Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, renowned for his stunning comeback at age 45, has died at 76.
His family announced his passing in an Instagram post, stating, “With profound sorrow, we share the loss of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr., who peacefully left us on March 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.”
Foreman’s impact on boxing is legendary. Known for his devastating punching power, he first won the heavyweight title in 1973 by overpowering Joe Frazier in just two rounds. However, he lost the belt the following year in the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” against Muhammad Ali, who used his rope-a-dope strategy to wear Foreman down before securing an eighth-round knockout.
Two decades later, a transformed Foreman—older, heavier, yet still formidable—pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. In 1994, at age 45, he knocked out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion ever, securing his legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
Foreman’s journey extended beyond the ring. Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, he grew up in Houston’s tough Fifth Ward, raised by a single mother alongside six siblings. Struggling in his youth, he dropped out of school and got involved in street crime before turning his life around through the Job Corps, part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” programs.
“George’s journey from the streets of Fifth Ward to boxing and business success was an inspiration,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire. “He never forgot where he came from … Houston will forever be proud to call George Foreman one of our own.”
Encouraged to take up boxing through the Job Corps, Foreman quickly excelled. At 19, he won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, then turned professional and won his first 37 fights, culminating in his title victory over Frazier in 1973.
His crushing defeat to Ali in 1974 left a lasting impact. After a brief return to boxing, he retired in 1977 to become an ordained minister, dedicating years to his faith and community, including founding a youth center in Texas.
In 1987, Foreman surprised the world by announcing a comeback at age 38, weighing 315 pounds (143 kg). Despite losing a title fight to Evander Holyfield in 1991, he persevered and, in 1994, reclaimed the heavyweight championship by defeating Moorer. He finally retired in 1997 with an impressive record of 76 wins and only five losses.
Foreman was married five times, but his longest and final marriage was to Mary Joan Martelly, whom he wed in 1985. Together, they raised a large family, including five sons—all named George—and seven daughters, two of whom were adopted.
