George Foreman: Born in Marshall, Texas (on Jan. 10, 1949), he and his six siblings were raised by a single mother. After moving to Houston, he grew up in the segregated American South and dropped out of junior high school. Soon he started getting involved in fights, and robberies and he used his large size to overpower people. But his journey from the streets of Fifth Ward to the pinnacle of boxing started when he was 16. The Job Corps, part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s ‘Great Society’ reforms helped him move out of Texas and encouraged him to channel his rage into boxing.

At 19, he fought his 25th amateur fight and captured the heavyweight boxing gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City! His career spanned generations: In the 1960s, he fought Chuck Wepner; The 80s witnessed his Dwight Muhammad Qawi, and the 90s saw him face Evander Holyfield. In fact, in the 1970s, Foreman, Muhammad Ali, and Joe Frazier were a part of the golden ear of the sport in America. George Foreman was the last living representative of this trio.

However, the boxing world was struck with heartbreaking news on Friday in a Houston hospital—George Foreman, the legendary heavyweight champion, passed away at 76. His family confirmed the news in a 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.”

Neither George Foreman’s family nor officials have revealed his official cause of death. However, moments after the news broke, speculation took over social media. Some fans pointed to an old video of Foreman receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, fueling debates online. However, in the years leading up to his death, whispers about Foreman’s health surfaced occasionally.

Back in 2023, unverified rumors suggested he was battling serious issues, but those were put to rest when he made a public appearance looking as strong as ever. The boxing legend himself once admitted to undergoing multiple knee surgeries, telling AARP in 2014 that he had “about four knee operations.”

“Other than my right knee, I can probably kick somebody like Bruce Lee with my left knee. If I jump up and fall on them, I probably will do more damage — to them,” he had shared.

However, as of now, no details have been released about any health complications.

George Foreman: A career par excellence

George Foreman wasn’t just a great fighter—he was a force of nature. His story is almost mythical, full of impossible feats that defied the odds.

For starters, winning an Olympic gold medal after only a year and a half of boxing experience is unreal. Most fighters spend their entire youth training for that moment, but ‘Big George’ walked in and left as a champion. Then, just a few years later, at the age of 24, he dismantled an undefeated Joe Frazier in two brutal rounds, knocking him down six times in their first match in 1973 to become the unified heavyweight champion.

Every time Frazier hit the canvas, legendary commentator Howard Cosell’s voice echoed: “Down goes Frazier!” ‘Smokin Joe’ was an all-time great, a relentless warrior who had even beaten Muhammad Ali just two years before, yet Foreman made it look effortless. But perhaps the most astonishing part of his career was his comeback in 1987.

If there’s one thing George Foreman proved to the world, it’s that greatness has no expiration date. Ten years after quitting boxing, he returned to the squared circle at the age of 38. After a string of victories, in 1994, he shocked the world by knocking out Michael Moorer in the tenth round to reclaim the heavyweight championship at the age of 45. No other fighter to date has been able to surpass Big George’s astounding feat. Imagine an aging Super Bowl team or an old Wimbledon champion returning to win decades later. It doesn’t happen. But for Foreman, it did.

George Foreman was terrifying inside the ring. Standing 6’3½” with an 82-inch reach and sledgehammer fists, he had one of the highest knockout percentages in boxing history. He wasn’t just strong—he was a machine. His uppercuts could lift opponents off their feet. His jab was a battering ram. His right hand? A wrecking ball. He didn’t just hit hard—he shattered wills.

Of course, one fight changed everything—The Rumble in the Jungle against Muhammad Ali. Many say Ali outboxed Foreman, but that’s only part of the story. Foreman cut off the ring brilliantly, forcing Ali to fight off the ropes. What won the fight wasn’t just Ali’s skill—it was his chin, endurance, and sheer willpower. He let Foreman punch himself out, then took advantage when the moment was right. That loss could have defined Foreman. Instead, it became just another chapter in his story.

And that’s the thing about George Foreman—he never followed the script. He wrote his own and it will be remembered for years to come.

Rest in peace, legend. Your legacy lives on.