Houston (Texas) [US], March 22 : Boxing legend George Foreman, one of the most iconic and influential figures in the sport’s history, passed away on Friday at the age of 76, his family confirmed through his social media account, as reported by ESPN.
Mike Tyson, another boxing icon, expressed his condolences on his official X handle, writing, “Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion, first rose to prominence by winning a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics. He went on to become a two-time heavyweight world champion and was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
One of his most unforgettable moments came in 1974 when he faced Muhammad Ali in the historic Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire. Foreman, the favorite, was shockingly knocked out in the eighth round, a defeat that is still regarded as one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. This legendary fight was later immortalized in the Oscar-winning documentary When We Were Kings.
Following the loss to Ali, Foreman continued to make waves in the sport with notable victories, including a fifth-round TKO against Joe Frazier. He also delivered a memorable knockout against Ron Lyle.
At just 28 years old, Foreman made the surprising decision to retire from boxing and become an ordained minister in his home state of Texas.
A decade later, in 1987, Foreman made an unexpected return to the ring at 38. In 1991, he faced Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight championship, pushing the younger champion to the limit before losing by decision.
However, Foreman’s defining moment came in 1994, at the age of 45, when he knocked out Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight title. This victory made him the oldest world champion in boxing history, a record he held for two decades.
After retiring from the sport, Foreman worked as a boxing analyst for HBO. His final fight came in 1997 when he suffered a majority-decision loss to Shannon Briggs.
Recognized as one of the hardest punchers in history, The Ring ranked him ninth on their list of greatest punchers of all time, and in 2002, he was named one of the top 25 boxers of the past 80 years.
Foreman’s influence extended far beyond the ring. Known for his redemption story, resilience, and success, he left an indelible legacy in the world of boxing, inspiring generations with his remarkable journey.