‘Religious Preacher, Devoted Husband’: Lovable Heavyweight Champ George Foreman Passes Away at 76

George Foreman, the fearsome heavyweight who misplaced the “Rumble within the Jungle” to Muhammad Ali earlier than his inspiring second act as a 45-year-old champion and a profitable businessman, died Friday night time. He was 76.

Foreman’s household introduced his loss of life on social media.

“A religious preacher, a loyal husband, a loving father, and a proud grand- and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering religion, humility and objective,” his household wrote.

A local Texan, Foreman started his boxing profession as an Olympic gold medalist who impressed worry as he climbed to the height of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated solely a 12 months later when Ali pulled off one of the crucial audacious victories in boxing historical past in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into dropping his belt in one of many best fights ever staged.

Foreman left the game just a few years later, however returned after a 10-year absence and a self-described spiritual awakening.

WATCH ‘Massive George Foreman’: Champ Remembers Day He Died and ‘Jesus Christ Got here Alive in Me‘

He then pulled off one of the crucial spectacular knockouts in boxing historical past in 1994, flooring Michael Moorer – 19 years his junior – with one good mixture to say Moorer’s two heavyweight belts.

Foreman’s transformation into an inspirational determine was full, and he fought solely 4 extra instances earlier than transferring onto his subsequent profession as a genial businessman, pitchman and occasional actor.

He was greatest generally known as the face of the George Foreman Grill, a rudimentary cooking machine which bought greater than 100 million items and made him a lot wealthier than his sport ever did.