Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman has passed away at 76 years old.
The statement given by his family did not provide a cause of death as he was described as having peacefully died surrounded by loved ones. Foreman’s life will always be remembered by many as he was also a pastor and a businessman.
The height of Foreman’s boxing career came in 1973, when he defeated Joe Frazier to win the heavyweight belt. Foreman was then able to defend his title twice through knockout victories against Jose Roman and Ken Norton. His third title defense was against Muhammad Ali in the fight that was later dubbed “The Rumble in the Jungle,” which Ali won by knockout. This fight was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history that made Ali a legend. Despite returning to the ring in 1974 after a yearlong hiatus, Foreman was unable to win the belt back.
In 1977, Foreman retired from boxing to become an ordained minister where he founded The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in his hometown, Houston, Texas. During his retirement, Foreman founded the George Foreman Youth and Community Center, a non-profit organization that assisted children in need. The Center helped several individuals in his hometown as it offered various sporting activities as well as mentorship and guidance for the youth.
With financial troubles emerging, Foreman returned to the ring in 1987, nearly ten years after his last fight. At the age of 38, many expected Foreman to struggle initially. However, Foreman proved his critics wrong by winning 13 bouts over the next year, including one against Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight Champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi. The comeback reached new heights when Foreman defeated Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion at 45 years old. After compiling a 76-5 record, Foreman retired from boxing and became a Home Box Office (HBO) commentator. He also launched the George Foreman Grill, an electric grill that has sold over 100 million units worldwide.
Foreman’s impact on boxing will always be remembered. In an era where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were in their prime, Foreman was able to secure the heavyweight championship. His comeback was even more impressive as he had to change his boxing style to one that was less intense and allowed him to stay competitive for 12 rounds. This adjustment separated Foreman from other boxers as he showed that he was able to compete in multiple eras. Today, George Foreman leaves behind a strong legacy in both boxing and his local community.
