Heavyweight Boxing Champ George Foreman Dead at 76

Former boxing champion George Foreman died Friday at the age of 76, his family announced in a statement on social media.

“With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr., who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones,” the family said. “Our hearts are broken.”

The family did not immediately reveal the cause of death.

The statement described Foreman as a “devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather.”

Boxing promotion company Top Rank called Foreman “one of the biggest punchers and personalities the sport has ever seen.”

“George was a great friend to not only myself but to my entire family,” Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said in a statement posted on the organization’s website. “We’ve lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.”

Condolences poured in on social media, where Mike Tyson paid his respects.

“His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten,” he wrote in a post on X.

Basketball legend Scottie Pippen joined in.

“Rest in peace, George Foreman,” he wrote on X. “Your legacy lives on, champ.”

Foreman, who grew up in Houston, Texas, won the gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City and turned pro the following year. In 1973, he captured the heavyweight title against Joe Frazier, having done so with an undefeated record.

Foreman unsuccessfully defended his title against Muhammad Ali in 1974’s famous “Rumble in the Jungle,” and retired for the first time in 1977.

He returned to the sport after 10 years and became the sport’s oldest heavyweight champion at 45 years old in 1994. Foreman hung up the gloves for the final time in 1997 and was soon inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

After his retirement, Foreman was a boxing analyst for HBO for several years, and as a businessman launched the George Foreman Grill, which sold over 100 million units.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own,” the family said.