The legendary bone weight of the box George Foreman died at age 76.
Known as “Big George” in the ring, the American has built one of the most impressive and lasting careers of the sport.
He won the Olympic gold in 1968 and became a world-weight world champion twice, with a 21-year interval between the titles-being the second at 45, which made him the oldest champion in history.
Foreman lost his first title to Muhammad Ali (1942 – 2016) in the historic struggle ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ (‘Jungle Fight’, which took place in 1974 in Zaire, current Democratic Republic of Congo).
However, throughout his career, he has accumulated an impressive record of 76 wins, including 68 by knockout – over double there.
He retired in 1997, but not before licensing his name to an electric grid that became a bestseller. The decision earned him an even greater fortune than his boxing gains.
His family announced the news in an Instagram post on Friday night: “Our hearts are broken. A devotee preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather, he lived a life guided by unshakable faith, humility and purpose.”
The statement also pointed out: “A humanitarian, an Olympic medalist and two-time world-fashioned world champion, he was deeply respected-a force of good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a guardian of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name for his family.”
Tributes from all over the boxing world – and other sports – quickly started to arrive.
Turki Alalshikh, president of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Entertainment, stated in X that Foreman’s loss is “sad for me and the world of boxing,” noting that he was the “last pillar of an unforgettable era.”
Mike Tyson, in his condolences, said Foreman’s contribution to boxing will never be forgotten, noting the importance of his career.
Magic Johnson and Scottie Pippen, former NBA players, also expressed their sadness. Johnson mentioned that Foreman was one of his “boxing heroes” and praised his skill in the ring and as an entrepreneur. Pippen wrote that Foreman’s legacy “lives forever”.
The Ring magazine, often called the ‘Boxing Bible’, described Foreman as “one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.”
“[Ele] It will be remembered forever as an icon of the sport. “
The origins of the athlete
George Foreman was born in Marshall, Texas, on January 10, 1949, and was raised in the southern segregate of the United States alongside six brothers, being educated only by his mother. In his youth, he abandoned the school and was involved in robberies on the streets, until he found a new path in boxing.
Foreman won the gold medal in the heavyweights at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City at the age of 19. Shortly thereafter, he became a professional and won his first 37 consecutive fights. Throughout his career, he lost only five fighting.
In 1973, he defeated the then unbeaten champion Joe Franzier in Kingston, Jamaica, knocking him six times in the first two rounds.
The following year, he faced Muhammad there in the ‘jungle fight’. The duel has become one of the most famous in boxing history.
There, which was older, he entered the ring like unlucky. Seven years earlier, he had been deprived of the world title for refusing to be summoned to the Vietnam War.
Five decades later, in an interview with BBC World Service’s NewsHour program, Foreman recalled the legendary fight and said that everyone believed he would destroy there.
“Ah, it won’t last a round,” Foreman said, recalling expert predictions at the time.
The former champion said that he was usually very nervous before a fight, feeling that cold in his belly, but that night, curiously, he felt quieter than ever.
There, however, he used a strategy that would be known as ‘Rope-a-Dope’ (leaning against the ropes, defending himself and letting his opponent wear out), letting Foreman exhaust himself throughout the rounds. Exhausted after releasing hundreds of scams, Foreman was knocked out there on the eighth round.
After a second defeat as a professional, Foreman retired in 1977 and became a pastor of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas, which he himself founded and built.
He told BBC that losing to there was “the best thing that has ever happened” in his life, because that led him to share his message through preaching.
He recalled that he began to preach modestly, talking to friends and corners until his audience grew.
“At first, we gathered informally in several houses in Houston, but soon the crowds were too big to fit them,” Foreman said on his website.
“Eventually, we bought land and an old and deteriorated building in the northeast region of Houston.”
Foreman married five times and had twelve children, including five boys, all called George.
He explained on his website that he wanted to baptize them with his own name so that “they always had something in common.”
“I say to them, ‘If one of us rises, we all go up together. If one falls, we all fell together!'” He said.
In 1987, Foreman left retirement to raise money to a youth center he founded. He won 24 fights before losing to Evander Holyfield after 12 rounds in 1991.
Three years later, in 1994, he knocked out the unbeaten Michael Moorer and became 45 the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
At that time, Foreman caught the attention of several advertisers interested in profit from his name, image and likeness after his impressive return to boxing after almost a decade away.
It was then that Michael Boehm, inventor of the device, sought him.
After reflecting on the proposal with his wife, Foreman was convinced of the idea. “Initially, they seemed indifferent, even skeptical. This happened to almost everyone I showed,” said Boehm, according to Entrepreneur magazine.
Sales fired: George Foreman Grill was manufactured by Salton, Inc. The product was launched in the market in 1994, and sales began to rise in 1996, generating a $ 5 million revenue, according to The New York Times.
In 1998, sales reached impressive figures, with a revenue of $ 200 million. The success was such that the product accounted for almost 37% of Salton’s sales, Inc. In addition, Foreman said he earned $ 8 million a month with his profits only, according to Forbes.
“No doubt the grill was more successful, but I would never have happened without my career in boxing, I can guarantee it … You know, it’s weird … People recognize me more now [por causa da grelha]and now people say ‘George, I love the grid! And it works! I lost so much weight. ‘ You hear that kind of thing, and it makes me realize that success can’t be measured with money when it comes to it, “Foreman said in an interview with The Motley Fool Radio Show.
