HONORING GEORGE FOREMAN A LEGEND
George Edward Foreman
George Edward Foreman, 76, was born in 1949 in Marshall Texas and raised in the 5th Ward section of Houston. He was known as “Big George” to friends and fans. He admitted his childhood as being rough. He took up boxing at 19 and made the 1968 Olympic team, where he won the gold medal. He would later state this was his proudest moment in boxing. Foreman turned pro in 1969 and rose in the ranks; he fought 13 times that year.
He dominated in his early career and won many of his fights via knockout. Some of his notable victories were against: Joe Frazier, Jose Roman, and Ken Norton. He defeated Joe Frazier to win his first title. George Forman’s biggest fight of the early 1970s was against Muhammed Ali, “The Rumble in the Jungle.” This fight took place in Kinshasa, Zaire; however, this was his first loss.
Foreman’s first defeat prompted him to attempt to redeem himself. He took on 5 boxers in an exhibition fight, where he defeated them. The public doubted his abilities and denounced the exhibition because the fighters were inexperienced. Ali’s presence at the fight also irritated him. Foreman had three fights after this exhibition—Ron Lyle, Joe Frazier, and Jimmy Young. He won against Ron Lyle and Joe Frazier but lost to Jimmy Young. Foreman suffered a life-threatening heat stroke after his fight with Jimmy Young. He had a near-death experience which prompted him to become a born-again Christian. Also, he left boxing and became a minister.
George Foreman made a return to boxing in 1987, after a 10-year hiatus. He was heavier, but more patient. He fought his way to contention. George Foreman had a fierce and dominant attitude during his early boxing career; however, during the height of his comeback, he was mellow and friendly. He eventually became the oldest man to win a heavy weight title; at 45, Foreman defeated Michael Moorer to become heavyweight champion for a second time. After his title win he wanted to fight Mike Tyson; this never happened. Forman vacated his title because of contractual reasons. His final fight was with Shannon Briggs, which he lost. George Forman’s had 81 fights and only lost 5; most were by knockout.
Post retirement, George Foreman’s famously endorsed the Foreman Grill. Foreman attributed a healthy diet as the reason why he could return to the ring. Salton, Inc. approached to be the spokesperson for its fat-reducing grill, when he returned. The grill sold over 100 million worldwide; he sold his rights in 1999 for $100 million dollars. Foreman also made an impact with being a boxing commentor. Foreman was known as a patriotic and community-oriented individual. George Foreman died on March 21, 2025, at a Houston hospital. No cause of death was given.