Editing George Foreman

{{Short description|American boxer (1949–2025)}}
{{other uses}}
{{Pp-pc}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name = George Foreman
| image = George Foreman (1973).jpg
| caption = Foreman in 1973
| realname = George Edward Foreman
| nickname = Big George
| weight = [[Heavyweight]]
| height = 6 ft 3 in<ref name=moorerforeman>''[[HBO Sports]]'' tale of the tape prior to the [[Michael Moorer vs. George Foreman|Michael Moorer fight]].</ref>
| reach = 78 in<ref name=moorerforeman/>
| birth_date = {{birth date|1949|01|10}}
| birth_place = [[Marshall, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|03|21|1949|01|10}}
| death_place = [[Houston]], Texas, U.S.
| style = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| total = 81
| wins = 76
| KO = 68
| losses = 5
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport | Men's [[amateur boxing]] }}
{{MedalCountry | {{Flagu|United States}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Boxing at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] }}
{{MedalGold | [[Boxing at the 1968 Summer Olympics|1968 Mexico City]] | [[Boxing at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Heavyweight|Heavyweight]] }}
}}

'''George Edward Foreman''' (January 10, 1949 – March 21, 2025) was an American [[professional boxer]], businessman, minister, and author. In boxing, he competed between 1967 and 1997, and was nicknamed "'''Big George'''". He was a two-time world [[heavyweight]] champion and an [[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic]] gold medalist. He is the namesake of the [[George Foreman Grill]].

After a troubled childhood, Foreman took up [[amateur boxing]] and won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the [[1968 Summer Olympics]]. Having turned professional the next year, he won the world heavyweight title with a stunning second-round knockout of the then-undefeated [[Joe Frazier]] in 1973. He defended the belt twice before suffering his first professional loss to [[Muhammad Ali]] in "[[The Rumble in the Jungle]]" in 1974.<ref name="ChristopherSmith2006">{{cite book |author1=Christopher, Paul J. |author2=Smith, Alicia Marie |title=Greatest Sports Heroes of All Times: North American Edition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=81mybCXNstAC |date=August 2006 |publisher=Encouragement Press, LLC |isbn=978-1-933766-09-6 |pages=75–81}}</ref> Unable to secure another title opportunity, Foreman retired after a loss to [[Jimmy Young (boxer)|Jimmy Young]] in 1977.

Following what he referred to as a [[born again]] experience, Foreman became an ordained Christian minister.<ref name="NYT2015">{{cite web |title=The Conversion of George Foreman: Packing a Wallop in the Pulpit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/sports/the-conversion-of-george-foreman-packing-a-wallop-in-the-pulpit.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 23, 2024 |date=August 8, 2015 |quote=Then a "giant hand" plucked him into consciousness. Foreman found himself on a locker room table, surrounded by friends and staff members. He felt as if he were physically filled with the presence of a dying Christ. He felt his forehead bleed, punctured by a crown of thorns; his wrists, he believed, had been pierced by nails of the cross.  "I knew that Jesus Christ was coming alive in me," Foreman said. "I ran into the shower and turned on the water and — hallelujah! — I was born again. |archive-date=June 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623203930/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/sports/the-conversion-of-george-foreman-packing-a-wallop-in-the-pulpit.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Oden |first1=John E. |title=Life in the Ring |date=September 29, 2009 |publisher=Hatherleigh Press |isbn=978-1578263493 |page=73 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z5McAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT73 |access-date=October 30, 2019}}</ref> Ten years later he announced a comeback, and in 1994 at age 45 won the unified [[World Boxing Association|WBA]], [[IBF]], and [[lineal championship|lineal]] heavyweight championship titles by knocking out 26-year-old [[Michael Moorer]]. He dropped the WBA belt rather than face his mandatory title defense soon after, and following a single successful title defense against [[Axel Schulz]], Foreman relinquished his IBF title as well on June 28, 1995. At 46 years and 169 days old, he was the [[World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics#Champions by age|oldest world heavyweight champion in history]].<ref name="boxrec-pro">{{cite web |title=Professional boxing record: George Foreman |url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/90 |access-date=March 14, 2020 |publisher=BoxRec.com}}</ref> Foreman was the oldest to ever win the world heavyweight boxing championship of major honors and the second-oldest in any [[Weight class (boxing)|weight class]] after [[Bernard Hopkins]] (at [[light heavyweight]]). He retired in 1997 at the age of 48, with a final record of 76 wins (68 knockouts) and 5 losses, one of the famous losses coming at the hands of Muhammad Ali who hit him with a lightning fast 1&ndash;2 combination which was "the fastest punch" Foreman had ever seen.

Foreman was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]]. The International Boxing Research Organization rates Foreman as the eighth-greatest heavyweight of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibroresearch.com/?p=52 |title=Heavyweight. IBRO All Time Ratings |website=Ibroresearch.com |access-date=November 12, 2011 |archive-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110224950/http://www.ibroresearch.com/?p=52 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2002, he was named one of the 25 greatest fighters of the past 80 years by [[The Ring (magazine)|''The Ring'']].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxing.about.com/od/history/a/ring_80_best.htm |title=Ring Magazine's 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years |author=Eisele, Andrew |date=February 22, 2018 |website=Boxing.about.com |access-date=February 25, 2016 |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108035508/http://boxing.about.com/od/history/a/ring_80_best.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''The Ring'' ranked him as the ninth-greatest puncher of all time.<ref>{{cite web |last=Eisele |first=Andrew |url=http://boxing.about.com/od/history/a/ring_punchers.htm |title=Ring Magazine's 100 Greatest Punchers |website=Boxing.about.com |access-date=February 25, 2016 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075523/http://boxing.about.com/od/history/a/ring_punchers.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was a ringside analyst for [[HBO]]'s boxing coverage for 12 years until 2004.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 4, 2003 |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/George+Foreman+Leaves+HBO+Sports+After+Twelve+Great+Years%3B+Former...-a0110913673 |title=George Foreman Leaves HBO Sports After Twelve Great Years |work=PR Newswire |access-date=January 21, 2012 |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729181546/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/George+Foreman+Leaves+HBO+Sports+After+Twelve+Great+Years%3B+Former...-a0110913673 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Outside boxing, Foreman was a successful entrepreneur and known for his promotion of the George Foreman Grill, which has sold more than 100 million units worldwide by 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.georgeforemancooking.com/t-ourhistory.aspx |title=History of the George Foreman Grill |work=georgeforemancooking.com |access-date=January 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208022151/http://www.georgeforemancooking.com/t-ourhistory.aspx |archive-date=December 8, 2011}}</ref> In 1999, he sold the commercial rights to the grill for $138&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/01/30/millionaires-without-high-school-diplomas-entrepreneurs-finance-millionaire_2.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123142317/http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/30/millionaires-without-high-school-diplomas-entrepreneurs-finance-millionaire_2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |work=Forbes |first=Helen |last=Coster |title=Millionaire High School Dropouts Page 2 of 2 |date=January 30, 2010}}</ref>

==Early life==
George Foreman was born in [[Marshall, Texas]], on January 10, 1949.<ref name="Porter1995">{{cite book |author=Porter, David L. |title=African-American Sports Greats: A Biographical Dictionary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cLFhNYLJD-sC |access-date=September 1, 2018 |year=1995 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-28987-3 |page=94}}</ref><ref name="Boxrec">{{cite web |url=https://boxrec.com/en/box-am/90 |title=Amateur boxing record: George Foreman |publisher=BoxRec.com |access-date=March 27, 2025 }}</ref> He grew up in the [[Fifth Ward, Houston|Fifth Ward]] community of [[Houston]], Texas, with six siblings.<ref>Foreman, George (2013) ''George Foreman's Guide to Life: How to Get Up off the Canvas When Life Knocks You Down''. Simon & Schuster. {{ISBN|978-1476745718}}</ref> Although he was raised by J.&nbsp;D. Foreman, whom his mother had married when George was a small child, his biological father was Leroy Moorehead. By his own admission in his autobiography, George was a troubled youth. He dropped out of school at the age of 15 and spent time as a mugger. At age 16, Foreman had a change of heart and convinced his mother to sign him up for [[Job Corps]] after seeing an ad for the Corps on TV. As part of Job Corps, Foreman earned his [[General Educational Development|GED]] and trained to become a carpenter and bricklayer.<ref name="houstonchronicle1">Hauser, Melanie. [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/general/article/Houston-Sports-Hall-of-Fame-2019-Quite-a-journey-13561768.php "Houston Sport Hall of Fame 2019: George Foreman."] ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. January 2019.</ref> After moving to [[Pleasanton, California]], with the help of a supervisor, he began to train. Foreman was interested in football and idolized [[Jim Brown]], but gave it up for boxing.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.georgeforeman.com/pages/did-you-know |title=Did you know – Official Website of George Foreman |access-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125072623/https://www.georgeforeman.com/pages/did-you-know |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Amateur career==
===1968 Summer Olympics===
[[File:George Foreman and Lyndon Johnson 1968.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Foreman with President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in 1968]]

Foreman won a gold medal in the [[Boxing at the 1968 Summer Olympics|boxing/heavyweight division]] at the [[1968 Summer Olympics|1968 Mexico City Olympic Games]]. In the finals, Foreman defeated the Soviet Union's [[Jonas Čepulis]];  the referee stopped the fight in the second round.<ref name=sweet>{{cite web |title=Foreman Fondly Remembers "Geezers At Caesars" |author=Fernandez, Bernard |publisher=The Sweet Science |url=http://www.thesweetscience.com/feature-articles/21925-foreman-fondly-remembers-geezers-at-caesars |date=January 12, 2016 |access-date=September 3, 2016 |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404160948/http://www.thesweetscience.com/feature-articles/21925-foreman-fondly-remembers-geezers-at-caesars |url-status=live }}</ref>  Čepulis' face was already bleeding in the first round from Foreman's punches, and had to take a [[standing eight count]] early in the second round.<ref name=espn>{{cite web |title=Frazier & Foreman clinch gold |work=ESPN.co.uk |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/onthisday/sport/story/312.html |publisher=[[ESPN]] |access-date=September 3, 2016 |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919205808/http://en.espn.co.uk/onthisday/sport/story/312.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Čepulis, fighting out of [[Lithuania]], was a 29-year-old veteran with a 12-year-long amateur career, having over 220 fights in his record, quite experienced, and 10 years older than Foreman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Rhiannon |date=October 26, 2016 |title=George Foreman wins gold in 1968 heavyweight title match |url=https://andscape.com/features/george-foreman-wins-gold-in-1968-heavyweight-title-match/ |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=Andscape |language=en-US}}</ref>

