Boxing legend leaves behind an unforgettable legacy.
The boxing world mourns the loss of a legend: Former two-time heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medalist George Foreman has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced the sad news in the early hours of this morning via his official Instagram account. The message read: “Our hearts are broken. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on March 21, 2025. A devout preacher, devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather and great-grandfather. He lived a life characterized by unshakeable faith, modesty and determination.”
A knockout king with a unique career
Foreman (76-5, 68 knockouts) left his mark on boxing for almost four decades and celebrated great success between 1969 and 1997. After a difficult childhood, he won the gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Just one year later, his professional career began with an impressive third-round knockout victory over Don Waldhelm at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York.
His rapid rise quickly made him one of the most feared knockout artists in the sport. On January 22, 1973, he proved this impressively when he took on the unbeaten “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. Foreman sent Frazier to the canvas a total of six times before the fight was stopped in the second round. Foreman thus secured the WBA and WBC world heavyweight titles. The fight was later named “Fight of the Year” by Ring Magazine.
Spectacular comeback – and history made
As champion, Foreman defended his titles impressively with knockout victories against Jose Roman in Japan and Ken Norton in Venezuela. However, his reign came to an abrupt end at the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle”. Foreman lost to Muhammad Ali by technical knockout in the eighth round in 1974.
After a ten-year break, Foreman made a surprise return to the ring in 1987, defeating Steve Zouski by TKO in the fourth round. Despite two unsuccessful world championship attempts against Evander Holyfield (1991) and Tommy Morrison (1993), Foreman made history again in 1994. At the age of 46, he crowned himself the oldest heavyweight world champion of all time with a spectacular knockout victory over the unbeaten Michael Moorer and regained the IBF and WBA belts.
Fight against Schulz triggers controversy
His title defense against Axel Schulz ended in a controversial majority decision. However, he was subsequently stripped of his title by the WBA because he refused to fight Tony Tucker. After another fight without a title, Foreman was in the ring for the last time in 1997 when he lost a close majority decision to Shannon Briggs at the age of 48.
In 2003, Foreman was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s greatest icons. In addition to his boxing career, he also became known as a successful entrepreneur and charismatic TV personality. His legacy as one of the most impressive punchers in boxing history will live on forever.