American George Foreman, one of the great second acts in sports who reclaimed the heavyweight boxing title after coming out of retirement and later became a celebrated product pitchman, died on Friday at age 76, his family said.
George Foreman is a former professional boxer, Olympic gold medallist, and successful entrepreneur. Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman rose from a troubled youth to become one of the most dominant heavyweight champions in boxing history. His career, spanning from the late 1960s to the late 1990s, is marked by incredible comebacks and reinventions, making him one of the most respected figures in sports and business.
Foreman’s rise to fame began when he won a gold medal in heavyweight boxing at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. His power and aggressive fighting style caught the world’s attention, leading to his professional debut in 1969. By 1973, he had become the undisputed heavyweight champion after a stunning second-round knockout of Joe Frazier, who had previously defeated Muhammad Ali. Foreman’s raw power made him one of the most feared boxers of his time.
However, his reign as champion ended in 1974 in the legendary Rumble in the Jungle against Muhammad Ali in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Ali used his famous "rope-a-dope" strategy, allowing Foreman to tire himself out before knocking him out in the eighth round. The loss deeply affected Foreman, and after a few more fights, he retired in 1977 following a spiritual awakening.
After a decade away from the ring, Foreman shocked the world by announcing a comeback in 1987. At 38, he was considered too old for serious competition, but he defied expectations with a string of victories. In 1994, at the age of 45, he defeated Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight title, becoming the oldest champion in boxing history. His achievement was widely celebrated as one of the greatest comebacks in sports. Foreman finally retired for good in 1997, finishing with a record of 76 wins (68 by knockout) and only five losses.
Beyond boxing, Foreman became a hugely successful entrepreneur. In the 1990s, he endorsed the George Foreman Grill, a fat-reducing electric grill that became a massive hit worldwide. The product reportedly sold over 100 million units, and Foreman made an estimated $200 million from his association with it—far more than he earned from boxing.
Foreman is admired not just for his boxing prowess but also for his personal transformation. Once known for his intimidating presence, he later became a friendly, charismatic figure, often seen smiling and sharing motivational messages. He was also a minister, philanthropist, and advocate for youth programs.
His life story is one of resilience, redemption, and reinvention, making him an enduring icon in sports and business. Whether in the ring or in the business world, George Foreman remains a symbol of perseverance and success.
Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model
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