his professional career in 1969 after winning the gold medal at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where he established himself as one of the most promising figures in world boxing.
His first professional fight was against Donald Walheim, whom he defeated by knockout in three rounds at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. Over the next two and a half years, his record was unbeaten, racking up 32 consecutive wins.
In 1973, Foreman reached the pinnacle of world boxing by defeating Joe Frazier in a bout in Kingston, Jamaica, earning him the world heavyweight title. In the following years, he defended his title against figures such as José ‘King’ Roman in Tokyo and Ken Norton in Caracas, Venezuela.
‘THE RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE’
However, in October 1974, in a historic fight known as ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ against Muhammad Ali, held in Zaire—the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo—Foreman lost the title.
This fight is one of the best in boxing history and one of the greatest sporting events of the 20th century, the ins and outs of which were captured more than two decades later in ‘When We Were Kings,’ which won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 1997, an award that both former boxers collected.
After his defeat, Foreman retired from boxing in 1977 and dedicated himself to preaching in Texas, undergoing a spiritual transformation. This transformation is reflected in the recent documentary “Big George Foreman,” released in 2023.
In 1987, a rejuvenated Foreman returned to the ring. In 1991, after several fights, he fought again for the heavyweight title against Evander Holyfield, losing on points. However, in 1995, at the age of 45, the boxer defeated 26-year-old Michael Moorer to become the world heavyweight champion.
Thus, Foreman became the oldest champion in boxing history. The American fought four more times after his historic victory, finally retiring in 1997 after a points loss to Shannon Briggs.
Beyond his sports career, the boxer has been a successful businessman and preacher. His family remembered him this way: “He lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and determination.” “A humanitarian, Olympian, and two-time world heavyweight champion, he was deeply respected: a force for good, a disciplined and determined man, and a protector of his legacy, who fought tirelessly to preserve his good name for his family,” they said.
