TEXAS – George Foreman, the legendary former two-time world heavyweight champion, has passed away at the age of 76, according to a statement from his family on March 21. Foreman, who was born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, grew up in a single-parent household with six siblings. He turned to street crime before finding a way out through boxing, where he gained international recognition, including a gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics at just 19 years old.
Foreman won his first world heavyweight title in 1973, knocking out Joe Frazier in the second round. After successfully defending his title twice, he lost his championship to boxing legend Muhammad Ali in the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974. Foreman retired in 1977 due to health issues and focused on becoming a religious minister.
However, in 1987, Foreman made an astonishing comeback to the boxing ring at 38 years old. His resilience and determination led him to regain the heavyweight title in 1994 at the age of 45, making him the oldest world champion in history. Foreman defended the title three times before losing to Shannon Briggs in 1997, after which he retired for good.
Beyond boxing, Foreman was a devout preacher, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a committed humanitarian. He was married five times and had 12 children. Foreman passed away on March 21, at the Houston hospital in Texas.
His family expressed their sorrow on social media, saying, “Our hearts are broken. He was a man of faith, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather.” The family described him as a humanitarian, an Olympic athlete, and a two-time world heavyweight champion who would be deeply missed.
Mike Tyson, a former heavyweight champion, paid tribute to Foreman, saying, “What he contributed to the world of boxing will never be forgotten.”
