MOSCOW, March 22. /TASS/. Former world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman has died at the age of 76, his relatives announced, sharing a farewell post on his Instagram page (banned in Russia and owned by Meta Corporation, which is recognized as extremist in Russia).
"With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. <...> We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own," the statement reads.
Foreman, born in 1949 in the United States, competed in the heavyweight division from 1969 to 1977 and again from 1987 to 1997. The American became a champion under the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Organization (WBO).
He was twice honored as Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine in 1973 and 1976. In 1994, at the age of 45, he became the oldest world champion in boxing history, winning the WBA and IBF titles. While his compatriot Bernard Hopkins broke the overall record in 2010, Foreman was still the oldest heavyweight champion.
He also won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympic Games. In total, Foreman had 81 fights, winning 76 of them (68 by knockout) and losing five.