* Round of 16: defeated [[Lucjan Trela]] (Poland) on points, 4–1
* Quarterfinal: defeated [[Ion Alexe]] (Romania) referee stopped contest, 3rd round
* Semi-final: defeated [[Giorgio Bambini]] (Italy) by a second-round knockout
* Final: defeated [[Jonas Čepulis]] (Soviet Union) referee stopped contest, second round

After winning the gold-medal fight, Foreman walked around the ring carrying a small [[Flag of the United States|U.S. flag]] and bowing to the crowd.<ref name=sweet/><ref name=espn/> Foreman maintained that earning the Olympic gold medal was the achievement he was most proud of in his boxing career, more so than either of his world titles.<ref name="houstonchronicle1"/>

===Highlights===
{{trivia|section|date=March 2025}}
* He won his first amateur fight on January 26, 1967, by a first-round knockout in the Parks Diamond Belt Tournament.<ref name=scooprecord>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxing-scoop.com/show_boxer.php?boxer_ID=3907 |title=George Foreman Amateur Boxing Record |publisher=Boxing-Scoop.com |access-date=September 29, 2012 |archive-date=October 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003004335/http://www.boxing-scoop.com/show_boxer.php?boxer_ID=3907 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* He won the ''[[San Francisco Examiner]]'s'' Golden Gloves Tournament in the Junior Division in February 1967.<ref name=scooprecord/>
* In February 1967, he knocked out Thomas Cook to win the Las Vegas Golden Gloves in the Senior Division.<ref name=scooprecord/>
* In February 1968, he knocked out L.C. Brown to win the'' San Francisco Examiner's'' Senior Title in San Francisco.<ref name=scooprecord/>
* In March 1968, he won the [[United States National Boxing Championships|National Boxing Championships]] heavyweight title in Toledo, Ohio, vs. Henry Crump of Philadelphia in the final.<ref name=scooprecord/>
* He sparred five rounds on two different occasions in  July 1968 with former World Heavyweight Champion [[Sonny Liston]] (Liston sparred in 22-oz custom-made [[Everlast (boxing)|Everlast]] gloves, Foreman later recalled that Liston was "No doubt the scariest human being I've met in the ring, the only man to make me back up consistently".)<ref name=scooprecord/><ref>{{cite web |author1=Danny Gilfillan |title=George Foreman Names 'Strongest Heavyweight' Who Was 'Scariest Human Being' |url=https://boxing-social.com/news/george-foreman-names-strongest-heavyweight/ |website=Boxing Social |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241119134652/https://boxing-social.com/news/george-foreman-names-strongest-heavyweight/ |archive-date=November 19, 2024 |date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On September 21, 1968, he won his second decision over Otis Evans to make the U.S. boxing team for the Mexico City Olympic Games.<ref name=scooprecord/>
* Foreman had a 16–4 amateur boxing record going into the Olympics. He won the Olympic Games Heavyweight Gold Medal after the referee stopped the fight against finalist Jonas Čepulis in the second round. He was trained for the Olympic Games by Robert (Pappy) Gault.<ref name=scooprecord/>
* His amateur record was 22–4 when he turned professional.<ref name="Boxrec" /><ref name=scooprecord/>

==Professional career==
=== Early career ===
Foreman turned professional in 1969 with a three-round [[knockout]] of [[Donald Walheim]] in New York City. He had a total of 13 fights that year, winning all of them (11 by knockout).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lotierzo |first1=Frank |title=Why We Didn't See Foreman – Holmes circa 1975–77 |url=https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/boxing-articles-and-news-2005-videos-results-rankings-and-history/1638-why-we-didnt-see-foreman-holmes-circa-1975-77 |access-date=March 24, 2025 |work=The Sweet Science |date=February 1, 2005}}</ref>

In 1970, Foreman continued his march toward the undisputed heavyweight title, winning all 12 of his bouts (11 by knockout). Among the opponents he defeated were [[Gregorio Peralta]], whom he decisioned at [[Madison Square Garden]], although Peralta showed that Foreman was vulnerable to fast counter-punching mixed with an assertive boxing style. Foreman then defeated [[George Chuvalo]] by technical knockout (TKO) in three rounds. After this win, Foreman defeated Charlie Polite in four rounds and [[Boone Kirkman]] in three. Peralta and Chuvalo were Foreman's first world-level wins. Peralta was the number-10 ranked heavyweight in the world in January 1970 per ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: 1969 – BoxRec |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine's_Annual_Ratings:_1969 |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=boxrec.com}}</ref> while Chuvalo was number seven in the world per their March 1971 issue.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1970 |title=The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: 1970. |access-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225235807/https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1970 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1971, Foreman won seven more fights, winning all of them by knockout, including a rematch with Peralta, whom he defeated by knockout in the 10th and final round in [[Oakland, California]], and a win over Leroy Caldwell, whom he knocked out in the second round. After amassing a record of 32–0 (29 KO), he was ranked as the number-one challenger by the [[World Boxing Association]] and [[World Boxing Council]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Columbia Guide to African American History Since 1939 |date=2006 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=9780231138116 |page=275 }}</ref>

===First reign as heavyweight champion===
====Foreman vs. Frazier====
{{Main|Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman}}

In 1972, still undefeated and with an impressive knockout record, Foreman was set to challenge undefeated and [[Undisputed Champion|undisputed]] World Heavyweight Champion [[Joe Frazier]]. Despite boycotting a title elimination caused by the vacancy resulting from the championship being stripped from [[Muhammad Ali]], Frazier had won the title from [[Jimmy Ellis (boxer)|Jimmy Ellis]] and defended his title four times since, including a 15-round unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Ali in 1971 after Ali had beaten [[Oscar Bonavena]] and [[Jerry Quarry]]. Despite Foreman's superior size and reach, he was not expected to beat Frazier and was a 3:1 underdog going into the fight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=561&more=1 |title=Why I Don't Believe Those Who Say They Picked Foreman Over Frazier |publisher=Eastsideboxing.com |date=January 21, 1973 |access-date=September 29, 2012 |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710164244/http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=561&more=1 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Sunshine Showdown took place on January 22, 1973, in [[Kingston, Jamaica]], with Foreman dominating the fight to win the championship by [[TKO]]. In ABC's rebroadcast, [[Howard Cosell]] made the memorable call, "Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!" Before the fight, Frazier was 29–0 (25 KO) and Foreman was 37–0 (34 KO). Frazier was knocked down six times by Foreman within two rounds (the three-knockdown rule was not in effect for this bout). After the second knockdown, Frazier's balance and mobility were impaired to the extent that he was unable to evade Foreman's combinations. Frazier managed to get to his feet for all six knockdowns, but referee [[Arthur Mercante, Sr.|Arthur Mercante]] eventually called an end to the one-sided bout.<ref name=jamaica-gleaner>{{cite web |title=Frazier vs. Foreman – On the Sunshine Island, January 22, 1973 |first=Rebecca |last=Tortello |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0040.htm |publisher=Jamaica Gleaner |date=January 13, 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202120044/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0040.htm |archive-date=December 2, 2014}}</ref>

====Foreman vs. Roman====
{{Main|George Foreman vs. José Roman}}

Foreman was sometimes characterized by the media as an aloof and antisocial champion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/george-foreman/bio |title=George Foreman Bio |access-date=April 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305135640/http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/George-Foreman/bio |archive-date=March 5, 2010}}</ref> They said he sneered and was rarely available to the press. Foreman later said he was emulating former world champion and occasional sparring partner [[Sonny Liston]]. Foreman defended his title successfully twice during his initial reign as champion. His first defense, in Tokyo, pitted him against [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] Heavyweight Champion [[José Roman (boxer)|José Roman]]. Roman was not regarded as a top contender, but had managed to beat a few decent fighters such as EBU champion Spain Jose Manuel Urtain, and was ranked the number-seven heavyweight in the March 1973 issue of ''The Ring''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1972 |title=The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: 1972 |access-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225235810/https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1972 |url-status=live }}</ref> Foreman won the fight in only two minutes.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087747/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110928154454/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087747/index.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |title=It Takes Two To Tangle |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=September 10, 1973}}</ref>

====Foreman vs. Norton====
{{Main|George Foreman vs. Ken Norton}}

Foreman's next defense was against a much tougher opponent. In 1974, in [[Caracas]], [[Venezuela]], he faced the highly regarded future hall-of-famer [[Ken Norton]] (who was 30–2), a boxer noted for his heavy punch and crossed-armed defense (a style Foreman emulated in his comeback), who had broken the jaw of Muhammad Ali in a points victory a year earlier. Norton had performed well against Ali in their two matches, winning the first on points and narrowly losing the second. (Norton developed a reputation for showing nerves against heavy hitters, largely beginning with this fight.)  After an even first round, Foreman staggered Norton with an uppercut a minute into round two, buckling him into the ropes. Norton did not hit the canvas, but continued on wobbly legs, clearly not having recovered, and shortly he went down a further two times in quick succession, with the referee intervening and stopping the fight.<ref>{{cite news |title =Foreman Punches Norton Out in 2— Champion Puts Challenger on Floor 3 Times |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 27, 1974 |page=III-1}} ("... the champion pounded him to the canvas, forcing the referee to stop the bout at the two-minute mark of the second round.")</ref>

