Boxing Legend George Foreman Passes Away at 76

George Foreman, the former heavyweight boxing champion, has died at the age of 76. His family announced on Saturday that he passed away on Friday surrounded by loved ones. Foreman is widely remembered for his historic loss to Muhammad Ali in 1974 and his remarkable comeback as the oldest heavyweight champion in history two decades later.

Described by his family as a humanitarian, an Olympian, and a two-time heavyweight champion, Foreman was deeply respected for his discipline, conviction, and dedication to preserving his legacy. He relentlessly fought to maintain his good name, especially for the sake of his family.

Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman moved to Houston shortly after, where he was raised by a single mother alongside his six siblings. Growing up in the impoverished conditions of the segregated American South, Foreman dropped out of school and initially channeled his size and strength into street fights before discovering boxing.

At the age of 19, Foreman won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, marking the beginning of a stellar professional career. He launched into the professional circuit with 37 consecutive wins, eventually challenging reigning champion Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, where he claimed the title by technical knockout in the second round.

Foreman defended his title twice before facing Muhammad Ali in one of boxing's most iconic bouts in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The loss was a significant blow for Foreman, leading him to take a year off from boxing. Following a brief return to the ring, he retired in 1977 to become an ordained pastor.

Nearly ten years later, Foreman returned to boxing to raise funds for a youth center he founded in Texas. He achieved an impressive 24 consecutive victories before losing a decision to Evander Holyfield in 1991. Three years later, at the age of 45, he defeated the undefeated Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history. Foreman concluded his boxing career in 1997, leaving behind a professional record of 76 wins and five losses.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Foreman was married four times. In 1985, he married Mary Joan Martelly, with whom he remained for the rest of his life. He had five sons, all named George, alongside five biological daughters and two adopted daughters.

After his retirement in the 1990s, Foreman became a successful spokesperson for various products, notably a line of grills produced by Salton Inc. In 1999, the company paid Foreman and his partners $137.5 million to use his name on their grilling products. In his autobiography, he expressed his passion for the products he endorsed, drawing parallels to his approach to preaching.