The American passed away at the age of 76, surrounded by his family. He was famous not only for his legendary fight against Muhammad Ali.
Boxing legend George Foreman has died. The American died on Friday at the age of 76 “peacefully surrounded by his loved ones,” the family announced on Saturday. Foreman was one of the greatest in his sport, even considered invincible until October 1974 – when he lost to Muhammed Ali in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming love and prayers and at the same time politely request privacy,” the family announced via Foreman’s Instagram account, ”as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were privileged to call one of our own.”
Foreman was a “philanthropist, Olympian, and two-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world.” And he proved to have historic comeback qualities. In 1977, at the age of just 28, he had initially declared his career over after a knockout defeat to Jimmy Young. Ten years later, however, Foreman returned and, in November 1994, 20 years after his famous fight against Ali, he was crowned the oldest heavyweight world champion in history with a spectacular knockout victory against Michael Moorer at the age of 45.
Foreman defended his belt in 1995 with a highly controversial victory against the German Axel Schulz. He then ended his career for good in 1997.
