Houston (Texas) [US]: Boxing icon George Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, passed away on Friday at the age of 76, his family confirmed through social media, as per ESPN.
Tributes Pour In for Foreman
Fellow boxing legend Mike Tyson paid tribute on his official X handle, writing,
“Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
A Storied Career in Boxing
Foreman first gained fame by winning a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics before embarking on a professional career that saw him become a two-time heavyweight world champion and a Hall of Fame inductee.
One of his most memorable fights came in 1974 when he faced Muhammad Ali in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire. Despite being the favorite, Foreman suffered a stunning eighth-round knockout loss in one of the most famous boxing matches of all time. The fight was later immortalized in the Oscar-winning documentary “When We Were Kings.”
Retirement, Comeback, and Historic Victory
After securing notable victories, including knockout wins over Joe Frazier and Ron Lyle, Foreman shocked the world by retiring at the age of 28 to become an ordained minister in Texas.
However, in 1987, he made an unexpected return to boxing at the age of 38. In 1991, he challenged Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight championship, pushing the younger champion to the limit before losing by decision.
Foreman’s greatest triumph came in 1994 when, at age 45, he knocked out Michael Moorer with a two-punch combination to reclaim the heavyweight title. This victory made him the oldest world champion in boxing history, a record that stood for two decades.
Life Beyond Boxing
Following his retirement after a majority-decision loss to Shannon Briggs in 1997, Foreman worked as a boxing analyst for HBO. Recognized as one of the hardest punchers in history, The Ring ranked him ninth on their list of greatest punchers of all time. In 2002, he was named among the top 25 boxers of the past 80 years.
George Foreman’s legacy extends beyond the ring, as he became an inspiration for resilience, redemption, and success. His contributions to the sport and beyond will be remembered for generations.