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Boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76

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Two-time world heavyweight champion George Foreman [76-5, 68 KOs], the legendary American boxer who famously regained his title two decades after his first reign, has passed away at the age of 76, his family has announced.

Foreman, who won Olympic gold in 1968, first became world champion in 1973 with a dominant victory over Joe Frazier. He would famously lose the belt a year later in the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” against Muhammad Ali.

Foreman
Muhammad Ali lands a blow on George Foreman during the Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire on October 30, 1974. Ken Regan/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

In a remarkable career resurgence, he stunned the world in 1994 at the age of 45 by knocking out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history.  

In a heartfelt post shared on the two-time champion’s Instagram page, his family confirmed that the 76-year-old died peacefully on Friday, 21 March, surrounded by his loved ones.  

“Our hearts are broken,” the statement read. “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.”

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by George Foreman (@biggeorgeforeman)

The family’s tribute highlighted his multifaceted life, describing him as “a devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather.”

They added that he “lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose” and was “deeply respected – a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy.”

News of Foreman’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the sporting world. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said Foreman’s “contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”  

Basketball icon Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, shared his sadness on X, formerly Twitter, calling Foreman “one of my boxing heroes.”

“I attended so many of George’s championship fights over his career,” Johnson wrote. “He was a knockout artist in the ring, and it was a pleasure getting to know him not only as a boxer but as a man.”

“After leaving the ring, he turned into an amazing businessman – I even bought one of the first George Foreman grills! (Johnson’s wife) Cookie and I will be praying for his family during this time.”

Foreman retired from professional boxing in 1997 with an impressive record of 76 wins, including 68 knockouts, and just five defeats.

Beyond the ring, Foreman achieved phenomenal success as an entrepreneur, with his eponymous George Foreman grill becoming a household name and selling millions worldwide. He was married five times and leaves behind 12 children.

Foreman
Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images

Frank Warren, a veteran boxing promoter who worked with Foreman during his comeback in the 1990s, fondly recalled two distinct phases in the boxer’s life.

“There were two George Foremans,” Warren said. “There was the George Foreman who, after the Olympics, ’68 Olympics, turned professional and he was quite a surly guy.”  

“Then there was the second coming after he gave up boxing and came back 10 years later, where he was like the most convivial, loveliest person you could meet. He was just a dream.”

Warren reminisced about bringing Foreman to London in 1990, describing him as “a joy to work with – he was a fabulous guy. Very, very humble in the way he was, had a lot of time for people. And he was a great fighter.”

He concluded by placing Foreman among the pantheon of heavyweight greats: “He was part of that holy trinity of heavyweight boxers, with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.”

“The great fights they had between them were special times for boxing and world sport. They’re events that have gone down as not just boxing, but significant moments in the world of sport.”

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