Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman passed away at 76 on March 21, according to his family in a new post.
Foreman’s family announced his death on social media, not saying how or where he died. The fighter known for his gregarious personality and vicious right hook, was a two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic Gold Medalist. He later found success in his post-boxing career, pitching the now world-famous countertop grill that is named after him. George Foreman became the heavyweight champion of the world in his 20s, only to lose his belt to Muhammad Ali in perhaps the most memorable fight in boxing history.
A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear and awe as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt.
A full 20 years later in 1994, the 45-year-old Foreman became the oldest man to win the heavyweight championship, throwing one perfect combination to steal Michael Moorer’s title in an epic upset. Few fighters ever had more big moments than Big George Foreman — and even after he finally left the ring, he was only getting started.
