George Foreman, the legendary heavyweight boxer known for his fierce battles in the ring—including his iconic showdown with Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’—passed away on Friday at the age of 76.
Foreman just wasn't a boxer. He became a minister, a youth mentor, a cookbook author and an established TV personality who marketed his own brand of big and tall menswear.
“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,” his family shared the news on Instagram.
ALSO READ| George Foreman dies: All on boxing legend's wife, children and massive net worth
George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali: Who won the bout?
Foreman vs. Ali is one of the few rivalries in boxing history that have been put into the limelight and their epic 1974 clash, ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ between the pair at Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), lived up to its name.
Foreman retired in 1978 but returned in 1988, at the age of 45, to become the oldest heavyweight champion.
Foreman entered the ring as the undefeated heavyweight champion, boasting a terrifying record of 40-0 with 37 knockouts. At 40-0 with 37 knockouts — the undefeated heavyweight champion entered the ring.
At just 25, he had bulldozed through top contenders, including Joe Frazier and Ken Norton—both of whom had beaten Ali. At 32, Ali was seen as past his prime. Though he had avenged his losses to Frazier and Norton, few believed he could handle the raw power of Foreman.
The bout itself was more than just a boxing match; Ali, always the master showman, embraced the African crowd, rallying them behind his now-famous chant, “Ali, bomaye!” (“Ali, kill him!”). Foreman remained distant, struggling to adjust to the unfamiliar environment.
Even before the match, Ali touted, “You think the world was shocked when Nixon resigned? Wait until I whup George Foreman’s behind,” per ESPN.
Foreman's fight was on September 25, but he was put back due to a cut above his Foreman's eye. Tensions grew because neither fighter was permitted to leave Zaire. Before the bout, fans were treated to a three-day music festival, including legends of James Brown and B.B. King.
When the bell rang on October 30, Ali shocked the world by leaning on the ropes and allowing Foreman to unleash his power. The “rope-a-dope” strategy, designed to wear Foreman down, proved brilliant. By the eighth round, the exhausted champion was vulnerable. Ali seized the moment, delivering a final combination that sent Foreman to the canvas. The fight was over. Ali had reclaimed the heavyweight crown.
“Everybody needs an excuse,” Foreman later admitted. “I blamed it on the ropes, I blamed it on everything. That [loss] devastated me.”
-1742522930-q80.webp "The MMQB Explains Why Broncos Among Top-5 'Most Improved' Teams")
-1739431929-q80.webp "Travis Kelce Apologizes for ‘Tough’ Super Bowl Loss")
-1739158185-q80.webp "Jordan Love attempts to recruit Micah Parsons to Packers, live audience boos him")