There was considerable controversy after the fight as both fighters ran into unexpected trouble with the Venezuelan government. The fight had been made in Venezuela on the basis that all taxes would be waived. However, a day after the fight, the government renounced the offer.<ref name="CaracasCaper">{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19740330&id=c5keAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jMwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=917,5588549 |title=Caracas Caper: Champ, Challenger Expected to Leave Venezuela |publisher=Daytona Beach Morning Journal |date=March 30, 1974}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19740401&id=p85dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f14NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1858,127000 |title=Norton Returns to U.S.: KO King Foreman Still Waiting for Decision on Taxes |publisher=Observer-Reporter |date=April 1, 1974 |pages=C7 |location=[[Washington, Pennsylvania]]}}</ref> The tax problems led to the fight being dubbed the "Caracas Caper".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sport360.com/article/other/more-sports/171344/on-this-day-march-26-1974-george-foreman-knocks-out-ken-norton-the-caracas-caper |title=On this day: March 26, 1974: George Foreman knocks out Ken Norton 'The Caracas Caper' |publisher=Sport360 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014060507/https://sport360.com/article/other/more-sports/171344/on-this-day-march-26-1974-george-foreman-knocks-out-ken-norton-the-caracas-caper |archive-date=October 14, 2021 |date=March 25, 2016}}</ref><ref name="CaracasCaper"/>

====Foreman vs. Ali====
{{Main|The Rumble in the Jungle}}
[[File:George Foreman 1974.jpg|thumb|upright|A cut to Foreman's right eye on September 18, 1974, postponed the bout for a month]]
[[File:George Foreman and Archie Moore 1974.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Foreman with trainer [[Archie Moore]] on September 10, 1974, on the way to Kinshasa for his fight with [[Muhammad Ali]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Lance |quote=Lance Pugmire is the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''{{'}} former boxing/MMA/Ducks beat |date=June 4, 2016 |title=Underestimating Muhammad Ali was the mistake of a lifetime, George Foreman says |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-muhammad-ali-george-foreman-friendship-20160604-snap-story.html |access-date=March 22, 2025 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
Foreman's next title defense, on October 30, 1974, in [[Kinshasa]], [[Zaire]], against [[Muhammad Ali]], was historic. The bout, promoted as "[[The Rumble in the Jungle]]", exceeded even its wildest expectations.<ref name="WBA1"/> During training there in mid-September Foreman suffered a cut above his eye, forcing postponement of the match for a month. The injury affected his training regimen, as it meant he could not spar in the build-up to the fight and risk the cut's being reopened. He later commented: "That was the best thing that happened to Ali when we were in Africa—the fact that I had to get ready for the fight without being able to box."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1090594/4/index.htm |publisher=CNN |title=Video |date=December 15, 1975 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115202805/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1090594/4/index.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2010}}</ref> Ali used this time to tour Zaire, endearing himself to the public, while taunting Foreman at every opportunity.<ref>{{cite web |title=50 years since epic Rumble in the Jungle |url=https://apimagesblog.com/historical/2024/10/16/50-years-since-epic-rumble-in-the-jungle |website=AP Photos |access-date=March 27, 2025 |date=October 25, 2024}}</ref> Foreman was favored, having crushed undefeated heavyweight champion [[Joe Frazier]] and toppled formidable challenger [[Ken Norton]] both within two rounds.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barton |first1=Jamie |title=Rumble in the Jungle: The fight that defined a decade, 50 years on |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/30/sport/rumble-in-the-jungle-50-years-on-spt-intl/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en |date=October 30, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Foreman tira golpe a clay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Ali doing the "[[rope-a-dope]]" to avoid Foreman's formidable power]]
When Foreman and Ali finally met in the ring, Ali began more aggressively than expected, outscoring Foreman with superior punching speed. In the second round, Ali retreated to the ropes, shielding his head and hitting Foreman in the face at every opportunity. Foreman dug vicious body punches into Ali's sides; however, Foreman was unable to land many big punches to Ali's head. The ring ropes were unusually loose, and Foreman later charged that [[Angelo Dundee]] (Ali's longtime trainer) had loosened them as part of Ali's tactic to lean back and away from the wild swings before [[clinch fighting|clinching]] Foreman behind the head; Dundee stated that not only did he tighten the ropes because they were so loose due to the heat, Ali came up with the "rope-a-dope" strategy entirely on his own.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/oct/30/from-the-vault-poetry-rumble-in-jungle |title=From the Vault: The poetry of the Rumble in the Jungle |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=October 30, 2012}}</ref> Ali had been known as a fighter of speed and movement, but the [[rope-a-dope]] technique worked exactly to plan, since Foreman had not had a fight that lasted past the fourth round since 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/insider/extras/2015/10/30/muhammad-ali-george-foreman-rumble-jungle/74872666/|title=Flashback: Ali, Foreman 'Rumble in the Jungle'|first=Jeff|last=Faughender|website=The Courier-Journal}}</ref>

Ali continued to take heavy punishment to the body in exchange for the opportunity to land a hard jolt to Foreman's head. Ali later said he was "out on his feet" twice during the bout. As Foreman began to tire, his punches began to lose power and became increasingly wild. By mid-bout an increasingly confident Ali began to taunt the exhausted champion relentlessly, who had been reduced to mere pawing and landing harmless rubber-armed blows. Late in the eighth round Ali came off the ropes with a series of successively harder and more accurate right hooks to the side and back of Foreman's head, leaving him dazed and careening backwards. After a lightning two-punch flurry squared him up, Ali ended the bout with a combination of solid left hook and straight right flush to the jaw that sent Foreman windmilling hard to the canvas,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUrZp-rWOgU |title=Ali vs Foreman Round 8 Knockout |date=August 30, 2012 |last=GundamIndex |access-date=March 22, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref> the first time he had been down in his career. At the stoppage, Ali led on all three scorecards by 68–66, 70–67, and 69–66.<ref name="WBA1">{{cite web |last1=Cova |first1=Jesús |title=8 years after Ali's death |url=https://www.wbaboxing.com/boxing-news/8-years-after-alis-death |publisher=World Boxing Association |access-date=March 27, 2025 |date=June 3, 2024}}</ref>

Foreman later reflected, "it just wasn't my night".<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1974 |title=Ex-Champ Makes An Appearance |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-news-ex-champ-makes-an-appearance/148782164/ |access-date=June 5, 2024 |work=[[The Sun News]] |pages=7–A |agency=[[United Press International]] |archive-date=June 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605231601/https://www.newspapers.com/image/822804738 |url-status=live }}</ref> Foreman later also claimed he was drugged by his trainer prior to the bout.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2878507 |title=Foreman claims he was drugged before loss to Ali – boxing |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=May 22, 2007 |access-date=September 29, 2012}}</ref> Though he sought a rematch with Ali, he was unable to secure one. In some quarters it was suggested Ali was ducking him,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=7566&more=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060722004933/http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=7566&more=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2006 |date=July 11, 2006 |author=Green, Barry |title=Tuesday Night Fight Talk: Did Ali duck Foreman rematch? |work=East Side Boxing}}</ref> while taking on low-risk opponents such as [[Chuck Wepner]], [[Richard Dunn (boxer)|Richard Dunn]], [[Jean Pierre Coopman]], and [[Alfredo Evangelista]]. However, Ali also fought formidable opponents, such as [[Ron Lyle]], and accepted rematches with Frazier and [[Ken Norton]], the only two men to have beaten him up until that time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad Ali |url=https://fightfax.com/profiles/muhammad-ali-991103 |website=fightfax.com |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

===Return to the ring===
==== Foreman vs. Five ====
Foreman announced an exhibition match in 1975, billed as Foreman vs Five, where he would fight five contenders in one night. Following his first loss to Muhammad Ali and a subsequent year-long hiatus, the event was meant to re-spark interest in Foreman and showcase his strength and ability to knockout opponents. The first criticisms came as the opponents Foreman was fighting were revealed to be journeymen with sub-par or inexperienced records. This energy transferred over to the night of the event as Foreman was met with boos from the crowd as well as antagonistic chants of "Ali! Ali! Ali" as he made his appearance and walked out to the ring. While in the ring, Foreman began to verbally spar with Ali, who was commentating ring-side with [[Howard Cosell]]. After knocking-out opponents, Foreman would walk over to his corner and begin to taunt Ali, to which Ali responded by yelling advice to Foreman's opponents mid-fight.<ref name="Deadspin1"/> Foreman was met with jeers all throughout the night as the crowd grew increasingly displeased at Foreman's defeats of his first three opponents, all by knockout. After the initial victories, Foreman, now completely enraged and exhausted, was unable to beat his last two opponents, who were met with cheers and applause for lasting against the former champion. The event was initially meant to bolster support for Foreman's comeback, though the public was now even more unsure of his abilities.<ref name="Deadspin1">{{cite news |last1=Howard |first1=Greg |title=The Night A Heartbroken George Foreman Boxed Five Men In One Hour |url=https://deadspin.com/the-night-a-heartbroken-george-foreman-boxed-five-men-i-1680038703/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=Deadspin |date=January 16, 2015}}</ref>

==== Foreman vs. Lyle ====
{{main|George Foreman vs. Ron Lyle}}
In 1976, he announced a professional comeback and stated his intention of securing a rematch with Ali. His first opponent was to be [[Ron Lyle]], who had been defeated by Ali in 1975, via an 11th-round TKO. Lyle was the number-five rated heavyweight in the world at the time per the March 1976 issue of ''The Ring''.<ref name="boxrec1975">{{Cite web |url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1975 |title=The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: 1975 |access-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225235809/https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1975 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of the first round, Lyle landed a hard right that sent Foreman staggering across the ring. In the second round, Foreman pounded Lyle against the ropes and might have scored a KO, but the bell rang with a minute still remaining in the round and Lyle survived. In the third, Foreman pressed forward, with Lyle waiting to counter off the ropes. In the fourth, a brutal slugfest erupted. A cluster of power punches from Lyle sent Foreman to the canvas. When Foreman got up, Lyle staggered him again, but just as Foreman seemed finished, he retaliated with a hard right to the side of the head, knocking down Lyle. Lyle beat the count, then landed another brutal combination, knocking Foreman down for the second time. Again, Foreman beat the count. Foreman said later that he had never been hit so hard in a fight and remembered looking down at the canvas and seeing blood. In the fifth round, both fighters continued to ignore defense and traded their hardest punches, looking crude. Each man staggered the other, and each seemed almost out on his feet. Then, as if finally tired, Lyle stopped punching, and Foreman delivered a dozen unanswered blows until Lyle collapsed to the canvas. Lyle remained down, giving Foreman a KO victory. The fight was named by ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' as "The Fight of the Year".<ref name="EP1"/>

