DailySun
Johannesburg – The South African boxing community is mourning the passing of George Edward Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion, Olympian, and humanitarian.
Foreman, who made an incredible comeback to reclaim the heavyweight title at age 45 and became a well-known product ambassador, peacefully passed away at the age of 76 on Friday, March 21, 2025, coinciding with Human Rights Day in South Africa.
He left this life surrounded by family and friends.
“With great sadness, we inform you of the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr., who left us peacefully on March 21, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones,” his family shared in an Instagram post.
Boxing South Africa expressed its sorrow over the loss of the esteemed two-time heavyweight champion.
Ayanda Khumalo, Chairperson of Boxing South Africa, expressed her gratitude for Foreman’s significant contributions, stating that he was a “symbol of resilience and an inspiration for countless aspiring athletes worldwide.”
Khumalo highlighted that one of Foreman’s many legacies is the profound impact he had on the sport of boxing and the enduring influence he has left on it.
“We are thankful to your family for sharing you with us all these years,” Khumalo remarked.
“As the saying goes, ‘Legends never die.’
“The memories of your virtues and extraordinary life will always remain in our hearts.”
Reflecting on Foreman’s greatness, the SABC remarked on his formidable power, recalling that he lost his first title to Muhammad Ali in their iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974.
Big George reemerged as a more robust and joyful figure when he defeated Michael Moorer to claim his second title two decades later.
His comeback and success as a promoter of fat-reducing electric grills turned him into an icon of self-improvement and achievement for the Baby Boomer generation.
Born in Marshall, Texas, on January 10, 1949, Foreman’s family later moved to Houston, where he was raised with his six siblings by a single mother.
Having experienced poverty in the segregated American South, Foreman dropped out of junior high and became involved in street robberies, leveraging his size and physical strength.
“George’s journey from the streets of Fifth Ward to triumph in boxing and business stands as a beacon of inspiration,” stated Houston Mayor John Whitmire.
“He never forgot his roots… Houston will forever take pride in recognizing George Foreman as one of our own.”
Foreman later reflected that the Job Corps, part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” reforms, “rescued me from the gutter.”
Through this program, 16-year-old Foreman left Texas, learning to channel his anger and physicality into the sport of boxing.
