by Kunle Balogun-
Boxing icon George Foreman, the two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, has died at the age of 76, his family announced.
Affectionately known as “Big George,” Foreman built a legendary career spanning decades, claiming the heavyweight title twice—an incredible 21 years apart. His second reign, at age 45, made him the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
“George was more than just a fighter—he was a force of nature,” said longtime friend and former trainer Bob Carmichael. “He had power like no one else, but what people will remember most is his kindness and larger-than-life personality.”
Foreman famously lost his first world title to Muhammad Ali in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974, but he rebounded to forge a remarkable career, amassing 76 wins, including 68 knockouts.
“He was one of the hardest punchers I ever faced,” former opponent Evander Holyfield recalled. “But outside the ring, he was a gentle giant with a heart just as big as his punch.”
After retiring from boxing in 1997, Foreman found immense success in business, lending his name to the George Foreman Grill—an endorsement that earned him far more than his boxing career.
“Boxing gave him fame, but that grill made him a household name,” said sports analyst Max Kellerman. “He turned it into an empire, just like he did with his comeback story in the ring.”
Foreman leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond boxing—a testament to resilience, reinvention, and an unstoppable will to succeed.
