logo
Boxing heavyweight great George Foreman, who fought Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle,' dead at 76

Boxing heavyweight great George Foreman, who fought Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle,' dead at 76

CNN22-03-2025
George Foreman, the two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist whose legendary rivalry with Muhammad Ali culminated in the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' title bout, died Friday according to a verified social media account dedicated to Foreman. He was 76.
The Instagram post reads: 'Our hearts are broken. 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. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.
'A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family.
'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.'
Known as one of the most powerful punchers in boxing history, Foreman won Olympic gold in only his 25th amateur fight, devastated one of the all-time greats in Joe Frazier and went on to retain the heavyweight title twice before his now-iconic 1974 fight with Ali in Kinshasha, Zaire - now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Foreman also enjoyed major success as an entrepreneur, with his 'George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine' product debuting in 1994 and going on to sell more than 100 million units worldwide.
Foreman's victory over Soviet fighter Jonas Čepulis at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico sparked the beginning of his professional career, but his celebration was also significant.
He took a small American flag and waved it to every corner of the stadium – a memorable moment, given that just ten days earlier his US teammates Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the Black Power salute on the podium.
It was an action for which Foreman has no regrets, despite backlash when he returned to the US.
He told The Undefeated: 'When I walked into the Olympic Village, I saw a couple of athletes who looked like me. I went to speak to them, but they couldn't speak English. For the first time, I realized that the only thing that could identify us was our nation's colors.
'I waved the flag so they knew I was American. Everyone started applauding, so I waved it higher. That is the only reason I had that flag. If I had to do it all over again, I would have had two flags in my pocket.'
He continued: 'I proudly walked down Lyons Avenue in the Fifth Ward [in Houston] wearing my medal. A guy I thought was a friend walked up, looked me in the face and said, 'How could you do what you did when the brothers [Smith and Carlos] were doing their thing?' It … broke … my … heart. I didn't expect that.'
Foreman turned professional, and won his first 37 bouts before taking on world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, in January 1973.
Despite being the clear underdog, Foreman knocked Frazier down six times in two rounds to claim the WBA and WBC heavyweight belts, and become heavyweight champion.
His two defenses of the title - first downing Puerto Rico's Jose Roman in 50 seconds and then beating American Ken Norton, who had just defeated Ali, in just two rounds – set up the 'Rumble in the Jungle' bout in Zaire in October 1974.
The event had huge cultural and political significance. The decision to hold the fight in Zaire was controversial, with criticism over human rights abuses and corruption under late President Mobutu Sese Seko. It was also seen as a platform for Black athletes to promote African unity.
The fight itself – which saw both contenders guaranteed $5 million each, a huge amount at the time in the sport - is seen as one of the greatest ever.
Using a tactic later known as 'rope-a-dope,' Ali was able to withstand Foreman's punches by leaning back on the ropes, before landing a series of blows in the eighth round in what turned out to be his only knockout defeat in a 28-year professional career.
'I thought this would be the easiest $5 million I was going to pick up,' Foreman told CNN following Ali's death in 2016.
'I hit him hard in the third round, and he looked at me as if to say, 'I'm not gonna take it!'
'He hit me with a quick one-two, knocked me down to the canvas and my whole life changed. I was devastated. Little did I know I would make the best friend I ever had in my life.'
A dedicated Christian, Foreman became an ordained minister after losing his second professional boxing match in 1977 and retired from the sport.
Ten years later, despite being out of shape physically, Foreman returned to the ring at the age of 39, even taking on the 28-year-old Evander Holyfield in 1991 in a fight dubbed 'The Battle of the Ages,' though he ultimately lost via unanimous decision.
Foreman went on to stun the boxing world in 1994 when he won the IBF and WBA heavyweight titles by defeating Michael Moorer. It was 20 years after his loss to Ali.
In an interview with Boxing News in 2023, Foreman said the victory felt more special than his first heavyweight title win against Frazier.
'The second time I made a point of believing it,' he said. 'The first time I didn't believe it. When you fight for the heavyweight championship of the world it does feel unbelievable, it doesn't feel like you're really there, it could be a dream. 'You're going to wake up soon, you don't belong in the ring with these guys.''
Foreman finally retired for good in 1997, with a career record of 76 wins - 68 by KO - and five losses.
An impoverished youngster, Foreman grew up as one of seven children in the troubled Fifth Ward in Houston, and often bullied younger children before dropping out of high school.
He joined the Job Corps when he was 16, doing construction work and forestry – and it was there that he met Job Corps counsellor and boxing coach Doc Broaddus, which set Foreman on the way to a glittering career.
He also launched a clothing line and a short-lived reality TV show starring himself with his wife Mary Joan and 12 children – including five boys named George.
Foreman continued to preach at his church in Houston.
'My mother [Nancy] would have approved of [my ministry work] in a way she never did my boxing,' Foreman told Sorted magazine in March 2024.
Prev
Next
In 2019, Foreman's daughter Freeda, a former professional boxer, died by apparent suicide. He posted on social media about his 'first Sunday in 42 years without my Freeda'.
In 2022, two women accused Foreman of sexually abusing them when they were minors in the 1970s, according to lawsuits filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Foreman denied the allegations, and in March 2024 filed a court declaration requesting that one of the lawsuits was tossed out. CNN has previously reached out to representatives for Foreman for comment on allegations of sexual abuse and assault.
A film about his life – 'Big George Foreman' – was released in 2023. He told CNN that delving into his past was difficult and seeing his struggles growing up on screen moved him to tears.
'You go through life building a big fence, bricks and everything to cover up your life, to hide your life,' he said. 'Then all of a sudden, you got to reveal all those things you're trying to hide.
'It's not easy to tell a story about your life when you really spend a lifetime hiding your life.'
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Čilić steals first set
Čilić steals first set

