Boxing legend George Foreman dead at 76

A legendary heavyweight boxer and one of the sport’s biggest figures of the 20th century has died, signalling the end of an era.

Legendary heavyweight boxer George Foreman has died at the age of 76.

Foreman was one of several iconic boxers in the 20th century, and he became a two-time heavyweight champion at the height of his career.

“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,” Foreman’s family said in a statement posted on the boxer’s official Instagram page.

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“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,” the statement added.

“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.”

Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman has died aged 76. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP)

George Foreman’s comeback win over Michael Moorer made him a legend. Picture: JOHN GURZINSKI / AFP

Foreman took up amateur boxing and won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

His fight against Muhammad Ali, the iconic Rumble in the Jungle in 1974, was one of the most famous fights in boxing history.

Foreman lost to Ali via knockout, suffering the first defeat of his career.

Ten years after retiring in 1977, he announced a comeback and in 1994 at age 45, Foreman won the unified WBA, IBF, and lineal heavyweight championship titles by knocking out 26-year-old Michael Moorer.

That knockout win over Moorer, 20 years after losing the title to Ali, cemented Foreman’s status as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

He fought for the last time in 1997 and finished his boxing career with an exceptional record of 76 wins and just five losses.

Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Muhammad Ali.

Foreman was also an ordained Christian minister and a successful businessman best known for his line of portable cooking ware, the George Foreman Grill.

In 1994, he put his name to the “George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine”, appearing smiling and friendly in the TV ads, becoming a celebrity outside boxing.

Foreman, who hosted a 1996 TV programme ‘Bad Dads’, married four times, fathering 10 children and adopting two.

He named all his five sons George Edward, explaining that he wanted them to know, “If one of us goes up, then we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together!”

His death signals the end of an era with boxing legends Foreman, Ali and Joe Frazier all now passed away.

Ali, who battled Parkinson’s syndrome, died in 2016 aged 74 and Frazier died in 2011 aged 67.

Tributes flow for George Foreman

Tributes from around the world began pouring in for a true legend of boxing.

“Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten,” former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said.

Muhammad Ali looks on after knocking down George Foreman in the eighth round of their championship bout, The Rumble in the Jungle.

NBA champion Scottie Pippen said: “Rest in peace, George Foreman. Your legacy lives on, champ.”

Boxing’s prestigious Ring Magazine said: “The Ring is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of boxing legend George Foreman.

“Foreman is considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, and will be remembered as an icon of the sport forever.

“Our deepest sympathies are with George’s friends and family at this time.”

Veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael paid tribute to Foreman’s “amazing life and career” following the “sad news”.

“Sadly, Ali, Frazier and now Foreman are all gone,” Rafael wrote on X.

“They were the three greatest heavyweights of the greatest heavyweight era in history and each participated in iconic bouts against each other.”

- With AFP

Originally published as Boxing legend George Foreman dead at 76