“Substantial” George Foreman, one of the most influential and recognizable boxers of all time, died on Friday, his family Announced on his account on social media.
He was 76 years venerable.
Foreman, who won the Olympic gold medal in 1968, was a two -time heavyweight champion and Hall of Fame boxer.
Perhaps he is best known for the historical rumble in the jungle with Muhammad Ali in 1974 in Zaire, the foreman lost nervousness by the end of the eighth round. This is probably the most renowned struggle of all time and the film “When Were Kings”, which described the fight, won the Oscar for the best documentary.
Foreman once again underwent a story later in his career. He fought five times after he lost the championship in massive weight from Ali at the age of 25, including the victory of TKO in the fifth round over Joe Frazier (whom he stopped in two rounds to win the title for the first time) and the fifth round of Ron Lyle in a classic slugfest.
After the fifth fight at the age of 28, Foreman shockingly announced a pension and began his career as an ordained minister in his hometown of Texas.
Foreman was retired for 10 years. He returned to boxing in 1987 at the age of 38 and probably installed the most impressive sports return in history.
Initially, Foreman pulled the record with uncomplicated victories. One of them was a knockout in the second round of Gerry Cooney. But then, in 1991, Foreman proved that this return was real when he pushed the great Evander Holyfield on the edge in a classic fight for the title in massive weight at the age of 42. Although he failed to become a two -time heavyweight champion, Foreman was not listed.
Five fights later, after losing to Tommy Morrison, Foreman reached unthinkable.
On the results cards in the next fight for the title Foreman he was combined with two strokes, which put Michael Moorer for 10 in 1994. At the age of 45 and 299 days, Foreman was once again a heavyweight champion of the world, the oldest man who took the largest prize in boxing (and also the oldest master in history, which was for 20 years).
“It happened,” Jim Lampley called to the HBO transmission. “It happened!”
Foreman had a successful career with Lampley as a HBO boxing analyst. But his greatest success outside the ring has not yet come.
In the same year, Foreman defeated Moorerera, launched his title grill, which sold over 100 million pieces around the world.
In 1999 he sold the commercial rights of George Foreman Grill for $ 138 million.
Foreman’s last fight took place in November 1997, in most losses of decisions for Shannon Briggs.
For 12 years he maintained his role in HBO as a ring analyst, ending in 2004.
The ring called Foreman the ninth of the great puncher of all time, and in 2002 one of the 25 best boxers of the last 80 years.
In the Top Range statement, he called Foreman “one of the biggest hits and personalities he has ever seen.”
“George was a great friend not only himself, but for my whole family,” said Bob Arum, the chairman of the highest class. “We lost a family member and we are absolutely devastated.”
For his part, Lampley said that Foreman’s death was “a huge loss” and that he feels “blessed and privileged, that he knew him.”
“Tonight I am flooded with tears after I found out about the death of my dear friend and transmission partner George Foreman. I loved him,” said Lampley in a statement. “He was a great warrior and far, a much bigger man. Every great thing that happened to him, and there was a lot of unusual blessings, was richly deserved. My thoughts and prayers are today with his family, friends and a prejudice.”
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