Australian boxing fans are mourning the loss of George Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion and one of the sport’s biggest names. Foreman passed away on Friday at the age of 76, with his family confirming the sad news on social media.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Foreman’s journey to stardom began when he won an Olympic gold medal in 1968. He later became a two-time world heavyweight champion and earned a place in the Boxing Hall of Fame. One of his most famous fights was the 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" against Muhammad Ali in Zaire. Foreman lost that fight in a surprise eighth-round knockout, but the event remains one of the most iconic moments in boxing history. The fight was later featured in the Oscar-winning documentary When We Were Kings.
Retirement and Unbelievable Comeback
After losing his title to Ali at 25, Foreman continued to make an impact in the ring. He secured major victories, including a fifth-round TKO over Joe Frazier and a knockout win against Ron Lyle. However, at just 28 years old, he made the shocking decision to retire and focused on his role as an ordained minister in Texas.
Ten years later, in 1987, Foreman made an incredible comeback to boxing at the age of 38. He started by fighting easier opponents, but in 1991, he proved he was serious when he challenged Evander Holyfield in a heavyweight title fight. Though he lost, he didn’t give up. In 1994, at the age of 45, Foreman stunned the world by knocking out Michael Moorer to win the heavyweight title again. This made him the oldest heavyweight champion in history, a record that stood for 20 years.
Success Beyond the Ring
Foreman wasn’t just a boxing legend—he was also a successful businessman. In 1994, he launched the George Foreman Grill, which became a global hit, selling over 100 million units. Five years later, he secured a $138 million deal to sell the rights to the grill, proving his talent extended beyond the ring.
Final Years and Legacy
His final professional fight was in 1997, ending in a close decision loss to Shannon Briggs. He later worked as a boxing commentator for HBO for 12 years until 2004. The Ring ranked him among the greatest punchers of all time and named him one of the best boxers of the past 80 years.
Tributes from the Boxing World
The boxing world has been paying tribute to Foreman. Top Rank described him as "one of the biggest punchers and personalities the sport has ever seen." Longtime commentator Jim Lampley called him "a great fighter and an even greater human being."
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