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George Foreman, a towering American sporting and business icon who rose from a troubled youth to become heavyweight champion of the world and a beloved pitchman, died Friday at 76, his family announced in an Instagram post.
Foreman’s family did not reveal a cause of death, writing that Foreman “peacefully departed surrounded by loved ones.” “Our hearts are broken,” the family wrote. “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. A 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.”
Foreman lived as if setting out to prove there are second acts in American life — and even third, fourth, fifth and sixth acts. He was a self-described “rebellious teen” as a child growing up in Houston’s Fifth Ward. He gravitated toward boxing and rose to become one of the fight game’s most menacing figures at what was arguably the sport’s peak. He sold millions of the George Foreman Grill, an appliance that became ubiquitous in family kitchens and college dorm rooms. He evolved publicly from a scowling fighter to a charming, grinning preacher.
“Condolences to George Foreman’s family,” Mike Tyson posted on X. “His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
“Big George,” as he was known — he stood 6-foot-3 and typically weighed in at over 250 pounds — first came into public view at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, where he won a gold medal. He turned professional a year later and began a steady rise. He became heavyweight champion when he knocked out Joe Frazier in 1973, his finishing blow accompanied by Howard Cosell’s famous call: “Down goes Frazier!”
Foreman lost one of the most famed fights in boxing history, “The Rumble in Jungle” in Zaire in 1974, when Muhammad Ali beat him using a strategy he termed the “rope-a-dope.” He lost for only the second time in 1977, to Jimmy Young in Puerto Rico. “In his locker room after the match, George had a deeply religious experience that changed his life forever,” his personal website described. Foreman retired at 28 and became an ordained minister.
Foreman started a youth center down the street from the church where he preached. In need of money to keep the center open, Foreman came out of retirement in 1987. For all his victories and power as a young fighter, Foreman’s most lasting performance may have come in 1990. At age 42, weighing more than 250 pounds, his sculpted muscles rounded off by middle age, Foreman lasted 12 rounds with heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, losing by decision.
In all, he had an astonishing 81 professional bouts, winning 76 — 68 of those coming via knockout. His final fight was a loss to Shannon Briggs in 1997.
Foreman’s business acumen ensured he wouldn’t have to worry about money. He lent his name and image to Salton Inc. to sell a portable, electric grill with steel plates pitched to allow grease to run off. Salton sold more than 100 million grills and, in 1999, paid Foreman $137.5 million to continue using his likeness.
Foreman had five sons and named them George Jr., George III, George IV, George V and George VI. “I named all my sons George Edward Foreman so they would always have something in common,” Foreman wrote on his personal website.
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