Heavyweight Boxing Champion George Foreman Has Died
on Mar 21, 2025
George Foreman, two-time heavyweight boxing champion, has died at the age of 76.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the family of George Foreman announced his death, saying that he was surrounded by loved ones when he passed away Friday (March 21, 2025).
“Our hearts are broken. 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,” his family wrote.
They remembered him as “a devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather” and a “force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy.”
“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.”
George Foreman’s Boxing Career
George Foreman, affectionately known as “Big George,” was a World Boxing Hall of Fame and International Boxing Hall of Fame member due to his unmatched success in the ring.
Foreman became an amateur boxer in 1967 and won a gold medal at the Mexico City Olympic Games a year later. By the time he turned professional, he boasted an impressive 22-4 record.
1969 marked his first year as a professional, and he went undefeated with a 13-0 record. Eleven of those wins were by knockout. He boasted similar records for several years following, gaining a reputation as a knockout king.
But Foreman was likely best known for his matches against heavyweight champions Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier.
But Foreman was most prominently known for his big-ticket matches against fellow legendary boxers Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier. George beat a previously undefeated Frazier in 1973 to win the heavyweight title, a title he defended twice. In 1974’s iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” match against Ali, Foreman lost his first professional match. Three years later he retired, but returned to the ring at age 45 in 1994.
Foreman won several titles during his comeback, including the unified WBA, IBF, and lineal heavyweight championship.
Foreman became the oldest boxer to ever win the world heavyweight boxing championship and retired in 1997 at the age of 48. His career ended with 76 wins with 68 of those being by knockout. He only suffered 5 career losses.
Foreman became a successful entrepreneur after he retired from boxing. His George Foreman Grill has sold more than 100 million units since it hit the market in 2004.
George Foreman’s Family
George Foreman was married five times and was the father of twelve children. He was married to his fifth and last wife, Mary Joan Martelly, from 1985 until he died.
Foreman’s 12 children include five sons who all share his name: George Jr., George III (“Monk”), George IV (“Big Wheel”), George V (“Red”), and George VI (“Little Joey”).
“I named all my sons George Edward Foreman so they would always have something in common. I say to them, ‘If one of us goes up, then we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together!'” Foreman once explained.
Foreman’s seven daughters are Natalia, Leola, Freeda, Michi, Georgetta, Isabella, and Courtney.
