The former American exbox George Foreman, Two times world champion in the heavyweight category – in 1973 and 1994 – and gold medal In the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, he died at age 76, as his family has reported on Friday on the social networks of the fighter.
«We have the heart shattered. With deep pain, we announced the death of our beloved George Edward Foreman, who departed peacefully on March 21, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones, ”his family announced.
Foreman, born on January 10, 1949 in Marshall, in the state of Texas, is recognized as one of the best boxers in history. In fact, the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) classified it among the top ten in the heavyweight category.
With a professional record of 76 victories (68 per KO) and only five losses, Foreman stood out for his strength and aggressiveness in the quadrilateral. He began his professional career in 1969, after winning the gold medal at the 1968 Mexico of Mexico, where he consolidated himself as one of the most promising figures of world boxing.
His first fight as a professional was against Donald Walheim, whom he won by ‘Ko’ (knockout) in three assaults in the iconic stadium Madison Square Garden New York. During the next two and a half years, his record was unbeatable, accumulating 32 consecutive victories.
In 1973, Foreman reached the top of world boxing by defeating Joe Frazier In a fight in Kingston (Jamaica), achieving the title of World Heavyweight Champion. In the following years, he defended his title against figures such as José ‘King’ Roman in Tokyo and Ken Norton in Caracas, Venezuela.
‘The Rumble in the Jungle’
However, in October 1974, in a historic confrontation known as ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ (Something like ‘The roar in the jungle’) that faced him against Muhammad Ali, held in Zaire -the current democratic republic of the Congo -, Foreman lost the title.
This fight is one of the best in the history of boxing and one of the greatest sporting events of the twentieth century, whose entertainment reflected more than two decades later ‘When We Were Kings’ (‘When we were kings’), winner of the Oscar for the best documentary in 1997, a prize that the two expugers collected.
After his defeat, Foreman retired from boxing in 1977 and dedicated himself to preaching in Texas, carrying out a spiritual transformation. This transformation in turn is reflected in the recent documentary ‘Big George Foreman’ (‘The Great George Foreman’) released in 2023.
In 1987, a rejuvenated Foreman returned to the ring. In 1991, after several fighting, he fought again for the title of heavyweights against Evander Holyfield, with whom he lost by points. However, in 1995, with 45 years, the boxer defeated a 26 -year -old Michael Moorer and became the world heavyweight champion.
Thus, Foreman became the more veteran champion of the history of boxing. The American fought four more times after his historical victory, finally retiring in 1997 after a loss by points against Shannon Briggs.
The fighter, beyond his sports career, has been a successful businessman and preacher. His family has recalled: “He lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility and determination.” “Humanitarian, Olympic and twice world champion of heavyweights, was deeply respected: a force of good, a disciplined and convinced man, and a protector of his legacy, who fought tirelessly for preserving his good name for his family,” they have expressed.
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