Heavyweight boxing legend, George Foreman is dead.
Nigeria News Nalin According to reports, legendary heavyweight boxer George Foreman died at the age of 76.
Nicknamed “Big George”, the foreman is one of the most outstanding professions in boxing history. He won the Olympic gold medal in 1968 and later won two world heavyweight titles, an extraordinary achievement in two decades.
His second title won at the age of 45, making him the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
The foreman’s first reign at the champion ended in 1974 when he lost to Muhammad Ali in the iconic “Rumor in the Jungle”.
However, his career record is still surprising, with 76 wins, including 68 knockouts, almost twice as many as Ali.
In addition to boxing, the foreman became a household name through his commercial enterprises, especially the George Workers Grill. His decision to lend his name to the product proved profitable, exceeding his boxing revenue.
Faith and family life
His family shared the news of his death via Instagram, saying:Our hearts are broken. He was a devout missionary, a devout husband, a loving father and a proud grandfather who lived a life marked by firm faith, humility and purpose. ”
They continued: “He is a humanitarian, Olympian and two-time heavyweight champion, and he is deeply respected – the power of kindness, a man of discipline, faith, and a protector of his legacy, struggling tirelessly to maintain his good name to maintain his family. ”
From troubled youth to glory of the Olympics
Born on January 10, 1949 in Marshall, Texas, the foreman grew up in a segregated United States and was raised by a single mother with six siblings. His early years were bothered – he dropped out of school and got involved in street crime before discovering boxing as an exit.
He won the gold medal at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City and then transitioned to professional boxing to win the gold medal.
He remained unbeaten in the first 37 games and defeated Joe Frazier of Kingston, Jamaica in 1973, defeating him six times in just two rounds.
His 1974 match against Ali in Kinshasa (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) remains one of the most legendary battles in boxing history.
At the time, the foreman was considered an overwhelming favorite, but Ali’s “rope” strategy exhausted him, leading to the eighth round of knockout.
After decades of reflection, Foreman recalled in an interview with BBC World Service Newshour that it was widely believed that he would demolish Ali. “Oh, he won’t last for a round,He said recalling expert predictions before the fight.
Surprisingly, he felt relaxed that night, saying it was “the most comfortable” he had before the fight. However, Ali’s tactics frustrated him, leading to one of the most famous failures in boxing history.
A new chapter in life
After losing the second battle, the foreman retired in 1977 and turned to faith. He became a minister who was appointed and established the church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas.
Later, he described his failure to Ali as “the best thing that happened to me”, which led him to spread his message through preaching.
His ministry began to be modest, preached on the street corners, and then grew into a congregation that needed a larger space.
“We started meeting informally in various houses in Houston, and soon after, the crowds became too large for most houses to accommodate,” he shared on the website.
The oldest heavyweight champion
Ten years after retirement, the foreman accidentally returned to boxing in 1987 to raise funds for the Youth Center. He won 24 games before facing Evander Holyfield in 1991 and lost after 12 rounds.
Then, in 1994, at the age of 45, he eliminated Michael Moorer to regain the heavyweight title, cementing himself as the sport’s oldest champion.
Business success and family life
Beyond the ring, foreman has become a marketing powerhouse. His George Foreman Grill was launched in 1994 and had a huge success, selling millions of units around the world, making him richer than his career in boxing.
The foreman got married five times and had 12 children, including five sons – George. He once explained:I said to them, “If we go up alone, we all go up together. If one falls, we all go down together!”
