RIP Champ – tributes paid after death of boxing great George Foreman
By PA Sport Staff
George Foreman’s place in boxing history “and beyond” will never be forgotten, according to Mike Tyson, who paid tribute to the former two-time world heavyweight champion following his death at the age of 76.
Foreman’s family said he died peacefully on Friday, announcing the news on the American’s Instagram account.
An Olympic gold medallist in 1968, Foreman claimed his first heavyweight title with a stoppage win over Joe Frazier in 1973.
Foreman lost the belt a year later to Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble In the Jungle’ bout held in the African nation then known as Zaire.
A second championship came more than two decades later at the age of 45 – with a stunning knockout win over Michael Moorer in 1994 making Foreman the oldest heavyweight champion ever.
Foreman retired from the sport in 1997 with a record of 76 wins – 68 by knockout – and just five losses. He later found tremendous success in the business world after retirement, with his popular George Foreman Grill selling in the millions.
Leading the tribute to Foreman, Tyson said in a post on social media, which included photos of the two men together: “Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
Foreman, who was married five times and is survived by 12 children, was an inspiration to many fighters.
British former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua – who also won Olympic gold at London 2012 – reposted the message from Foreman’s family on his Instagram story, adding the caption “RIP Champ”.
Promoter Frank Warren helped put on Foreman’s only UK fight in 1990 – a first-round knockout win over Terry Anderson ahead of his showdown with then heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.
“After he gave up boxing and then came back 10 years later, he was the most convivial, loveliest person you could meet. He was just a dream,” Warren said on Sky Sports.
“In 1990, I brought him over here to London and promoted him here on his comeback trail. He was a joy to work with and a fabulous guy.
“He was very humble and had a lot of time for people. He was also a great fighter. He was part of that Holy Trinity of heavyweight boxers with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
“The great fights they had between them were special times for boxing and are events which have gone down as significant moments in the world of sport.”
Ex-NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson – who won five titles with Los Angeles Lakers – said it was a “pleasure getting to know (Foreman) not only as a boxer, but as a man”.
Johnson wrote on X: “I was really sad to hear the news that one of my boxing heroes, George Foreman, passing (sic) away.
“I attended so many of George’s championship fights over his career. He was a knockout artist in the ring, and it was a pleasure getting to know him not only as a boxer but as a man.
“After leaving the ring, he turned into an amazing businessman — I even bought one of the first George Foreman grills! (Johnson’s wife) Cookie and I will be praying for his family during this time.”