==== Foreman vs. Frazier II ====
{{Main|George Foreman vs. Joe Frazier II}}

For his next bout, Foreman chose to face [[Joe Frazier]] in a rematch. Frazier was then the world's number-three heavyweight per ''The Ring''.<ref name="boxrec1975"/> Because of the one-sided Foreman victory in their first fight, and the fact that Frazier had taken a tremendous amount of [[Thrilla in Manila|punishment from Ali in Manila]] a year earlier, few expected him to win. Frazier at this point was 32–3, having lost only to Foreman and Ali twice, and Foreman was 41–1, with his sole defeat at the hands of Ali. However, their rematch began competitively, as Frazier used quick head movements to make Foreman miss with his hardest punches. Frazier was wearing a contact lens for his vision, which was knocked loose during the bout. Unable to mount a significant offense, Frazier was eventually floored twice by Foreman in the fifth round and the fight was stopped. Next, Foreman knocked out [[Scott LeDoux]] in three rounds and prospect John Dino Denis in four to finish the year.<ref name="EP1">{{cite book |title=Greatest Sports Heroes of All Times |date=August 2006 |publisher=Encouragement Press |isbn=9781933766096 |page=76 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Foreman Inks with ABC's Growing Black TV Family |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8kIDAAAAMBAJ&dq=John+Dino+Denis+george+foreman+four+rounds&pg=PA61 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=Jet |date=November 4, 1976 |page=61}}</ref>

==== Foreman vs. Young ====
{{main|George Foreman vs. Jimmy Young}}
Foreman had a life-changing year in 1977. After knocking out Pedro Agosto in four rounds at [[Pensacola, Florida]], Foreman flew to [[Puerto Rico]] a day before his next fight without giving himself time to acclimatize. His opponent was the skilled boxer [[Jimmy Young (boxer)|Jimmy Young]], who had beaten Ron Lyle and lost a very controversial decision to Muhammad Ali the previous year. Foreman fought cautiously early on, allowing Young to settle into the fight. Young constantly complained about Foreman pushing him, for which Foreman eventually had a point deducted by the referee, although Young was never warned for his persistent holding. Foreman badly hurt Young in round seven, but was unable to land a finishing blow. Foreman tired during the second half of the fight and suffered a knockdown in round twelve before losing by unanimous decision. Referee Waldemar Schmidt had it 118–111, judge Cesar Ramos scored it 116–112, and judge Ismael Wiso Fernandez scored it 115–114, all to Young.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/jimmy-young-george-foreman/71978 |title=40 Years Ago Today: Jimmy Young-George Foreman – "He Beat the Devil Out of Me!" — Boxing News |date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125074421/https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/jimmy-young-george-foreman/71978 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Retirement===
Foreman became ill in his dressing room after his bout versus Young. He was suffering from exhaustion and [[heat stroke]] and stated he had a [[near-death experience]]. He spoke of being in a hellish, frightening place of nothingness and despair, and felt that he was in the midst of death. Though not yet religious, he began to plead with God to help him. He explained that he sensed God asking him to change his life and ways whereupon he said, "I don't care if this is death&nbsp;– I still believe there is a God!"<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KAV1XUwWzA&feature=youtu.be |title=George Foreman's Rise, Fall & Greatest Comeback—The Story You Never Knew |date=March 22, 2025 |last=Celebrity What If |access-date=March 22, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pivotpointpublishing.com/index.php/volume-1-issue-2/george-foreman |title=The Knock Out Punch That Changed His Life |access-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125074454/http://pivotpointpublishing.com/index.php/volume-1-issue-2/george-foreman |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

After this experience, Foreman became a [[Born again|born-again Christian]], dedicating his life for the next decade to God. Although he did not formally retire from boxing, Foreman stopped fighting and became an ordained minister, initially preaching on street corners before becoming the minister of the [[Church of the Lord Jesus Christ]] in Houston<ref>{{cite web |url=https://texasarchive.org/2017_00606 |title=George Foreman and the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ (1980) |website=Texas Archive of the Moving Image |access-date=November 12, 2019}}</ref> and devoting himself to his family and his congregation. He also opened a youth center<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.georgeforeman.com/youthcenter.html |title=George Foreman Youth Center, Houston |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609073250/http://www.georgeforeman.com/youthcenter.html |archive-date=June 9, 2007}}</ref> that bears his name. Foreman continued to speak about his experience on Christian television broadcasts such as ''[[The 700 Club]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=George Foreman: Faith From the Fist |url=https://cbn.com/article/not-selected/george-foreman-faith-fist |website=CBN |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Praise the Lord |url=https://www.tbn.org/sites/default/files/0903%20Mar%20Newsletter.pdf |website=tbn.org |access-date=March 27, 2025 |date=March 2009}}</ref>

===Comeback===
{{main|George Foreman vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi}}
In 1987, after 10 years away from the ring, Foreman surprised the boxing world by announcing a comeback at the age of 38. In his autobiography, he wrote that his primary motive was to raise money to fund the youth center he had created, which had required much of the money he had earned in the initial phase of his career. Another stated ambition was to fight [[Mike Tyson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://coxscorner.tripod.com/foreman_tyson_fl.html |title=Why We Never Saw Foreman-Tyson |website=Coxscorner.tripod.com |access-date=February 25, 2016 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628231457/http://coxscorner.tripod.com/foreman_tyson_fl.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> For his first fight, he went to [[Sacramento, California]], where he beat [[Journeyman (boxing)|journeyman]] [[Steve Zouski]] by a knockout in four rounds. Foreman weighed {{convert|267|lb|abbr=on}} for the fight and looked badly out of shape. Although many thought his decision to return to the ring was a mistake, Foreman countered that he had returned to prove that age was not a barrier to people achieving their goals (as he said later, he wanted to show that age 40 is not a "death sentence"). He won four more bouts that year, gradually slimming down and improving his fitness. In 1988, he won nine times, including a seventh-round knockout of former Light Heavyweight and [[Cruiserweight (boxing)|Cruiserweight]] Champion [[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]] when referee [[Carlos Padilla Jr.]] stopped the fight.<ref name="WP1">{{cite web |last1=staff |title=QAWI QUITS IN 7TH AGAINST FOREMAN |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/03/20/qawi-quits-in-7th-against-foreman/7fd54bc9-fd46-43ab-a78a-a7e211fb0693/ |website=washingtonpost.com |access-date=August 27, 2023}}</ref>

Having always been a deliberate fighter, Foreman had not lost much mobility in the ring since his first retirement, although he found keeping his balance harder after throwing big punches and could no longer throw rapid combinations. He was still capable of landing heavy single blows, however. The late-round fatigue that had plagued him in the ring as a young man had improved and he could comfortably compete for 12 rounds. Foreman attributed this to his new, relaxed fighting style<!-- (he spoke of how, earlier in his career, his lack of stamina came from an enormous amount of nervous tension) -->.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lotierzo |first1=Frank |title=George Foreman: A Physical Freak Of Nature |url=https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/articles-of-2004/718-george-foreman-a-physical-freak-of-nature |website=The Sweet Science |access-date=March 27, 2025 |date=June 15, 2004}}</ref>

By 1989, while continuing his comeback, Foreman sold his name and face for the advertising of various products, most notably the successful [[George Foreman Grill]]. His public persona improved considerably, and the formerly aloof, intimidating Foreman was replaced by a cheerful, friendly man who engaged in self-deprecation on [[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson|The Tonight Show]]. He also befriended Ali and as the latter had done, made himself a celebrity outside of boxing.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Severson |first1=Kim |title=George Foreman Turned a Home Grill Into a Culinary Heavyweight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/dining/george-foreman-grill.html |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=New York Times |date=March 22, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=George Foreman, Championship Boxer and Grill Pitchman, Dead at 76 |url=https://people.com/george-foreman-dead-championship-boxer-grill-pitchman-dies-at-76-8599492 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=People.com |date=March 21, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Foreman continued his string of victories, winning five more fights, the most impressive being a three-round win over [[Bert Cooper]], who went on to contest the undisputed heavyweight title against [[Evander Holyfield]].<ref name="boxrec-pro"/>

====Foreman vs. Cooney====
{{Main|George Foreman vs. Gerry Cooney}}
In 1990, Foreman met former title challenger [[Gerry Cooney]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]. Cooney was coming off a long period of inactivity, but was well regarded for his punching power.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Springer |first1=Steve |title=Boxing : Believe It or Not, Foreman-Cooney Fight Starting to Generate Interest |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-30-sp-254-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=March 27, 2025 |date=September 30, 1989}}</ref> Cooney wobbled Foreman in the first round, but Foreman landed several powerful punches in the second round. Cooney was knocked down twice and Foreman finished with a KO.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berger |first1=Phil |title=Foreman Wins in 2d Round and Sends Cooney Into Retirement |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/16/sports/foreman-wins-in-2d-round-and-sends-cooney-into-retirement.html |work=New York Times |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en |date=January 16, 1990}}</ref> Foreman went on to win four more fights that year.<ref name="fightfax-george">{{cite web |title=George Foreman |url=https://fightfax.com/profiles/george-foreman-991037 |website=fightfax.com |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

===World title challenges===
====Foreman vs. Holyfield====
{{Main|Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman}}

