“Big” George Foreman, one of boxing’s most iconic and influential figures, passed away on Friday at the age of 76, his family announced on social media.
Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, was a towering presence in the sport. He gained global recognition for his legendary 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” fight against Muhammad Ali in Zaire, where he suffered a stunning eighth-round knockout loss. That bout remains one of boxing’s most historic moments, immortalized in the Oscar-winning documentary When We Were Kings.
Foreman first captured the heavyweight title in 1973 by defeating Joe Frazier in a dominant second-round stoppage. However, after losing to Ali and competing in a series of classic bouts—including a dramatic fifth-round knockout of Ron Lyle—he retired unexpectedly in 1977 at the age of 28, pursuing a new life as a minister in Texas.
A decade later, at 38, Foreman stunned the sports world by returning to the ring. Initially dismissed as a novelty, he soon proved his comeback was serious, pushing Evander Holyfield to the limit in a 1991 title fight. Though he lost, he remained undeterred. Then, in 1994, at age 45, Foreman achieved the unimaginable—knocking out Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight crown. He became the oldest world champion in boxing history, a record that stood for 20 years.
Beyond boxing, Foreman found massive success as a commentator and entrepreneur. The George Foreman Grill, launched in 1994, became a household staple, selling over 100 million units. In 1999, he sold the grill’s commercial rights for $138 million.
Foreman’s final fight was a 1997 loss to Shannon Briggs. He later worked as an HBO analyst for over a decade, solidifying his legacy in and out of the ring.
