Legendary boxer and businessman George Foreman died on Friday at the age of 76, his family announced.
Just before 10 p.m. ET, Foreman’s verified Instagram account announced the two-time heavyweight champion had died.
“Our hearts are broken,” his family said in a statement. “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. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.”
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Foreman began his professional boxing career in 1969 and had a record of 37-0 by 1972 – with 35 of those wins by way of knockout.
The native Texan fought Muhammad Ali in perhaps the most high-profile boxing match ever – 1974’s “The Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire. Foreman lost the bout, which his personal website celebrated:
Ali used a tactic later known as “
rope-a-dope” to wear out Foreman who threw hundreds of punches during the fight. Then in the eighth round, Ali unloaded with a series of punches that knocked out Foreman and allowed Ali to regain the heavyweight championship of the world.
Foreman became the oldest fighter ever to win the heavyweight title in 1994, defeating 26-year-old Michael Moorer in 10 rounds at the age of 45.
He finished his career with a 76-5 record.
In his later career, new generations of Americans knew Foreman from his TV ads for the George Foreman Grill and for Meineke car centers.
Foreman became a pastor in Texas in the late 1970s.