Two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist George Foreman has died at the age of 76, his family confirmed on March 21. Known as much for his punishing punch as for his late-career transformation into a genial–and higly successful– pitchman and preacher, Foreman’s life was a testament to reinvention, resilience, and the complexities of Black identity in America.
10 things to know:
1. Olympic Gold In 1968
At just 19, Foreman won gold at the Mexico City Olympics. After his victory, he waved a small American flag—a gesture that stirred controversy amid a climate charged by Black Power protests and racial unrest, ESPN reported.
2. The ‘Rumble In The Jungle’
Foreman’s 1974 fight against Muhammad Ali in Zaire became one of the most famous bouts in boxing history. Foreman, the undefeated champion, was knocked out in the eighth round.
3. A Devastating Puncher
Known for his raw power, Foreman demolished Joe Frazier in two rounds in 1973 and is ranked among The Ring’s top 10 greatest punchers of all time.
4. Unexpected Retirement
In 1977, at age 28, Foreman abruptly retired after a loss to Jimmy Young, citing a near-death spiritual experience. He became an ordained minister and opened a youth center in Houston.
5. Comeback at 38
In 1987, he returned to the ring and launched one of sports’ greatest comebacks. Though initially mocked for his weight and age, Foreman defied expectations.
6. Oldest Heavyweight Champion
In 1994, at age 45, Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight title, becoming the oldest boxer ever to win the crown.
7. TV and Commentary Career
Foreman served as an HBO boxing analyst for over a decade.
8. The George Foreman Grill
Foreman’s greatest financial success came from his eponymous grill, which sold over 100 million units. He reportedly earned $138 million from the product’s rights.
9. A Symbol of Complexity
Foreman faced criticism for his Olympic flag-waving in 1968, seen as a contrast to Black athletes protesting injustice. But as The Guardian noted, “In a nation that often demands that Black people perform either rage or gratitude, Foreman dared to be something else: complex.”
10. A Lasting Legacy
From feared fighter to friendly face, Foreman’s journey embodied more than boxing glory—it revealed the power of reinvention and the many ways to express Black identity in America.
