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George Foreman, Fearsome Heavyweight Who Became Beloved Champion, Dies at 76

BBG News

In my twenties, I, George Foreman, rose to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the boxing world. But then, in a fight that would go down in history as one of the most iconic, I lost my title to Muhammad Ali.

In the year 1994, George Foreman, who was then 45 years old, claimed the heavyweight championship title in a shocking turn of events. He executed a flawless sequence of punches to snatch the title away from Michael Moorer, making him the oldest man ever to hold

As a passionate cinephile might say, there aren’t many characters who’ve had as many pivotal scenes as Big George Foreman – and what’s fascinating is that his grand finale in the ring was just the beginning of a whole new act.

On Friday night, Muhammad Ali’s formidable opponent from their legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” match, who later rose to fame as an unexpected boxing champion and prosperous entrepreneur, passed away at the age of 76.

Foreman’s family announced his death on social media, not saying how or where he died.

This individual, known for his deep religious devotion, strong marital commitment, affectionate parenting, and immense pride in his grand- and great-grandchildren, led a life characterized by unshakeable faith, humility, and determination,” his family penned. “He was not only a humanitarian and an Olympic athlete who twice held the title of heavyweight champion of the world, but also someone deeply admired for his good deeds. A pillar of strength, he stood firm in his principles, guarding his reputation zealously, working tirelessly to uphold his honorable name — all for his family.

As a born-and-bred Texan, I found myself captivated by the story of George Foreman – a boxer who initially struck terror and admiration as he ascended to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division with a knockout victory over Joe Frazier in 1973. However, the enigmatic aura surrounding him dissipated just a year later when Muhammad Ali orchestrated one of the most daring upsets in boxing lore during their legendary showdown in Zaire. The charismatic Ali goaded and provoked Foreman, ultimately leading to his downfall and loss of the title.

A while ago, the coach stepped away from sports for about a decade, only to reappear afterwards following what he referred to as a spiritual transformation in his life.

In a remarkable turn of events, the seasoned boxer managed to deliver one of the most breathtaking knockouts ever seen in the ring, leaving his younger opponent, Moorer, sprawled out – a full 20 years his junior. With a precision right hook, he knocked Moorer unconscious and seized both heavyweight titles that belonged to him. The time span between Foreman’s reigns as heavyweight champion stands at an impressive 20 years, making it the longest in history.

After fully transforming into an inspiring personality, Foreman fought just four more bouts, ending his boxing career with a record of 76 wins, 5 losses, and 68 knockouts. Later, he switched to a career as a friendly entrepreneur, promoter, and occasional actor.

Or:

Foreman’s metamorphosis into an inspiring individual was complete, leading him to box only four more times before retiring with a record of 76 victories, 5 defeats, and 68 knockouts. Subsequently, he pursued a career as a successful businessman, pitchman, and sometimes actor.

Or:

Foreman’s journey from an ordinary boxer to an inspiring figure was complete when he fought just four more matches, concluding his boxing career with 76 wins, 5 losses, and 68 knockouts. He then moved on to a career as a prosperous entrepreneur, promoter, and the occasional actor.

Beyond the boxing arena, he gained significant recognition for being associated with the George Foreman Grill, a product that debuted coincidentally in the same year as his win against Moorer. This straightforward appliance achieved remarkable sales of over 100 million units, making him substantially wealthier than his sports career alone.

Bob Arum, the top-ranking president, shared that George had been more than just a friend to me; he was also cherished by my entire family. With his passing, we’ve lost a dear family member, leaving us heartbroken and deeply saddened.

Initially in his boxing journey, Foreman wasn’t at all the jovial grandfather figure who became famous for selling his grills on TV.

Or:

In the early stages of his boxing career, Foreman was far from the friendly grandfather character known for marketing his grills successfully on television.