New York Times

time5 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Čilić steals first set

Follow live coverage from today at SW19 with Novak Djokovic (6), Mirra Andreeva (7) and Iga Świątek (8) into the third round Getty Images Welcome to day four of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, as we are down to the final matches at SW19 today. Novak Djokovic (6) is through, winning in straight sets to reach the third round as he dominated Britain's Dan Evans, while Iga Świątek had to rally from a set down to beat Caty McNally. Jannik Sinner (1) and Ben Shelton (10) are on court late in the day. Emma Navarro (10), Mirra Andreeva (7) and Alex de Minaur (11) have made it into the third round. You can follow all the key updates and storylines below. Watch: BBC ( UK ), ESPN ( U.S. ) BBC ( ), ESPN ( ) Get involved: live@ Draper 4-6, 0-0* Čilić Big-time shot from Čilić, lacing a backhand down the line to win the game and the set. How will the No. 4 seeded Draper respond in the second set? Paul 6-1, *4-4 Ofner Tommy Paul had his left foot retaped, and he's back out on the court after a nine-minute break. His movement is such a big part of his game, so we'll see how hampered he is. Draper 4-4* Čilić Draper was in danger of being broken, which would've drastically shifted the momentum of the first set. Instead, he rallies from triple game point to even the set at four games apiece. Getty Images Świątek 5-7, 6-2, *0-0 McNally And there it is. Iga Świątek breaks Caty McNally again, and that not only wins the second set but also gives her the opening service game of the decider. McNally takes a toilet break after losing her lead on Centre Court. Paul 6-1, *4-4 Ofner Tommy Paul is injured and getting medical treatment after suffering a foot injury on an overhead. Looks like a tough break for the American who had just broken back to get even in the second set. Getty Images Świątek 5-7, 5-2* McNally It's been a much better set from Iga Świątek, who has ironed out the errors and taken charge of Caty McNally. Still up a solitary break, but now Świątek is just a game away from leveling the match. McNally now serving to stay in the second set. FINAL: Starodubtseva 2-6, 1-6 Samsonova Strong showing by Liudmila Samsonova, dispatching of Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets to advance to the third round. FINAL: Krejčíková 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 Dolehide Impressive shot by Krejčíková to seal the set and the match. She paints a firm backhand just inside the backline and all Dolehide could do is watch. While the final set score appears lopsided, this was a highly competitive match with Krejčíková's break a few games back serving as the difference. Getty Images Krejčíková 6-2, 3-6, *4-2 Dolehide If there was ever a time to break serve, that was it. A few unforced errors by Dolehide just swung this match in the latter stages. Can Krejčíková see this one out? Paul 6-1, *0-2 Ofner Sebastian Ofner turned the tables on Tommy Paul a bit to start the second set. Ofner broke Paul to start the set and held his first service game. He already has won more games in this second set than the first set after getting some medical treatment on his wrist between sets. Świątek 5-7, *2-0 McNally SIX break points for Iga Świątek. That is what it takes to finally break Caty McNally at the start of this second set. Now then. Can she take this across the entirety of this set? And is she playing well enough to do that? Maybe… Paul 6-1, *0-0 Ofner Tommy Paul made it look easy in his first set with Sebastian Ofner in just 23 minutes. Paul won the final four games of the set and converted three of the six break point chances he had. Ofner didn't help himself with 13 unforced errors. Getty Images Świątek 5-7, *0-0 McNally Wow. Iga Świątek isn't half making this look hard. The eighth seed is undone on her own serve for the second time in three service matches — and at the worst possible time. It leaves Caty McNally to serve for the first serve, and she does it to love. Her first-serve percentage is sitting at 82 percent right now, and Świątek seems a bit flummoxed about it all. We have lost 16 of the 31 women's seeds so far. Could we be losing the 17th here? Getty Images Paul 3-1* Ofner American Tommy Paul, the No. 13 seed, got the break to open his match with Sebastian Ofner and has backed that up by winning his first two service games. Paul, whose best finish at Wimbledon was the quarterfinals last year, is off to a solid start on Court 3. Getty Images Świątek *5-5 McNally It's all got a bit trickier for Iga Świątek in this first set on Centre Court. From a break up and cruising, Caty McNally has upped her level and now the unforced errors are creeping into Świątek's shots — much like we saw at the French Open, and that is her favorite surface. Świątek manages to hold her serve to stay in the first set. Now she's hunting down the McNally serve in a bid to pinch it herself — but McNally holds. On we go… Getty Images Krejčíková 6-2, 3-6, *0-0 Dolehide We're headed for a decisive third set on No. 2 Court. Dolehide looks poised as a strong shot creates another unforced error by Krejčíková, sealing the set. Getty Images Flamboyance can get you only so far… Corentin Moutet's Wimbledon magic is over for another year, as 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov wins on No. 3 Court 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. The 2014 Wimbledon semifinalist will now face either Tommy Paul or Sebástian Ofner in the third round. As for fastest win of the day so far, that goes to Ekaterina Alexandrova (18) as Suzan Lamens was dispatched 6-4, 6-0 on Court 18 in just 54 minutes. Zeynep Sönmez will be waiting in the third round. Krejčíková 6-2, 2-4* Dolehide U.S. star Caroline Dolehide is up against defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková, who won the opening set. But the American has picked off her opponent's serve in the second set with a strong backhand, leading to an unforced error to steal a break point — and now Dolehide has an opportunity to take control of this set and take the match into a decider on No. 2 Court. Getty Images Świątek *4-2 McNally The good news for Caty McNally is she's just held her own serve. The bad news is Iga Świątek looks in the mood to get this done as soon as possible. She is a break up and just two games away from claiming this first set on Centre Court. Page 2

