Mike Tyson leads tributes to George Foreman after heavyweight great’s death
Fellow heavyweight Mike Tyson has paid tribute to George Foreman after the boxing great’s passing at the age of 76.
Foreman’s family said their hearts were broken by the death of “Big George”, who won 76 of his 81 professional fights after winning Olympic gold as an amateur in 1968.
The American won the world heavyweight title in 1973 with a knockout win over the undefeated Joe Frazier, and memorably took on Muhammad Ali at “The Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa year later.
Two decades later, at the age of 45, he won one of boxing’s most coveted prizes again by beating Michael Moorer, and remains boxing’s oldest heavyweight champion.
"Condolences to George Foreman’s family,” Tyson said on social media, paying tribute. “His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
Foreman also forged a successful career after life in the ring, with the George Foreman Grill selling in huge numbers worldwide.
Former NBA player Charles Barkley was close to Foreman, having similarly moved into entrepreneurial pursuits after his retirement.
"He was obviously one of the greatest boxers ever, but just a gentle man, he was a pastor - and it just hurts man, plain and simple", Barkley told CBS.
"I’m shook up right now, that caught me so off guard.”
Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in modern boxing and chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, described Foreman as one of “three pillars” of the sport along with Ali and Frazier.
"The last boxing pillar for an unforgettable era has passed away today,” Alalshikh posted alongside a picture of the trio. “May his soul rest in peace, Big George Foreman!"
Bob Arum, a leading boxing promoter and chair of Top Rank, said: “George was a great friend to not only myself, but to my entire family. We’ve lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.”
President Donald Trump also paid tribute on Truth Social: “George Foreman is dead. What a great fighter!!! He had, without question, the heaviest and biggest punch in the history of boxing. With the exception of Ali, when you got hit, you went down. He was something really special, but above all, he was a great person, with a personality that was bigger than life. I knew him well, and he will be missed. Warmest condolences to his wonderful family!!!”
Topics
-
George Foreman, boxing champion and entrepreneur, dies aged 76
The death of the heavyweight champion boxer was announced by his family in a post on Instagram. Mike Tyson, sports stars and more pay tribute to boxing great George Foreman – a life in ...The Guardian - 15h -
Mike Tyson, sports stars and more pay tribute to boxing great George Foreman
Boxers and leading sporting figures celebrate the late heavyweight champion, ‘knockout artist’, preacher and entrepreneur. George Foreman, boxing champion and entrepreneur, dies aged 76 George ...The Guardian - 11h -
George Foreman: Former heavyweight champion dies aged 76
George Foreman, the boxing world champion who became a celebrated product pitchman, has died at age 76, his family said in a statement.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Heavyweight boxing great George Foreman dead at 76
Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, who lost to Muhammad Ali in boxing's iconic 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" before reclaiming the title two decades later, died Friday aged 76, his family ...Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Boxing champ George Foreman dies at age 76
Known as “Big George”, Foreman was a world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist. He passed away at age 76.NBC News - 13h -
George Foreman, heavyweight boxing champion who fought Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’
George Foreman, the former world heavyweight champion who has died at the age of 76, looked destined for some 20 years to be remembered for the manner of his shocking 1974 defeat to the then ...Yahoo Sports - 8h -
George Foreman remembered as a ‘great fighter’ by President Trump and a ‘knockout artist’ by Magic Johnson
Tributes poured in for George Foreman, who died Friday at the age of 76, that revealed the multifaceted legacy of the fearsome heavyweight champion.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
George Foreman Dies: 2x Heavyweight Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist & Entrepreneur Was 76
George Foreman, the boxing champ and George Foreman Grill mogul, has died. He was 76. The 2x world heavyweight champion, who was known as Big George Foreman, “peacefully” died on Friday “surrounded ...Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Two-time heavyweight George Foreman dies at 76
George Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion, the second time at age 45, died Friday in his hometown Houston, his family said. He was 76.Yahoo Sports - 13h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Takeaways as Iowa women's basketball cruises past Murray State in March Madness opener
Iowa handled business in a dominant first-round win over the Murray State Racers. Takeaways from the Hawkeyes' NCAA Tournament triumph.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Takeaways as Iowa women's basketball cruises past Murray State in March Madness opener
Iowa handled business in a dominant first-round win over the Murray State Racers. Takeaways from the Hawkeyes' NCAA Tournament triumph.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Jase Richardson had to make one big change to flush his first half performance on Friday
After a lackluster first half, Jase Richardson changed his shoes at halftime and it made the differenceYahoo Sports - 13m -
Jase Richardson had to make one big change to flush his first half performance on Friday
After a lackluster first half, Jase Richardson changed his shoes at halftime and it made the differenceYahoo Sports - 13m -
Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL opener
Virat Kohli scored 59 not out off 36 balls as Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets Saturday in the opening game of the Indian Premier League. The star batter hit ...Yahoo Sports - 15m
More in Sports
-
College basketball coaching changes: VCU's Ryan Odom goes to Virginia; awaiting Rodney Terry news at Texas
Matt Norlander has the latest intel on what's happening in coaching searches nationwide as the NCAA Tournament continuesCBS Sports - 8m -
Takeaways as Iowa women's basketball cruises past Murray State in March Madness opener
Iowa handled business in a dominant first-round win over the Murray State Racers. Takeaways from the Hawkeyes' NCAA Tournament triumph.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Takeaways as Iowa women's basketball cruises past Murray State in March Madness opener
Iowa handled business in a dominant first-round win over the Murray State Racers. Takeaways from the Hawkeyes' NCAA Tournament triumph.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Jase Richardson had to make one big change to flush his first half performance on Friday
After a lackluster first half, Jase Richardson changed his shoes at halftime and it made the differenceYahoo Sports - 13m -
Jase Richardson had to make one big change to flush his first half performance on Friday
After a lackluster first half, Jase Richardson changed his shoes at halftime and it made the differenceYahoo Sports - 13m