Legendary Boxer George Foreman Passes Away at 76

Houston – Texas, 22 March – (www.deccanlive.com): Famous boxer George Foreman has passed away at the age of 76 in Houston, Texas. Known as “Big George” in the ring, the American athlete won an Olympic gold medal in 1968 and claimed the world heavyweight title twice, 21 years apart.

He lost his first title to Muhammad Ali in the famous 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” fight. However, in his career, Foreman secured 76 victories, including 68 knockouts—nearly twice as many as Muhammad Ali. He retired from boxing in 1997.

His family shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, saying, “Our hearts are broken. A devoted preacher, a loyal husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather, he lived a life full of unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.”

The statement further described him as “a philanthropist, Olympian, and two-time heavyweight champion, respected by many. He was a force for good, a symbol of discipline and determination, tirelessly working to uphold his legacy.”

Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson paid tribute to George Foreman, saying, “Boxing and his contributions to the sport will never be forgotten.”

The Ring Magazine, often called the “Bible of Boxing,” described him as “one of the greatest heavyweights of all time” and stated that “he will always be remembered as an icon of the sport.”

George Foreman’s Life and Career

George Foreman was born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas. He grew up in an isolated southern U.S. state, raised by his mother along with six siblings.

He dropped out of school and was involved in street robberies before finding his way into the boxing ring.

In 1968, Foreman won the heavyweight gold medal at the Mexico City Olympics.

Before turning professional, he won 37 consecutive matches by the age of 19. Throughout his career, he lost only five fights.

In 1973, he defeated the undefeated champion Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, knocking him down six times within two rounds.

In 1974, Foreman faced Muhammad Ali in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), one of the most famous boxing matches in history.

At that time, Muhammad Ali was older than Foreman and had lost his boxing title seven years earlier for refusing to join the Vietnam War.