The world of sports lost a true legend on March 21, 2025, as George Edward Foreman Sr., the former heavyweight boxing champion, passed away at the age of 76. Surrounded by his loved ones, Foreman breathed his last, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that extended far beyond the boxing ring.
Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, George Foreman grew up in Houston’s tough Fifth Ward, one of seven children raised by a single mother. Poverty and hardship marked his early years, and like many young men in similar situations, Foreman found himself on the wrong side of the law. Dropping out of junior high, he spent his teenage years involved in street fights and petty crime. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he joined the Job Corps, a program designed under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” initiatives to help disadvantaged youth find purpose and employment.
It was there that Foreman found boxing — or perhaps, boxing found him. The discipline and structure of the sport gave George a new direction. By the age of 19, he was already making waves on the amateur scene. His powerful frame and explosive punches earned him a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, where he clinched the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. In a moment that symbolized pride and redemption, Foreman waved a small American flag in the ring, signaling not just a personal victory but a triumph over the hardships of his upbringing.
Turning professional soon after, Foreman steamrolled through his early opponents, amassing 37 consecutive victories. His sheer power and intimidating presence made him a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. Then came the fight that would catapult him to superstardom — the 1973 bout against the reigning champion, Joe Frazier. In a stunning display of power, Foreman knocked Frazier down six times in two rounds, claiming the heavyweight title in emphatic fashion.
However, it was Foreman’s match against Muhammad Ali in 1974 — the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” — that would etch his name into boxing history. Held in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), the fight was a clash of styles and personalities. Ali, the charismatic and tactical boxer, employed his now-famous “rope-a-dope” strategy, allowing Foreman to tire himself out with powerful but ineffective punches. In the eighth round, Ali seized his moment, knocking out the seemingly invincible Foreman. It was a shocking defeat that left George devastated.
Following the loss, Foreman struggled to find his footing. After another defeat, he took a step back from the sport in 1977. In a surprising twist, the once-violent and fearsome boxer found solace in religion. He became an ordained minister and focused his energy on preaching and community work. During this period, he opened the George Foreman Youth and Community Center in Houston, aiming to guide young people away from the same troubled path he once walked.
But destiny wasn’t done with Big George.
In the late 1980s, Foreman staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports history. Overweight and pushing 40, he laced up his gloves again — initially, as he claimed, to raise funds for his youth center. Many scoffed at the idea of a middle-aged man returning to such a brutal sport. Yet, Foreman defied expectations, embarking on an incredible run that saw him win 24 consecutive fights. His easygoing, affable persona outside the ring during this period stood in stark contrast to the menacing figure he once was, earning him a new generation of fans.
Foreman’s second act culminated in 1994 when, at the age of 45, he faced Michael Moorer, a much younger and undefeated champion. Against all odds, Foreman delivered a thunderous right hand in the 10th round, knocking out Moorer and reclaiming the heavyweight title. With that victory, he became the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history — a record that still stands.
Foreman finally hung up his gloves in 1997 with an impressive professional record of 76 wins and just five losses. Yet, his post-boxing career proved just as successful and inspiring. Reinventing himself once again, Foreman became a beloved television personality and savvy businessman. He famously lent his name to the George Foreman Grill, a fat-reducing electric grill that became a staple in households worldwide. The product’s success was staggering, eventually earning him a reported $137.5 million deal — far more than he ever made in the ring.
Through it all, Foreman remained a family man. Married five times, he found lasting companionship with his fifth wife, Mary Joan Martelly, whom he wed in 1985. Together, they built a large family — five sons, all humorously named George, and a mix of biological and adopted daughters. To Foreman, his family was his greatest pride, often stating that his legacy wasn’t just in boxing or business, but in the children he raised and the lives he impacted.
Tributes poured in after the announcement of his passing. Houston Mayor John Whitmire summed it up best, stating, “George’s journey from the streets of Fifth Ward to boxing and business success was an inspiration. He never forgot where he came from. Houston will forever be proud to call George Foreman one of our own.”
George Foreman’s life was a testament to the power of reinvention. From a troubled youth to an Olympic hero, from a fearsome champion to a defeated fighter, from a minister to a middle-aged boxing marvel, and finally, a business mogul — Foreman showed the world that it’s never too late to change, to fight back, and to succeed.
His story was one of second chances, resilience, and redemption. George Foreman was more than just a two-time heavyweight champion; he was an American icon whose life continues to inspire millions. As the world bids farewell to “Big George,” his legacy will live on — not just in the record books, but in the countless lives he touched both inside and outside the ring.
