Views: 10
Boxing great George Foreman has been described by family as “a devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father” in a moving statement following his death in Texas
Two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman has died aged 76.
The boxing icon passed away on Friday “surrounded by loved ones, his family confirmed via an Instagram post on his social media website. Foreman was an Olympic gold medallist in 1968 before he turned professional. He knocked out Joe Frazier in 1973 to become world champion and became one of the most feared punchers on the planet at the time.
Foreman will be remembered as a boxing great(Image: Getty Images)
The American, who was born in Texas in 1949, would later fight Muhammad Ali in the “Rumble In The Jungle” in 1974. Foreman lost the fight but was cemented in heavyweight history.
Following his death, Foreman’s family described the sports star as “a devout preacher” and “a devoted husband”. The statement in full reads: “Our hearts are broken. With profound sorrow, we announced the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman St. 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. Humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, he was deeply respected – a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name – for his family. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.”
‘Big George’ retired in 1977 after failing to get another shot at the world title but he returned a decade later. In 1994, he beat Michael Moorer aged 45 to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history – a record that still stands today.
Foreman was inducted into boxing’s Hall if Fame in 2003. He retired in 1997 after a career of 76 wins and five defeats. A remarkable 68 of his 76 victories were inside the distance. ‘Big George’ was always linked to Ali thanks to their famous fight in Zaire in 1974 but he is a boxing icon in his own right. Foreman beat Frazier twice either side of his clash with Ali and had famous wins over Ken Norton and Ron Lyle.
