American boxing legend George Foreman died at the age of 76, his family announced.
Foreman was an Olympic gold medal in 1968 before requested by his first heavyweight title with a stopping victory over Joe Frazier in 1973.
A year later, he lost his belt to Muhammad Ali in a rumble in the jungle. His second championship came more than two decades later at the age of 45, with an amazing knockout victory over Michael Moorer in 1994, which made him the oldest heavyweight champion ever.
A post on a double heavyweight Instagram page in the heavyweight category, he said he had died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday.
“Our hearts are broken,” the post said.
“With a deep sadness, we announce the passage of our beloved George Edward Foreman SR, who calmedly started on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones.
“A pious preacher, a dedicated husband, a love father and a proud great and a great -grandfather, lived life marked by unwavering faith, humility and purpose.
“The Humanitar, Olympian and the World Heart Champion in the heavyweight champion was deeply respected – the force for the good, the discipline, beliefs and protector of his legacy, struggling to preserve his good name for his family.
“We are grateful for the outburst of love and prayer and kindly seek privacy as we respect the extraordinary life of a man we are blessed to call our own.”
The honors began to follow after the news, and the former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said Foreman’s “contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
Former NBA Basketball Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, who won five titles with Los Angeles Lakers, said it was “a pleasure to meet (Foreman) not only as a boxer but also as a man.”
He wrote on the X: “I was really sad when I heard the news that one of my boxing heroes, George Foreman, passed away.
“I attended so many George’s fights for the championship during his career. He was a knockout artist in the ring, and it was a pleasure to meet him not only as a boxer but also as a man.
“After leaving the ring, it turned into an incredible businessman – I even bought one of the first George Foreman Grills! (Johnson’s wife) a cookie and I will pray for his family during that time.”
Foreman withdrew from sports in 1997 with a record 76 wins and only five losses. The sixty -eight of his victories came with a knockout.
Foreman found huge success in the business world after retirement, and his popular George Foreman Grill sold millions.
He was married five times and survived 12 children.
