HOUSTON, USA — George Foreman, the two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medallist whose explosive punching power and remarkable comebacks defined multiple eras of the sport, died on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the age of 76.
His death was confirmed in a statement posted to a verified social media account dedicated to him.
“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… A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two-time heavyweight champion of the world, he was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy.”
Foreman’s legacy extended far beyond boxing. He was a preacher, entrepreneur, television personality, and father to 12 children — including five sons all named George.
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The Making of a Champion
Born in Houston’s Fifth Ward in 1949, Foreman overcame a troubled youth marked by poverty and school truancy. He joined the Job Corps at 16, where he met boxing coach Doc Broaddus, a pivotal figure who introduced him to the sport.
Just two years later, Foreman stunned the world by winning gold at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics in only his 25th amateur bout.
After defeating Soviet boxer Jonas Čepulis, Foreman celebrated by waving a small American flag — a moment that sparked both pride and controversy in the context of civil rights protests at the Games.
“I waved the flag so they knew I was American,” he later recalled.
“Everyone started applauding, so I waved it higher… If I had to do it all over again, I would have had two flags in my pocket.”
‘Down Goes Frazier!’ and the Rise of a Heavyweight Titan
Turning professional shortly after the Olympics, Foreman bulldozed his way to the top with 37 consecutive wins.
In 1973, he faced then-champion Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, knocking him down six times in just two rounds to claim the heavyweight crown.
After defending his title twice, including a swift two-round demolition of Ken Norton, Foreman squared off against Muhammad Ali in one of boxing’s most storied events — the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire.
Ali used his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy to wear Foreman down and scored a stunning knockout in the eighth round, handing Foreman his first professional loss.
“I thought this would be the easiest $5 million I was going to pick up,” Foreman told CNN in 2016.
“Little did I know I would make the best friend I ever had in my life.”
Ministry, Redemption and a Legendary Comeback
Shaken by a subsequent loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman had what he described as a religious epiphany in the dressing room and retired from boxing.
He became an ordained Christian minister and opened a youth centre in Houston.
A decade later, he made an unlikely return to the ring at age 39 — heavier and slower, but just as dangerous.
In 1991, he challenged Evander Holyfield in a spirited title bout dubbed the “Battle of the Ages.” He lost on points, but won widespread admiration.
Then in 1994, 20 years after losing his title to Ali, Foreman shocked the boxing world by knocking out Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight crown at age 45 — making him the oldest man ever to win the title.
“The second time I made a point of believing it,” Foreman told Boxing News in 2023. “The first time I didn’t believe it… It could be a dream.”
He retired permanently in 1997 with a record of 76 wins (68 by knockout) and five losses.
Beyond the Ring
Foreman’s fame surged in the 1990s with the wildly successful launch of the George Foreman Grill, a product that reportedly sold over 100 million units globally.
He also dabbled in television, appearing on sitcoms, reality shows, and even “The Masked Singer.”
A feature film based on his life, Big George Foreman, was released in 2023, prompting the boxer to reflect publicly on the trials of his early years.
“It’s not easy to tell a story about your life when you really spend a lifetime hiding your life,” he said.
He continued to preach throughout his life and remained active in charitable work.
“My mother would have approved of [my ministry work] in a way she never did my boxing,” he told Sorted magazine in 2024.
Controversies and Personal Tragedy
In 2019, Foreman faced the loss of his daughter Freeda, herself a former professional boxer, who died by apparent suicide.
In 2022, he was named in lawsuits alleging sexual abuse in the 1970s, which he firmly denied. The cases were ongoing at the time of his death.
A Fighter’s Legacy
George Foreman leaves behind a unique legacy — not just as one of the sport’s hardest hitters, but as a man who bridged worlds: Olympic champion, ordained preacher, entrepreneur, and late-blooming sports icon.
He is survived by his wife Mary Joan, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers,” the family said in its statement, “and kindly ask for privacy as we honour the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.”