The following year, Foreman was given the opportunity to challenge undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield for the world title in a [[pay-per-view]] boxing event. Very few boxing experts gave the 42-year-old Foreman a chance of winning. Foreman, who weighed in at 257 pounds, began the contest by marching forward, absorbing several of Holyfield's best combinations and occasionally landing a powerful swing of his own. Holyfield proved too tough and agile to knock down and was well ahead on points throughout the fight, but Foreman surprised many by lasting the full 12 rounds, losing his challenge on points, with scores of 116–111, 115–112, and 117–110. Although [[The Ring magazine Round of the Year|''The Ring'' magazine's "Round of the Year"]] was not awarded in 1991,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/171651-past-winners-of-the-rings-year-end-awards |title=Past Winners of The Ring's Year-End Awards |author=The Ring |date=February 24, 2012 |work=[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]] |access-date=September 12, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320110422/http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/171651-past-winners-of-the-rings-year-end-awards |archive-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref> the seventh round, in which Foreman knocked Holyfield off balance before being staggered by a powerful combination, has been called a historic round of boxing and the remarkable high point of the fight.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Luckings |first1=Steve |title=On this day, April 19, 1991: Evander Holyfield fights George Foreman in 'A Battle For The Ages' |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/other-sport/on-this-day-april-19-1991-evander-holyfield-fights-george-foreman-in-a-battle-for-the-ages-1.1007677 |work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |date=April 19, 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gildea |first1=William |title=Holyfield Outlasts Foreman in Fight to Finish |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/04/20/holyfield-outlasts-foreman-in-fight-to-finish/04f14970-6404-4b4e-b989-b8f5b92a579c/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 19, 1991 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20240611230640/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/04/20/holyfield-outlasts-foreman-in-fight-to-finish/04f14970-6404-4b4e-b989-b8f5b92a579c/ |archive-date=June 11, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Carbert |first1=Michael |title=April 19, 1991: Holyfield vs Foreman – The Battle For The Ages! |url=https://www.thefightcity.com/evander-holyfield-vs-george-foreman-muhammad-ali-gerry-cooney-mike-tyson/ |website=The Fight City |date=April 19, 2024}}</ref>

====Foreman vs. Stewart====
{{main|George Foreman vs. Alex Stewart}}

A year later, Foreman fought journeyman [[Alex Stewart (boxer)|Alex Stewart]], who had previously been stopped in the first round by Mike Tyson. Foreman knocked down Stewart twice in the second round, but expended a lot of energy in doing so. He was subsequently tired, and Stewart rebounded. By the end of the 10th and final round, Foreman's face was bloodied and swollen, but the judges awarded him a majority decision win, with scores of 94–94 and 94–93 twice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/4340/6033|access-date=March 22, 2025|title= George Foreman v. Alex Stewart|publisher=BoxRec.com}}</ref>

====Foreman vs. Coetzer====
{{main|George Foreman vs. Pierre Coetzer}}
Foreman returned to the ring in January 1993, defeating South African heavyweight contender [[Pierre Coetzer]] by eighth-round technical knockout. 

====Foreman vs. Morrison====
{{Main|George Foreman vs. Tommy Morrison}}

Foreman received another title shot, although this was for the vacant [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] title. Foreman's opponent was [[Tommy Morrison]], a young prospect known for his punching power. Morrison retreated throughout the fight, refusing to trade toe-to-toe, and sometimes turned his back on Foreman. The strategy paid off and he outboxed Foreman from long range. After 12 rounds, Morrison won a unanimous decision, with two scores of 117–110 and one score of 118–109.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/06/08/morrison-wins-over-foreman-but-not-fans-boxing/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322115831/https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/06/08/morrison-wins-over-foreman-but-not-fans-boxing/ |archive-date=March 22, 2025 |date=June 6, 1993 |title=Morrison Wins Over Foreman, But Not Fans |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref>

In this period, Foreman also starred briefly in the [[sitcom|situation comedy]] ''[[George (1993 TV series)|George]]'' on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].<ref name="sitcom">{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Jennifer M. |title=Remembering George Foreman's Strange, Short-Lived '90s Sitcom |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/george-forman-forgotten-90s-sitcom |website=Men's Journal |access-date=March 27, 2025 |date=March 22, 2025}}</ref> The show, which featured Foreman as a retired boxer, premiered in November 1993, and ran for nine episodes, though ten were made. The show was co-produced by actor and former boxer [[Tony Danza]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/george/cast/201620 |title=George Cast and Details |magazine=[[TV Guide]] |access-date=September 7, 2012 |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729152052/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/george/cast/201620 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Second reign as heavyweight champion===
====Foreman vs. Moorer====
{{Main|Michael Moorer vs. George Foreman}}

In 1994, Foreman again sought to challenge for the world championship after [[Michael Moorer]] had beaten Holyfield for the IBF and WBA titles.<ref>{{cite news |title=SPORTS PEOPLE: BOXING; Foreman-Moorer Bout Is Canceled |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/11/sports/sports-people-boxing-foreman-moorer-bout-is-canceled.html |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=New York Times |date=August 11, 1994 |language=en}}</ref> Having lost his last fight against Morrison, Foreman was unranked and in no position to demand another title shot. His relatively high profile, however, made a title shot against Moorer, 19 years his junior, a lucrative prospect at seemingly little risk for the champion.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Dave |title=Sports of The Times; Can Foreman Try to Rope A Dope, Too? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/03/sports/sports-of-the-times-can-foreman-try-to-rope-a-dope-too.html |website=New York Times |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en |date=November 3, 1994}}</ref>

Foreman's title challenge against Moorer took place on November 5 in [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], with Foreman wearing the same red trunks he had worn in his title loss to Ali 20 years earlier. This time, however, Foreman was a substantial underdog. For nine rounds, Moorer easily outboxed him, hitting and moving away, while Foreman chugged forward, seemingly unable to "pull the trigger" on his punches. Entering the 10th round, Foreman was trailing on all scorecards: two judges had it 88–83 and one had it 86–85, all to Moorer. However, Foreman launched a comeback in the 10th round and hit Moorer with a number of punches. Then, a short right hand caught Moorer on the tip of his chin, gashing open his bottom lip, and he collapsed to the canvas. He lay flat on the canvas as the referee counted him out.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Eskenazi |first1=Gerald |title=BOXING; Foreman Flattens Moorer With Blast From the Past |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/06/sports/boxing-foreman-flattens-moorer-with-blast-from-the-past.html |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=New York Times |date=November 6, 1994 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MATCH: Michael Moorer – George Foreman |url=https://fightfax.com/matches/40b59f49-ceb7-41ec-8fe8-3553fd0e1c8a |website=fightfax.com |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

In an instant, Foreman had regained the title he had lost to Muhammad Ali two decades before. He went back to his corner and knelt in prayer as the arena erupted in cheers. With this historic victory, Foreman broke three records: He became, at age 45, the oldest fighter ever to win a world championship; 20 years after losing his title for the first time, he broke the record for the fighter with the longest interval between his first and second world championships; and he also became the oldest winner of a major title fight.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Groves |first1=Lee |title=George Foreman's KO of Michael Moorer remains special 20 years later |url=http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/362817-george-foremans-ko-of-michael-moorer-remains-special-20-years-later |work=[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]] |date=November 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107210823/http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/362817-george-foremans-ko-of-michael-moorer-remains-special-20-years-later |archive-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref>

====Foreman vs. Schulz====
{{Main|George Foreman vs. Axel Schulz}}
Shortly after the 1994 Moorer fight, Foreman began talking about a potential superfight with Mike Tyson, then the youngest heavyweight champion on record. In 1995, ''The New York Times'' quoted Foreman as stating, "If he doesn't sign with [[Don King#Mike Tyson|Don King]], we'll fight before the end of the year&nbsp;... I can't be bothered having trouble with Don King. Every contract has some complication."<ref>{{cite news |last=Eskenazi |first=Gerald |date=February 15, 1995 |title=The Jewel in Foreman's Crown? Tyson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/15/sports/boxing-the-jewel-in-foreman-s-crown-tyson.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=9 |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=May 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524023713/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/15/sports/boxing-the-jewel-in-foreman-s-crown-tyson.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Tyson signed with King (and by 1998, was suing him for $100&nbsp;million);<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n17_v93/ai_21237706/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708130821/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n17_v93/ai_21237706/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |work=Jet |title=Mike Tyson files $100 million lawsuit against boxing promoter Don King |date=March 23, 1998}}</ref> the bout never materialized.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Matthews |first1=Logan |title=Mike Tyson pays emotional tribute to boxing legend George Foreman |url=https://www.marca.com/en/boxing/2025/03/22/67de8b3122601d445e8b4585.html |website=MARCA |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en |date=March 22, 2025}}</ref>

The WBA demanded that Foreman fight their number-one challenger, who at the time was the competent, but aging, [[Tony Tucker]]. For reasons not clearly known, Foreman refused to fight Tucker and allowed the WBA to strip him of that belt.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 5, 1995 |title=Foreman stripped of WBA title belt |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-foreman-stripped/148782341/ |access-date=June 5, 2024 |pages=D16 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-date=June 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605231601/https://www.newspapers.com/image/832589537/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 22, 1995, Foreman fought midlevel underdog prospect [[Axel Schulz]], of Germany, in defense of his remaining IBF title. Schulz jabbed strongly from long range, and exhibited increasing confidence as the fight progressed. Foreman finished the fight with a swelling over one eye, but was awarded a controversial majority decision, with one judge ruled the fight a draw with a score of 114–114, while the other two had the fight 115–113 in favor of Foreman. The IBF ordered an immediate rematch to be held in Germany; Foreman refused the terms and was stripped of his remaining title, yet continued to be recognized as the [[Lineal championship|Lineal Heavyweight Champion]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-29-sp-18373-story.html |title=Foreman Relinquishes IBF Title |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 29, 1995}}</ref>

===Post-title career===
====Foreman vs. Briggs====
{{Main|George Foreman vs. Crawford Grimsley|George Foreman vs. Lou Savarese|George Foreman vs. Shannon Briggs}}

