George Foreman

Boxer Profile and Personal Life

George Edward Foreman, nicknamed “Big George,” was born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, and passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76. He stood 191 cm tall with a reach of 198 cm and fought as a heavyweight with an orthodox stance.

Foreman grew up in the Fifth Ward of Houston, Texas, with six siblings. Despite being raised by his stepfather J.D. Foreman, his biological father was Leroy Moorehead.

As a youth, Foreman faced challenges, dropping out of school at 15 and engaging in delinquent behavior. However, at 16, he joined the Job Corps, where he earned his GED and learned carpentry and bricklaying skills.

Foreman was married five times, with his final marriage to Mary Joan Martelly lasting from 1985 until his death. He fathered 12 children: five sons all named George Edward Foreman, and seven daughters. His son George Foreman III followed in his footsteps as a boxer and entrepreneur.

Known for his patriotism and community service, Foreman was honored with the American Legion’s James V. Day “Good Guy” Award in 2013.

After retiring from boxing, he became an ordained Christian minister and a successful entrepreneur, most notably with the George Foreman Grill.

Amateur Career

Foreman began his boxing journey in the amateur ranks, where he quickly established himself as a formidable talent.

His crowning amateur achievement came at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where he won the gold medal in the heavyweight division by defeating Jonas Čepulis of the Soviet Union.

Professional Career

After turning professional in 1969, Foreman built an impressive undefeated record of 37-0 with 34 knockouts. This earned him a shot at Joe Frazier’s heavyweight championship on January 22, 1973, in Kingston, Jamaica. In what became known as the “Sunshine Showdown”.

Foreman dominated Frazier, knocking him down six times within two rounds to claim the world heavyweight title.

Foreman’s first reign as champion ended on October 30, 1974, in Kinshasa, Zaire, in the historic “Rumble in the Jungle” against Muhammad Ali. Despite being favored to win, Foreman fell victim to Ali’s “rope-a-dope” strategy and was knocked out in the eighth round.

After a religious experience following a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman retired from boxing and became a minister.

Comeback

In 1994, at the age of 45, Foreman achieved the seemingly impossible by knocking out 26-year-old Michael Moorer to regain the heavyweight championship, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

George Foreman Grill and Other Ventures

By 1989, while continuing his boxing comeback, Foreman began to reinvent himself as a businessman and entrepreneur. He sold his name and likeness for the advertising of various products, most notably the George Foreman Grill, which became his most successful business venture.

In 1999, Foreman received $138 million when he sold the commercial rights to the grill to Salton, Inc. Prior to that deal, he had been earning approximately 40% of the profits on each grill sold, which at its peak amounted to about $4.5 million per month in payouts.

Beyond the grill, Foreman marketed his own line of environmentally friendly cleaning products called “Knock-Out,” as well as a line of personal care products. He also authored several books, including cookbooks featuring recipes for his grill and autobiographical works detailing his life journey.

In 2022, Foreman served as an executive producer on “Big George Foreman,” a Christian film based on his sporting and spiritual life. He also made appearances in various media, including competing in the eighth season of “The Masked Singer” as “Venus Fly Trap” in 2022.

Death and Legacy

Foreman passed away on March 21, 2025, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 76. His death came just two days after the 51st anniversary of his historic first heavyweight championship victory over Joe Frazier in 1973.

Foreman left behind an extraordinary legacy that transcended boxing, defined by two distinct championship reigns separated by a 20-year gap—a feat unmatched in boxing history.

In the days following his death, tributes poured in from across the sports world and beyond.

Fellow boxing legends, business leaders, and religious figures all praised Foreman’s remarkable journey from troubled youth to Olympic champion, from fearsome heavyweight to beloved pitchman, and from spiritual seeker to dedicated minister.

Foreman’s legacy lives on through his 12 children, his ministry, his business ventures, and his permanent place in boxing history as a two-time heavyweight champion who conquered the sport in two completely different eras.

Boxing Record:

• 81 fights - 76 wins, 5 losses
• 68 wins by knockout
• 5 losses (1 by knockout, 4 by decision)

Career Highlights:

• 1968 - Olympic Gold Medal (Heavyweight)
• 1973-1974 - WBC/WBA Heavyweight Champion
• 1994-1995 - WBA/IBF Heavyweight Champion
• 1994 - Oldest Heavyweight Champion in History (45 years old)
• 1997 - Retired at age 48 with a final record of 76-5 (68 KOs)