Known as Big George in the ring, the American has competed for decades starting in the 1960s, winning gold at the Olympic Games and numerous titles, including the World Title in the heavyweight category.
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Born George Edward Foreman on January 10, 1949. In Marshall, Texas, his amateur boxer career reached a achievement at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where he won a gold medal and celebrated a small American flag after his victory.
In his autobiography, he said he waved the flag “as much for himself as a land.”
“I informed everyone who I am and at the same time saying that I am proud to be an American.”
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After turning into professional in 1969, he quickly raised the ranks. Until 1972, he had a winning streak of 37 fights – 35 of which were knockouts. His first hit at the World Height Championships in 1973, when he knocked out the then undefeated world champion Joe Frazier.
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Foreman won the title at the age of 24 and successfully defended him twice.
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Foreman then lost a heavyweight title from Muhammad Ali in their famous Rumble from 1974 in the fight against the jungle. To wear out Foreman, but he spent eight rounds, leaning on ropes, a tactic he called “rope-a-dope”.
He once called the loss “the most unusual moment” of his life.
“I just couldn’t believe I lost the world title,” he said, adding, “This has gone from pride in pity. It is devastating.
His opponent, Foreman said, was “the hardest human being I have ever encountered with.”
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A big change came in 1977: shortly after he lost an altercation with American boxer Jimmy Young, Foreman gave up boxing and turned to religion, becoming a ordained minister in 1978. He later founded the Center for Youth and Community George Foreman and the Church of Mr. Jesus Christ.
Said the BBC that his defeat to Ali became “the best thing that ever happened to me,” because it eventually led him to “ejecting my message” by preaching.
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After almost ten years since boxing, Foreman decided to pick up gloves in 1987 and return to the ring to raise funds for his youth center. During his successful return to sports, he won 24 matches before he lost to Evander Holyfield after 12 rounds in 1991.
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In 1994, he took the murder in a new venture, becoming the face of George Foreman Grill – known as the “Machine for Nibbling of Fat.” In a boxer ring, he became the oldest heavyweight champion at the age of 45 of the same year. He withdrew from boxing three years later, in 1997, collecting an amazing record of 76 wins and 5 losses.
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Foreman had 12 children – including five sons that were all called George. He is shown here with his son George III. He once explained that he called them by himself, so “he would always have something in common.” He continued his work in the Church until his death, preaching four times a week in his service, states on his website.