In 1996, Foreman returned to Tokyo, scoring an easy win over the unrated [[Crawford Grimsley]] by a 12-round decision, with scores of 116–112, 117–111, and 119–109.<ref>{{cite web |title=MATCH: George Foreman – Crawford Grimsley |url=https://fightfax.com/matches/09587e0a-942b-420e-b5a9-412194560578 |website=fightfax.com |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In 1997, he faced contender [[Lou Savarese]], winning a close split decision (113–114, 115–112, and 118–110) in a grueling, competitive encounter.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Timothy W. |title=Foreman Defeats A Tough Savarese |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/27/sports/foreman-defeats-a-tough-savarese.html |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en |date=April 27, 1997}}</ref> Then, yet another opportunity came Foreman's way as the WBC decided to match him against [[Shannon Briggs]] in a 1997 "eliminator bout" for the right to face WBC champion [[Lennox Lewis]]. After 12 rounds, in which Foreman consistently rocked Briggs with power punches, almost everyone at ringside saw Foreman as the clear winner. Like Foreman's fight with Schulz, the decision was highly controversial, but this time the decision went in favor of Foreman's opponent, with Briggs awarded a majority decision. One judge scored the bout 114–114, while the other two judges scored it 117–113 and 116–112 for Briggs. Foreman had fought for the last time, at the age of 48.<ref>{{cite news |first=Timothy W. |last=Smith |title=BOXING; Briggs Wins, Crowd Boos and Foreman Says He Likely Won't Fight Again |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/23/sports/boxing-briggs-wins-crowd-boos-and-foreman-says-he-likely-won-t-fight-again.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 23, 1997 |access-date=January 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Timothy W. |title=BOXING: NOTEBOOK; Lewis Agrees To Fight Briggs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/07/sports/boxing-notebook-lewis-agrees-to-fight-briggs.html|newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en |date=January 7, 1998}}</ref>

===Second retirement===
[[File:George Foreman 2009.jpg|thumbnail|Foreman in 2009]]
Though it was not aired, a travelogue series of the [[Walt Disney Parks and Resorts]] called ''The Walt Disney Magic Hour'', and hosted by Foreman, was supposed to debut as part of [[PAX Network|PAX]]'s debut lineup in 1998.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/pax-net-packs-sked-1117470980/ |title=Pax net packs sked |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 19, 1998 |access-date=September 3, 2013 |archive-date=April 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421094555/http://variety.com/1998/tv/news/pax-net-packs-sked-1117470980/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/flipper-to-resurface-with-pax-net-splash-1117478462/ |title='Flipper' to resurface with Pax Net splash |magazine=Variety |date=July 15, 1998 |access-date=September 3, 2013 |archive-date=April 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421094622/http://variety.com/1998/tv/news/flipper-to-resurface-with-pax-net-splash-1117478462/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Foreman was gracious and philosophical in his loss to Briggs, but announced his "final" retirement shortly afterwards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Springer |first1=Steve |title=Foreman Promoters Launch Protest |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-30-sp-59302-story.html |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 30, 1997}}</ref> However, he did plan a return bout against [[Larry Holmes]] in 1999, scheduled to take place at the Houston [[Astrodome]] on pay-per-view. The fight was to be billed as "The Birthday Bash" due to both fighters' upcoming birthdays.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schuyler Jr. |first1=Ed |title=Foreman vs. Holmes, hot off the grill |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/1998/11/18/foreman-vs-holmes-hot-off/50546016007/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=New Bedford Standard-Times |agency=Associated Press |date=November 17, 1998}}</ref> Foreman was set to make $10&nbsp;million and Holmes was to make $4&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nobles |first1=Charlie |title=BOXING; Holmes Still Sees Dollar Signs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/07/sports/boxing-holmes-still-sees-dollar-signs.html |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=New York Times |date=August 7, 1998 |language=en}}</ref> but negotiations fell through and the fight was canceled.<ref>{{cite news |title=FOREMAN-HOLMES FIGHT KO'D, REPORT SAYS PROMOTER OFFERS HOLMES ALTERNATIVE FIGHT WITH JAMES TONEY, HOLMES' LAWYER SAYS. |url=https://www.mcall.com/1999/01/06/foreman-holmes-fight-kod-report-says-promoter-offers-holmes-alternative-fight-with-james-toney-holmes-lawyer-says/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=The Morning Call |date=January 6, 1999}}</ref> With a continuing affinity for the sport, Foreman became a respected boxing analyst for HBO.<ref name="click2houston">{{cite news |title=Remembering George Foreman: Boxing legend, entrepreneur, and family man |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/03/22/remembering-george-foreman-boxing-legend-entrepreneur-and-family-man/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=[[KPRC-TV]] |date=March 22, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

Foreman said he had no plans to resume his career as a boxer, but then announced in February 2004 that he was training for one more comeback fight to demonstrate that the age of 55, like 40, is not a "death sentence".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adam |first1=Shamim |title=George Foreman, boxing champion turned businessman, dies at 76 |url=https://fortune.com/2025/03/22/george-foreman-heavyweight-boxing-champion-grill-businessman-dies/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=Fortune |agency=Bloomberg |date=March 22, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The bout, against an unspecified opponent (rumored to be [[Trevor Berbick]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stickney Jr. |first1=W.H. |title=Boxing Notebook: Now this is getting old: Foreman vs. Berbick |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Boxing-Notebook-Now-this-is-getting-old-Foreman-1625435.php |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=Houston Chronicle |date=January 2, 2005}}</ref>), never materialized. In a later interview, Foreman credited his wife's influence on his change of plans.<ref>{{cite web |title=George Foreman eyed world title run TEN years after oldest record |url=https://www.worldboxingnews.com/george-foreman-heavyweight-title-decade/ |website=World Boxing News |access-date=March 27, 2025 |date=April 20, 2023}}</ref> He left the sport of boxing after leaving HBO to pursue other opportunities.<ref name="click2houston"/>

==Ministerial career==
[[File:George Foreman 2016.jpg|thumb|Foreman in 2016]]
In his youth, Foreman grew up largely without religion in his life.<ref name="NYT2015"/> His spiritual change and ministry have been well documented.<ref>{{cite web |title=From Knockouts to Religion: George Foreman's Journey of Faith |url=https://ecerkva.com/en/articles/world/1372-from-knockouts-to-new-life-george-foreman-s-journey-of-faith |publisher=eCerкva |access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref> After a boxing match with heavyweight Jimmy Young, Foreman was in the locker room and suddenly felt that he was dying.<ref name="NYT2015"/> Wanting to survive, he prayerfully offered "to devote his boxing prize money to charity" when he heard a voice saying "I don't want your money...I want you."<ref name="NYT2015"/> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported:

{{Blockquote|Then a "giant hand" plucked him into consciousness. Foreman found himself on a locker room table, surrounded by friends and staff members. He felt as if he were physically filled with the presence of a dying Christ. He felt his forehead bleed, punctured by a [[crown of thorns]]; his wrists, he believed, had been pierced by nails of the cross. "I knew that Jesus Christ was coming alive in me," Foreman said. "I ran into the shower and turned on the water and — hallelujah! — I was born again. I kissed everybody in the dressing room and told them I loved them. That happened in March 1977, and I never have been the same again."<ref name="NYT2015"/>}}

Foreman stated that in this crisis experience, he became a [[born-again Christian]].<ref name="NYT2015"/><ref name="Gonzales2015">{{cite web |last1=Gonzales |first1=Carolina |title=George Foreman journey to being a born-again Christian |url=https://www.chron.com/this-forgotten-day-in-houston/article/George-Foreman-journey-to-being-a-born-again-6689364.php |publisher=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date=June 23, 2024 |date=December 10, 2015}}</ref> Following this, HBO boxing commentator [[Larry Merchant]] commented that "There was a transformation from a young, hard character who felt a heavyweight champion should carry himself with menace to a very affectionate personality."<ref name="NYT2015"/> Foreman was welcomed by [[church membership|members]] of The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, a [[Holiness Pentecostal]] church on Lone Oak Road in [[Houston]], where he eventually became the pastor in 1980.<ref name="NYT2015"/> Under his leadership, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ opened the George Foreman Youth and Community Center to minister to children and adolescents in the area.<ref name="NYT2015"/> Foreman declared that "I'm always studying the Bible" and stated that "The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don't know."<ref name="NYT2015"/> Foreman led three [[church service]]s a week, in which he aimed "to reveal something about the Bible that they [his congregation] didn't know".<ref name="NYT2015"/> Foreman opined that "It doesn't matter what you achieve, what you accomplish in this life...The most important thing is to keep your eye on the true prize, and that's serving God."<ref name="Klett2023">{{cite web |last1=Klett |first1=Leah MarieAnn |title=Boxing legend George Foreman says knowing Jesus is more important than fame: 'It doesn't matter what you achieve' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/george-foreman-says-knowing-jesus-is-more-important-than-fame.html |newspaper=[[The Christian Post]] |access-date=June 23, 2024 |language=en |date=April 21, 2023}}</ref>

