(Thechieftainspear) – George Foreman, the iconic two-time heavyweight boxing champion, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur, passed away on Friday, March 21, at the age of 76. His family confirmed the news, stating he was surrounded by loved ones in his final moments.
In a heartfelt statement, his family described Foreman as “a humanitarian, a champion, and a man of conviction” who dedicated his life to both the sport of boxing and his legacy beyond the ring.
Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman later relocated to California, where he honed his boxing skills. His breakthrough moment came in 1968 when he won a gold medal at the Mexico City Olympic Games by defeating Jonas Čepulis of the Soviet Union.
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Foreman’s professional career launched in 1969, quickly establishing him as a dominant force in the heavyweight division. His most memorable bouts included his victory over Joe Frazier in the “Sunshine Showdown” and the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” against Muhammad Ali in 1974. While Ali won the match, the fight cemented Foreman’s place in boxing history. Throughout his career, he fought 81 professional matches, securing 76 wins—68 of them by knockout.
After initially retiring from boxing, Foreman made a stunning comeback in 1994, reclaiming the heavyweight title at the age of 45, making him the oldest champion in the sport’s history at the time.
Beyond boxing, Foreman became a household name with the launch of the George Foreman Grill in 1994. The product, marketed as a way to prepare healthier meals, became a massive success, selling over 100 million units worldwide.
In addition to his achievements in sports and business, Foreman was a devoted minister, dedicating much of his later years to his faith. He became a preacher in 1980, a role he embraced with deep commitment.
In 2023, Foreman’s life was celebrated in the biographical film Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World, starring Khris Davis.
Sports media and fans across the world have honored his legacy, with ESPN calling him “one of the most influential and recognizable boxers of all time.”
Foreman’s final Instagram post, shared on November 5, 2024, reflected his unwavering belief in perseverance. Sharing a throwback fight photo, he captioned it: “I started my day believing, ‘All things are possible if we only believe.’”
He is survived by his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, his 12 children, and numerous grandchildren .
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