Growing up in Houston’s Fifth Ward, I found myself entangled in petty crimes. However, my life took an extraordinary turn with boxing. My perseverance and passion for the sport earned me a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in 1968, an achievement that came at just a teenager. In Mexico City, I faced an opponent twice my age, but the fight ended in a gold-medal victory, marking a pivotal moment in my career and setting me on the path to stardom.

Over the following five years, the foreman ascended to the peak of professional sports. However, he was often viewed as a distant and unapproachable sports figure, not only due to his attitude but also because of the racially biased perspectives prevalent during that era.

Jim Lampley, a long-time boxing commentator who worked with Foreman for numerous years at HBO, shared with The Associated Press on Friday evening that Foreman’s initial attitude was a deliberate imitation by his team of Sonny Liston, the ominous heavyweight champion from the 1960s.

“At some point somewhere along the way, he realized that wasn’t him,” Lampley said.

In a surprising turn of events, boxer Foreman knocked out Frazier in Jamaica during January 1973 to claim the title. This powerful punch led sports commentator Howard Cosell to make a memorable announcement: “Frazier has fallen! Frazier has fallen!

In a legendary match arranged by promoter Don King in Africa, Foreman initially held onto his title by battling Ken Norton. However, he later agreed to face Ali, who displayed an impressive strategic performance against Foreman, employing the “rope-a-dope” technique that left the champion bewildered and enraged. Eventually, Foreman suffered his first career knockdown in this fight, leading to its suspension in the eighth round.

In 2014, Foreman shared with the BBC that he accepted the fight primarily as a charitable gesture towards Ali, whom he believed was financially struggling.

I had stated that I intended to confront him and end the situation violently, to which some people responded, ‘Please, avoid using the word ‘kill’ with regard to Muhammad.’ So, I reassured them by saying, ‘Alright, instead of killing him, I’ll simply knock him to the ground.’ This was my belief in how straightforward the encounter would be.

Tired and losing faith, Foreman retired from boxing in 1977 and spent most of the following decade preaching and working with children in Houston after experiencing a spiritual transformation. He came back to boxing in 1987 at an older age, aiming to challenge time by frequently fighting in the ring. Over the years that followed, he accumulated numerous victories until facing Evander Holyfield in a challenging title match in 1991, which was surprisingly close.

Three years on, Foreman stepped into the ring against Moorer in Las Vegas, not so much for his fighting skills but for his fame. The champion seemed to easily win the first nine rounds, with Foreman struggling to throw his slower punches. However, in the 10th round, Foreman showed signs of life, causing Moorer pain before delivering a devastating short right hook that knocked Moorer down dramatically.

Lampley, the commentator, titled his forthcoming memoir, “It Happened!”, a nod to his iconic shout-out during that historic event; this book will feature an introduction about Foreman.

1997 marked the permanent retirement of Foreman from the ring, yet occasional talks about a return occasionally surfaced. He transitioned into a role as a boxing analyst for HBO and endorsed the grills that boosted his popularity and wealth. Over time, many came to recognize Foreman not only as a friendly companion but also as a fearsome fighter.

He took on the role of a charismatic product endorser, always sporting a broad, unyielding smile,” Lampley reminisced. “When I collaborated with him, people would often comment, ‘George is quite the jester.’ But I’d counter, ‘Sure, you can call him a jester, but he’s more than that—he’s brilliant. He might just be the most brilliant person I’ve ever encountered.’ And they’d ask, ‘Brilliant, what do you mean?’ I’d respond, ‘Well, examine his wealth. If that doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will.’ So, he was indeed a genius—a human genius.

In the 1990s, the foreman had a short stint in a television sitcom titled “George.” More recently, he took part in the reality singing contest “The Masked Singer” in 2022. A biographical film about his life hit theaters in 2023.

Foreman had 12 children, including five sons who are all famously named George Edward Foreman.

Mauricio Sulaiman, the esteemed president of the World Boxing Council, penned a tribute on social media: ‘George Foreman, a legendary boxer, transformative preacher, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, was also an exceptional friend.’ His spirit lives on forever; may Big George find eternal peace.

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2025-03-22 20:06

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