==Other works==
In 2022, Foreman competed in [[The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 8|season eight]] of ''[[The Masked Singer (American TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' as "Venus Fly Trap". He was eliminated on "Hall of Fame Night" alongside [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]] as "Gopher".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-8-episode-7-recap-george-foreman-clinton-leslie-jordan-1235428603/ |title='The Masked Singer' Reveals Identities of Gopher and Venus Flytrap: Here's Who They Are |date=November 10, 2022 |access-date=March 22, 2025 |archive-date=March 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322023841/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-8-episode-7-recap-george-foreman-clinton-leslie-jordan-1235428603/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Foreman also served as an executive producer on ''[[Big George Foreman]]'', a 2023 [[Christian film industry|Christian film]] based on his sporting and spiritual life.<ref name="Forbes25">{{cite news |last1=Lammers |first1=Tim |title=George Foreman Helped Tell His Life Story In A 2023 Faith-Based Biopic |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2025/03/22/george-foreman-helped-tell-his-life-story-in-a-2023-faith-based-biopic/ |access-date=March 24, 2025 |work=Forbes |date=March 22, 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:GeorgeForemanSept09.jpg|thumb|left|Foreman speaking in Houston in September 2009]]
Foreman was married to Mary Joan Martelly from 1985 until his death. He had four previous marriages&nbsp;— to Adrienne Calhoun from 1971 to 1974, Cynthia Lewis from 1977 to 1979, Sharon Goodson from 1981 to 1982, and Andrea Skeete from 1982 to 1985.<ref>{{cite web |last=Quinn |first=Dave |title=George Foreman: All About His 10 Kids—and Why He Named All of His Sons 'George' |url=https://people.com/sports/george-foreman-10-kids-why-named-his-sons-george/ |date=March 12, 2019 |access-date=November 22, 2021 |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122175829/https://people.com/sports/george-foreman-10-kids-why-named-his-sons-george/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Foreman had 12 children&nbsp;— five sons and seven daughters. His five sons are George Jr.; [[George Foreman III|George III]] ("Monk"); George IV ("Big Wheel"); George V ("Red"); and George VI ("Little Joey"). On his  Web site, Foreman explained, "I named all my sons George Edward Foreman so they would always have something in common. I say to them, 'If one of us goes up, then we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together!{{'"}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.georgeforeman.com/did_you_know |title=Meet George |work=georgeforeman.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027132114/https://www.georgeforeman.com/did_you_know |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As with his father, George III has pursued a career in boxing and entrepreneurship. George IV appeared on the second season of the reality television series ''[[American Grit]]'', where he placed seventh.<ref name="Grit">{{cite web |last1=Kesbeh |first1=Dina |title=George Foreman IV to appear on this season of American Grit |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/humble/news/article/George-Foreman-IV-to-appear-on-this-season-of-11186013.php |website=Chron |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627103240/https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/humble/news/article/George-Foreman-IV-to-appear-on-this-season-of-11186013.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Recap">{{cite web |last1=Hazlett |first1=Ashley |title=Episode Recap: American Grit Season 2 Episode 8: Shady Grady |url=https://www.mudrunguide.com/2017/07/episode-recap-american-grit-season-2-episode-8-shady-grady/ |website=Mud Run Guide |date=July 31, 2017 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref>

His seven daughters are Natalia, Leola, Freeda, Michi, Georgetta, Isabella, and Courtney. Natalia and Leola are from his marriage to Mary Joan Martelly. His daughters from separate relationships are Freeda, Michi, and Georgetta. He adopted a daughter, [[Isabella Brandie Lilja]] (Foreman), in 2009,<ref name="Walsh">{{cite news |last=Walsh |first=S.M. |date=August 31, 2016 |title=George Foreman's 12 Kids: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |work=Heavy.com |url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2016/08/george-foreman-kids-children-family-sons-daughters-wife-married-better-late-than-never-nbc/ |access-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612184502/https://heavy.com/entertainment/2016/08/george-foreman-kids-children-family-sons-daughters-wife-married-better-late-than-never-nbc/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="myheritage.se">{{cite web |title=Isabella Brandie Lilja Foreman – Biografiska sammanfattningar av framstående personer – MyHeritage |url=https://www.myheritage.se/research/collection-10182/biografiska-sammanfattningar-av-framstaende-personer?itemId=2008525&action=showRecord |access-date=July 13, 2018 |website=www.myheritage.se |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713042125/https://www.myheritage.se/research/collection-10182/biografiska-sammanfattningar-av-framstaende-personer?itemId=2008525&action=showRecord |url-status=live }}</ref> and adopted another non-biological daughter named Courtney Isaac (Foreman), in 2012.<ref name="Walsh" /> Freeda had a 5–1 record as a pro boxer, retired in 2001, and died in 2019 at age 42 in an apparent [[suicide]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ray |first=Jordan |date=March 9, 2019 |title=Freeda Foreman, daughter of boxing legend George Foreman, dead at 42, report says |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]] |location=[[Houston]] |url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/celebrities/article/Freeda-Foreman-daughter-of-boxing-legend-George-13676577.php |access-date=March 11, 2019 |archive-date=March 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311031342/https://www.chron.com/entertainment/celebrities/article/Freeda-Foreman-daughter-of-boxing-legend-George-13676577.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Croft |first=Jay |date=March 11, 2019 |title=Freeda Foreman, daughter of former boxer George Foreman, dies at 42 |work=[[CNN]] |publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] |location=[[Atlanta]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/11/us/freeda-foreman-dies-42/index.html |access-date=March 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hautman |first=Nicholas |date=March 11, 2019 |title=George Foreman Shares Emotional Tribute to Daughter Freeda After Her Death at Age 42 |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/george-foreman-pays-tribute-to-daughter-freeda-after-her-death/ |location=New York City |publisher=[[A360media|American Media, Inc.]] |access-date=March 11, 2019 |magazine=[[Us Weekly]] |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329025432/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/george-foreman-pays-tribute-to-daughter-freeda-after-her-death/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Isabella Foreman lives in Sweden, where she has blogged since 2010 under the name of BellaNeutella.<ref>{{cite web |title=ISABELLA LILJA – NOUW |url=https://www.bloggportalen.se/BlogPortal/view/BlogDetails?id=172069 |access-date=March 10, 2019 |website=Bloggportalen |language=sv |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329051751/https://www.bloggportalen.se/BlogPortal/view/BlogDetails?id=172069 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In recognition of Foreman's patriotism and community service, the [[American Legion]] honored him with its James V. Day "Good Guy" Award during its 95th National Convention in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boxer George Foreman receives 'Good Guy' Award |url=https://www.legion.org/publicrelations/217014/boxer-george-foreman-receives-%E2%80%98good-guy%E2%80%99-award |publisher=[[American Legion]]|access-date=January 19, 2017 |archive-date=February 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201235443/https://www.legion.org/publicrelations/217014/boxer-george-foreman-receives-%E2%80%98good-guy%E2%80%99-award |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Death==
Foreman died in a hospital in Houston on March 21, 2025, at age 76.<ref name="Mather">{{cite web |last=Mather |first=Victor |date=March 21, 2025 |title=George Foreman, Ageless Heavyweight Champion, Dies at 76 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/sports/george-foreman-dead.html |work=The New York Times |archive-date=March 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322025005/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/sports/george-foreman-dead.html |access-date=March 21, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

==George Foreman Grill==
{{Main|George Foreman Grill}}
[[File:George foreman grill.jpg|thumb|A George Foreman grill]]
When Foreman came back from retirement, he argued that his success was due to his healthy eating. He was approached by [[Russell Hobbs, Inc|Salton, Inc.]], which was looking for a spokesperson for its fat-reducing grill. {{As of|2009}}, the George Foreman Grill has sold over 100 million units.<ref name="BiographyChannel">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/george-foreman.html |title=George Foreman |publisher=Thebiographychannel.co.uk |date=2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208151432/http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/george-foreman.html |archive-date=December 8, 2009 |access-date=October 14, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Although Foreman never confirmed exactly how much he earned from the endorsement, Salton paid him $138&nbsp;million in 1999 for the right to use his name. Prior to that, he was paid about 40% of the profits on each grill sold (earning him $4.5&nbsp;million a month in payouts at its peak), yielding an estimated total of over $200&nbsp;million just from the endorsement through 2011, substantially more than he earned as a boxer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_51/b3913093.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041216061257/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_51/b3913093.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 16, 2004 |title=George Foreman Grill. |work=[[Business Week]] |access-date=November 3, 2011}}</ref>

