Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman died Friday, his family announced through his Instagram account. He was 76 years old. No cause of death was provided. He was described as having peacefully died surrounded by loved ones. The family’s full statement:
Our hearts are broken. 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 devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.
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, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name — for his family.
We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.
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Foreman leaves behind a legacy more layered than even your average boxing Hall of Famer. He looked poised to take over the sport by defeating — no, mauling — Joe Frazier in 1973, then lost the heavyweight belt to Muhammad Ali in the legendary Rumble in the Jungle, one of the most famous fights in history and the upset that sealed Ali as a legend. After failing to win his belt back, he retired, became an ordained minister, returned to boxing a decade later, won his belt back to become the oldest world heavyweight champion in history, then retired for the final time and became an HBO broadcaster and, as many non-sports fans know him, a grill magnate. The boxing world, including legendary heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, and the sports world paid condolences on social media:
Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/Xs5QjMukqr
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 22, 2025
George Foreman helped define an era in boxing
Foreman first entered the public consciousness before his 20th birthday when he dominated his way to the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics, laying waste to Jonas Čepulis of the Soviet Union in the final. He turned pro the next year and won 37 straight fights over the span of three years before getting his first title shot. Waiting for him was Frazier, at the legend’s absolute peak. “Smokin’ Joe” had just defeated Ali in the “Fight of the Century” and seemed destined for a rematch, until he ran into Foreman. You’ve probably heard the great Howard Cosell call, “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” Frazier did that a lot in only two rounds, as the bigger and stronger Foreman pasted him until the referee called a second-round TKO. Foreman inserted himself in boxing’s biggest rivalry and looked unbeatable. He proceeded to defeat Ken Norton, the only other boxer to beat Ali in his prime, before getting Ali. Foreman was undefeated and heavily favored against Ali, who was seven years older at 32 and seemed to have his best days behind him. Foreman again had the strength advantage, but Ali — in maybe his greatest display of boxing skill — found a way to make that not matter. Famously debuting his “rope-a-dope” tactic, Ali let Foreman tire himself out by hanging on the ropes and prioritizing defense, until the champ was vulnerable. After seven rounds, Ali pounced and won his old belt back with an eighth-round TKO. Foreman tried to arrange a rematch, but couldn’t before Ali retired. Foreman opted to do the same after a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977.
George Foreman’s comeback was legendary
After what he described as a near-death experience in his dressing room, Foreman was born again and decided to forego boxing to become an ordained minister. He delivered sermons at The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston and seemed happy with his new life, until he announced a shock comeback in 1987. Foreman was 38 years old and a generation behind the era’s current champs. Still, he once again started winning and eventually got title shots against Evander Holyfield and Tommy Morrison, both of which he lost. He had more success against Michael Moorer, winning the WBA and IBF titles Moorer had won from Holyfield.
At 45 years old, Foreman was the oldest heavyweight to win the title in history, and eventually retired again at 48 years old, the second-oldest boxer in any weight class to hold a title behind Bernard Hopkins. Retirement saw Foreman become a ringside regular with HBO, but his name found even greater fortune via the electric grill. He didn’t invent the fat-trimming grill that would famously bear his name, but his pitchman skills helped turn the George Foreman Grill into a phenomenon, selling a nine-figure amount of units. Foreman was married four times and had 12 children, with his sons all bearing his name, from George Jr. to George VI.
