March 21, 2025 — The world of sports and beyond is mourning the loss of one of its most enduring icons. George Edward Foreman Sr., a two-time world heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist, celebrated entrepreneur, and beloved preacher, passed away peacefully at the age of 76, surrounded by his family, according to an official post on a social media account dedicated to him.
The heartfelt statement reads:
“Our hearts are shattered. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. on March 21, 2025. He was a man of faith, a guiding light to many, a devoted husband, a proud father and grandfather, and a spiritual shepherd who touched lives far beyond the boxing ring.
He was more than a boxing legend — he was a symbol of strength, grace, and compassion. From Olympic gold to global business success, George’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of sports history and human inspiration. He fought not only in the ring, but for his family’s name, for dignity, and for a better world.”
George Foreman’s journey began in the rough Fifth Ward of Houston, Texas, where he grew up as one of seven siblings. Troubled and at odds with his path, he dropped out of high school but found hope and discipline through the Job Corps at age 16. It was there that he met Doc Broaddus — a counselor and boxing coach who would change his life.
In 1968, Foreman burst onto the international scene at the Mexico City Olympics, where he claimed the heavyweight gold medal after defeating Jonas Čepulis of the Soviet Union. His moment of victory became iconic when he waved a small American flag — just ten days after Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in protest during the medal ceremony. Foreman’s gesture, seen by some as controversial, was deeply personal.
“I waved it so the other athletes knew I was American,” Foreman told The Undefeated. “If I could do it again, I’d carry two flags.”
Turning pro shortly after the Olympics, Foreman stormed through his first 37 bouts with knockout power rarely seen before. Then came January 1973, when he faced off against the undefeated Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica. Despite being considered the underdog, Foreman dominated the match, knocking Frazier down six times in two rounds to seize both the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles.
He defended his title against Puerto Rican fighter Jose Roman in a mere 50 seconds and later crushed Ken Norton in two rounds, setting the stage for what would become one of the most storied battles in boxing history.
In Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), Foreman faced his legendary rival Muhammad Ali. It wasn’t just a fight; it was a global spectacle with political, racial, and cultural resonance. Both fighters were guaranteed $5 million — an astronomical sum at the time — and the world watched as Ali employed his ingenious “rope-a-dope” strategy to outlast Foreman. In the eighth round, Ali landed a series of blows that led to Foreman’s only knockout defeat.
“I thought it would be the easiest money I’d ever make,” Foreman later admitted. “But after one punch from Ali, everything changed. That loss hurt, but it gave me the best friend I’d ever have.”
In 1977, Foreman stepped away from boxing and embraced a new life of ministry, following what he described as a spiritual awakening. He became an ordained minister and began preaching in Houston, dedicating his life to faith and service.
Remarkably, he returned to boxing a decade later at age 39, eventually squaring off against a 28-year-old Evander Holyfield in the 1991 “Battle of the Ages.” Although he lost, Foreman refused to be counted out.
Then, in a fairy-tale comeback, Foreman shocked the sports world in 1994 by defeating Michael Moorer and reclaiming the heavyweight title — 20 years after his loss to Ali. At age 45, he became the oldest boxer ever to win the world heavyweight championship.
“That second title felt more real than the first,” he said in a 2023 interview with Boxing News. “I finally believed I belonged there.”
George Foreman wasn’t just a champion athlete — he was a business powerhouse. His “Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine,” launched in 1994, became a cultural phenomenon, with over 100 million units sold globally.
He also ventured into television, starring in a short-lived reality series with his wife Mary Joan and their 12 children — including five sons, all named George. A clothing line and various philanthropic efforts rounded out his post-boxing life, but his heart always returned to ministry.
In a 2024 interview with Sorted magazine, Foreman shared, “My mother, Nancy, never truly supported my boxing career — but she would have loved what I’ve become through the ministry.”
George Foreman leaves behind a towering legacy: 76 professional wins (68 by knockout), only five losses, and a life that exemplified resilience, reinvention, and relentless belief. He was a titan in the ring and a gentle giant in the pulpit — a man who rose from humble beginnings to become a legend in every sense.
Rest easy, Champ. Your story will echo for generations.
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Sources: CNN, The Undefeated, Boxing News, Getty Images, Sorted Magazine