George Foreman, the two-time heavyweight boxing champion known for his devastating punching power and remarkable comeback to the sport, has died at the age of 76, his family confirmed late Tuesday. He passed away at a hospital in Houston, Texas.
Foreman’s professional career spanned more than three decades, producing unforgettable bouts against some of boxing’s greatest, including Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
A troubled youth turned Olympic gold medalist, Foreman burst onto the scene in 1968 when he won the heavyweight title at the Mexico City Games, knocking out Soviet fighter Jonas Čepulis in the second round. Just five years later, he stunned the boxing world by flooring champion Joe Frazier six times en route to a second-round knockout to claim the heavyweight crown in Kingston, Jamaica.
The emphatic victory, immortalized by broadcaster Howard Cosell’s famous call — “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” — made Foreman a superstar.
‘Rumble in the Jungle’
Foreman’s reign was cut short in 1974 in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) during the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” bout against Muhammad Ali. Employing his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy, Ali wore down Foreman before knocking him out in the eighth round, handing Foreman his first professional loss and ending his brief dominance.
Foreman continued fighting, defeating Frazier again in 1976, but retired unexpectedly in 1977 after a loss to Jimmy Young, citing a religious awakening. A decade later, driven by his love of the sport and a desire to reclaim the title, he staged one of boxing’s most famous comebacks.
Returning in 1987, Foreman battled skepticism about his age and conditioning but proved doubters wrong. He challenged Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight title in 1991 at age 42, losing on points but earning widespread respect for his performance.
In 1994, at 45, Foreman shocked the world by knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round to regain the heavyweight championship, becoming the oldest man ever to win the title — a record that still stands.
Foreman fought for the last time in 1997, losing a close decision to Shannon Briggs before retiring at 48. He left the sport with a record of 76 wins and 5 losses and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
Beyond the ring, Foreman became a cultural icon through his business ventures, most notably the George Foreman Grill, which sold more than 100 million units worldwide.
Tributes poured in following his death. Fellow boxing great Mike Tyson wrote on X: “His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