Portugal and Spain players pay tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother before Euro 2025 opener
Portugal and Spain players pay tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother before Euro 2025 opener

Associated Press

time12 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

Portugal and Spain players pay tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother before Euro 2025 opener

BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Portugal and Spain players observed a period of silence before their Women's European Championship opening game Thursday in memory of Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. Both sets of players also wore black armbands for the match. Players and supporters stayed silent for around 20 seconds before the fans started applauding. Jota and his brother André Silva were killed in a car crash shortly after midnight in northwestern Spain when the Lamborghini they were traveling in veered off a road and burst into flames, Spanish police said earlier. Their deaths prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, players and officials across both women's and men's soccer. Some Portugal fans displayed banners in tribute to Jota before their team's Euro 2025 opener. 'Thank you for everything,' was written on one. 'Rest in peace,' said another. 'Today, for them,' Portugal forward Francisca (Kika) Nazareth had said on Instagram some hours before the match. 'One of our own,' teammate and fellow forward Jéssica Silva wrote, 'Diogo wasn't just a star. He was one of the good ones, the loyal ones, the attentive ones, the easy-going ones... one of those who don't need noise to make their mark. Thank you, Diego. Thank you, André. Football has become poorer... and so have we. You will never be forgotten.' ___ AP soccer:

Nationals slugger James Wood is headed to the Home Run Derby
Nationals slugger James Wood is headed to the Home Run Derby

Washington Post

time16 minutes ago

  • Washington Post

Nationals slugger James Wood is headed to the Home Run Derby

Asked about the premise of participating in the Home Run Derby a month ago, James Wood broke into a sly smile that suggested, yeah, he might be interested. He just had to wait for the invite first. This week, he got it. And on Thursday, the Washington Nationals 22-year-old slugger announced via an Instagram post that he would participate in the Derby, which is set for July 14 in Atlanta. Wood's 22 home runs entering Thursday are the seventh most in MLB, and his 12 home runs hit at least 110 mph trails only Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. Wood is set to become the third National to participate in the Home Run Derby. The other two — Juan Soto in 2022 and Bryce Harper in 2018 — won it. (Harper also participated in 2013.) If Wood can follow suit, he'd be the youngest-ever Derby champion. He joins Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. as the participants who have been named thus far. MLB has not yet announced the entire eight-player field. Teammates had gossiped about Wood's potential ability to take over the Home Run Derby for over a month now, with the initial calls coming out in late May when he hit a ball high off the batter's eye in center field at T-Mobile Park, an estimated 448 feet. Their rationale was clear: His swing is easy, and his muscles are youthful, creating a blend of power and skill that should generate plenty of home runs at Truist Park. As far as raw power is concerned, few can match Wood's ability at the plate. He leads MLB with four home runs that traveled longer than 445 feet. He is one of just six players with at least six home runs to the opposite field this season. On Washington's last road trip, in an effort to avoid that power, the Los Angeles Angels intentionally walked Wood four times in one game. It was the first time a player had been given that many intentional free passes since Barry Bonds in 2004. The prize for winning — $1 million — is larger than the 22-year-old's annual salary.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store