On March 21, boxing icon and grill spokesman George Foreman died of heart failure. He was 76.
There are not many success stories that can rival George Foreman’s. A sports legend, Foreman was born in Marshall, Texas, in 1949. He and his six siblings were raised by his mother, Nancy Foreman and his stepfather, J.D. Foreman. Foreman’s childhood was marked by poverty, violence and a difficult upbringing in Houston’s Fifth Ward, called the “Bloody Fifth” at the time.
Foreman admitted to having a troubled childhood and engaging in activities like mugging and shoplifting, but he was able to turn his life around when he began to pursue boxing. Before starting his boxing career, Foreman spent time in the Job Corps, a free residential career training and education program for low-income young adults. At 16, he met Nick Broadus, the instructor who taught him how to box. Foreman fought his first amateur fight in 1967, winning with a knockout in the first round. He had a body built for boxing; in his prime, Foreman stood at 6 feet 3 1/2 inches tall with a reach of 78.5 inches and weighed around 220-225 pounds.
He was a titan in the ring, and took the boxing world by storm; three years after he started, a 19-year-old Foreman won an Olympic gold medal in boxing. In his bouts, he displayed a powerful, heavy and clubbing style of punching, with his left hook and right cross known to be particularly devastating. His performance in the Olympics earned him the epithet “Big George.”
Foreman’s career was illustrious, and he was involved in some of the most legendary fights in boxing history. In 1973, he stunned a then-undefeated Joe Frazier with a second-round knockout to win the world heavyweight title as Howard Cosell cried, “Down Goes Frazier!” Foreman put the champ to the canvas six times in less than six minutes. In 1974, he fought Muhammed Ali in the “Rumble in the Jungle.” Finally, and possibly most impressive of all, in 1994, Foreman shocked the world when he knocked out heavyweight champion Michael Moorer in the 10th round to become the oldest heavyweight title holder at the age of 45. His record still stands today.
Foreman held the title for a little less than two years before retiring at the age of 47. In all, Foreman’s career record stands at 76-5. He knocked out his opponent in 68 of his 76 victories for an incredible 89.5% K.O. rate.
Outside of the ring, Foreman became a household name as the namesake of the George Foreman Grill. He once said he made “much more” than $200 million from the grills, surpassing his boxing career earnings. For reference, his biggest boxing payout is estimated to be roughly $5 million for the “Rumble in the Jungle.” In 1999, he sold his stake in the brand for $137.5 million.
Foreman was also a born-again Christian. In 1977, after a loss to Jimmy Young and a near-death experience in the locker room, Foreman experienced what he described as an encounter with God. He left boxing behind and became an ordained Christian minister. Foreman once said, “Sports are sports. It’s all about how we carry ourselves out of the ring.” He lived by those words and devoted his life to faith, preaching in Houston and working with troubled youths.
George Foreman’s journey from poverty to riches and obscurity to fame is what makes his life such an interesting topic for discussion. His legacy as both a two-time heavyweight champion and iconic pitchman solidified his place as a recognizable figure in both sports and business. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Joan Martelly and his 12 children.
He will be remembered.