==Professional boxing record==
Sources:<ref name="boxrec-pro"/><ref name="fightfax-george"/>
{{Boxing record summary
|ko-wins=68
|ko-losses=1
|dec-wins=8
|dec-losses=4
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Age
!Location
!Notes
|-
|81
|{{no2}}Loss
|76–5
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Shannon Briggs]]
|MD
|12
|[[George Foreman vs. Shannon Briggs|Nov 22, 1997]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1997|11|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Etess Arena]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|80
|{{yes2}}Win
|76–4
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Lou Savarese]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|12
|[[George Foreman vs. Lou Savarese|Apr 26, 1997]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1997|04|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBU heavyweight title}}
|-
|79
|{{yes2}}Win
|75–4
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Crawford Grimsley]]
|UD
|12
|[[George Foreman vs. Crawford Grimsley|Nov 3, 1996]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1996|11|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Tokyo Bay NK Hall|NK Hall]], [[Urayasu]], Japan}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBU heavyweight title;<br />Won vacant [[list of boxing organizations#All List|IBA]] heavyweight title}}
|-
|78
|{{yes2}}Win
|74–4
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Axel Schulz]]
|MD
|12
|[[George Foreman vs. Axel Schulz|Apr 22, 1995]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1995|4|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained IBF heavyweight title;<br />Won vacant [[World Boxing Union|WBU]] heavyweight title}}
|-
|77
|{{yes2}}Win
|73–4
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Michael Moorer]]
|KO
|10 (12), {{small|2:03}}
|[[Michael Moorer vs. George Foreman|Nov 5, 1994]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1994|11|5}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[MGM Grand Garden Arena]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won WBA and IBF heavyweight titles}}
|-
|76
|{{no2}}Loss
|72–4
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Tommy Morrison]]
|UD
|12
|[[George Foreman vs. Tommy Morrison|Jun 7, 1993]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1993|6|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For vacant [[WBO heavyweight champion|WBO heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|75
|{{yes2}}Win
|72–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Pierre Coetzer]]
|TKO
|8 (10), {{small|1:48}}
|[[George Foreman vs. Pierre Coetzer|January 16, 1993]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1993|1|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|74
|{{yes2}}Win
|71–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Alex Stewart (boxer)|Alex Stewart]]
|{{abbr|MD|Majority decision}}
|10
|[[George Foreman vs. Alex Stewart|Apr 11, 1992]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1992|4|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Thomas & Mack Center]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|73
|{{yes2}}Win
|70–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jim Ellis (American football)|Jimmy K. Ellis]]
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|1:36}}
|December 7, 1991
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1991|12|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Reno-Sparks Convention Center|Convention Center]], [[Reno, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|72
|{{no2}}Loss
|69–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Evander Holyfield]]
|UD
|12
|[[Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman|Apr 19, 1991]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1991|4|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For WBA, WBC, and [[list of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|71
|{{yes2}}Win
|69–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Terry Anderson
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|2:59}}
|September 25, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1990|9|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[London Arena]], London, England}}
|
|-
|70
|{{yes2}}Win
|68–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Ken Lakusta
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|1:24}}
|July 31, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1990|7|31}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Northlands AgriCom]], [[Edmonton, Alberta]], Canada}}
|
|-
|69
|{{yes2}}Win
|67–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Adilson Rodrigues]]
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:39}}
|[[Mike Tyson vs. Henry Tillman|Jun 16, 1990]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1990|6|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|68
|{{yes2}}Win
|66–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Mike Jameson
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|2:16}}
|April 17, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1990|4|17}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Caesars Tahoe]], [[Stateline, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|67
|{{yes2}}Win
|65–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Gerry Cooney]]
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|1:57}}
|[[George Foreman vs. Gerry Cooney|Jan 15, 1990]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1990|1|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Boardwalk Hall|Convention Hall]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|66
|{{yes2}}Win
|64–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Everett Martin
|UD
|10
|July 20, 1989
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1989|7|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Tucson Convention Center|Convention Center]], [[Tucson, Arizona]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|65
|{{yes2}}Win
|63–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Bert Cooper]]
|RTD
|2 (10), {{small|3:00}}
|June 1, 1989
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1989|6|1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Maryvale Mall|Pride Pavilion]], [[Phoenix, Arizona]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|64
|{{yes2}}Win
|62–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[J. B. Williamson]]
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|1:37}}
|April 30, 1989
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1989|4|30}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Moody Gardens Hotel Spa, [[Galveston, Texas]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|63
|{{yes2}}Win
|61–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Manoel De Almeida
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|2:14}}
|February 16, 1989
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1989|2|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Atlantis Theater, Orlando, Florida, U.S.}}
|
|-
|62
|{{yes2}}Win
|60–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Mark Young
|TKO
|7 (10), {{small|1:47}}
|January 26, 1989
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1989|1|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Rochester Community War Memorial|Community War Memorial]], [[Rochester, New York]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|61
|{{yes2}}Win
|59–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[David Jaco]]
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|2:03}}
|December 28, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1988|12|28}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Casa Royal Banquet Hall, [[Bakersfield, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|60
|{{yes2}}Win
|58–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Tony Fulilangi]]
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|2:26}}
|October 27, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1988|10|27}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Civic Center, [[Marshall, Texas]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|59
|{{yes2}}Win
|57–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Bobby Hitz
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|2:59}}
|September 10, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1988|09|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[The Palace of Auburn Hills|The Palace]], [[Auburn Hills, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|58
|{{yes2}}Win
|56–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Ladislao Mijangos
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|2:42}}
|August 25, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1988|8|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Lee County Civic Center]], [[Fort Myers, Florida]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|57
|{{yes2}}Win
|55–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Carlos Hernández
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|1:36}}
|June 26, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1988|6|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Tropworld Casino and Entertainment Resort]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|56
|{{yes2}}Win
|54–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Frank Lux
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|2:07}}
|May 21, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1988|5|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Sullivan Arena]], [[Anchorage, Alaska]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|55
|{{yes2}}Win
|53–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Dwight Muhammad Qawi]]
|TKO
|7 (10), {{small|1:51}}
|[[George Foreman vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi|March 19, 1988]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1988|3|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|54
|{{yes2}}Win
|52–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Guido Trane
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|2:39}}
|February 5, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1988|2|5}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Caesars Palace]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|53
|{{yes2}}Win
|51–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Tom Trimm
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|0:45}}
|January 23, 1988
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1988|1|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sheraton Twin Towers, Orlando, Florida, U.S.}}
|
|-
|52
|{{yes2}}Win
|50–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Rocky Sekorski]]
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|2:48}}
|December 18, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1987|12|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Bally's Las Vegas]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|51
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Tim Anderson
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|2:23}}
|November 21, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1987|11|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Eddie Graham Sports Complex]], [[Orlando, Florida]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|50
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Bobby Crabtree
|TKO
|6 (10)
|September 15, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1987|9|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Hitchin' Post, [[Springfield, Missouri]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–2
|style="text-align:left;"|Charles Hostetter
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:01}}
|July 9, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1987|7|9}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|County Coliseum, Oakland, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Steve Zouski]]
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|2:47}}
|March 9, 1987
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1987|3|9}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[ARCO Arena (1985)|ARCO Arena]], [[Sacramento, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|47
|{{no2}}Loss
|45–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jimmy Young (boxer)|Jimmy Young]]
|UD
|12
|[[George Foreman vs. Jimmy Young|March 17, 1977]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1977|3|17}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Roberto Clemente Coliseum]], [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], Puerto Rico}}
|
|-
|46
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–1
|style="text-align:left;"|Pedro Agosto
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|2:34}}
|January 22, 1977
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1977|1|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Pensacola Civic Center|Civic Center]], [[Pensacola, Florida]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–1
|style="text-align:left;"|John "Dino" Denis
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|2:25}}
|October 15, 1976
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1976|10|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Hollywood Sportatorium|Sportatorium]], [[Hollywood, Florida]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Scott LeDoux]]
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|2:58}}
|August 14, 1976
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1976|8|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Utica Memorial Auditorium|Memorial Auditorium]], [[Utica, New York]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Joe Frazier]]
|TKO
|5 (12), {{small|2:26}}
|[[George Foreman vs. Joe Frazier II|Jun 15, 1976]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1976|6|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]], [[Hempstead, New York]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NABF heavyweight title}}
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ron Lyle]]
|KO
|5 (12), {{small|2:28}}
|[[George Foreman vs. Ron Lyle|January 24, 1976]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1976|1|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Caesars Palace]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant NABF heavyweight title}}
|-
|41
|{{no2}}Loss
|40–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[boxing career of Muhammad Ali|Muhammad Ali]]
|KO
|8 (15), {{small|2:58}}
|[[The Rumble in the Jungle|Oct 30, 1974]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1974|10|30}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Stade du 20 Mai]], [[Kinshasa]], Zaire}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ken Norton]]
|TKO
|2 (15), {{small|2:00}}
|[[George Foreman vs. Ken Norton|Mar 26, 1974]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1974|3|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Poliedro de Caracas|Poliedro]], Caracas, Venezuela}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[José Roman (boxer)|José Roman]]
|KO
|1 (15), {{small|2:00}}
|[[George Foreman vs. José Roman|Sep 1, 1973]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1973|9|1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Nippon Budokan]], Tokyo, Japan}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Joe Frazier]]
|TKO
|2 (15), {{small|2:26}}
|[[Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman|Jan 22, 1973]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1973|1|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Independence Park (Jamaica)|National Stadium]], [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[WBA Heavyweight Champion|WBA]], [[WBC Heavyweight Champion|WBC]], and [[list of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Terry Sorrell
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|1:05}}
|October 10, 1972
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1972|10|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Salt Palace (arena)|Salt Palace]], [[Salt Lake City]], Utah, U.S.}}
|
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Miguel Angel Paez
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:29}}
|May 11, 1972
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1972|5|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won Pan American heavyweight title}}
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Ted Gullick
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:28}}
|April 10, 1972
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1972|4|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Clarence Boone
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:55}}
|March 7, 1972
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1972|3|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Beaumont Civic Center|Civic Center]], Beaumont, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Joe Murphy Goodwin
|KO
|2 (10)
|February 29, 1972
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1972|2|29}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Municipal Auditorium, [[Austin, Texas]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Luis Faustino Pires
|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}
|4 (10), {{small|3:00}}
|October 29, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1971|10|29}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, U.S.}}
|
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Ollie Wilson
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:35}}
|October 7, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1971|10|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[San Antonio Municipal Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]], [[San Antonio]], Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Leroy Caldwell
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|1:54}}
|September 21, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1971|9|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Beaumont, Texas]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Vic Scott
|KO
|1 (10)
|September 14, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1971|9|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[El Paso County Coliseum|County Coliseum]], [[El Paso, Texas]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Gregorio Peralta]]
|TKO
|10 (15), {{small|2:52}}
|May 10, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1971|5|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[County Coliseum Arena (Oakland)|County Coliseum Arena]], [[Oakland, California]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[list of NABF champions#Heavyweight|NABF heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Stamford Harris
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:58}}
|April 3, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1971|4|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Playboy Club]], [[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Charlie Boston
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|2:01}}
|February 8, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1971|2|8}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[St. Paul Auditorium]], [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Mel Turnbow
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|2:58}}
|December 18, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|12|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[KeyArena|Center Arena]], Seattle, Washington, U.S.}}
|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Boone Kirkman]]
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|0:41}}
|November 18, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|11|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, U.S.}}
|
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Lou Bailey
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|1:50}}
|November 3, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|11|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|State Fairgrounds International Building, [[Oklahoma City]], Oklahoma, U.S.}}
|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[George Chuvalo]]
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|1:41}}
|August 4, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|8|4}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, U.S.}}
|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Roger Russell
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|2:29}}
|July 20, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|7|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[George Johnson (boxer)|George Johnson]]
|TKO
|7 (10), {{small|1:41}}
|May 16, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|5|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[The Forum (Inglewood)|The Forum]], [[Inglewood, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Aaron Eastling
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|2:24}}
|April 29, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|4|29}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Cleveland Arena]], [[Cleveland]], Ohio, U.S.}}
|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0
|style="text-align:left;"|James J. Woody
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|0:37}}
|April 17, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|4|17}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Felt Forum]], New York City, U.S.}}
|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Rufus Brassell
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|2:42}}
|March 31, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|3|31}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Gregorio Peralta]]
|UD
|10
|February 16, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|2|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, U.S.}}
|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jack O'Halloran]]
|KO
|5 (10), {{small|1:10}}
|January 26, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|1|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, U.S.}}
|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Charley Polite
|KO
|4 (10), {{small|0:44}}
|January 6, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1970|1|6}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Gary Hobo Wiler
|TKO
|1 (10)
|December 18, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|12|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington, U.S.}}
|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Levi Forte
|UD
|10
|December 16, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|12|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Miami Beach Auditorium|Auditorium]], [[Miami Beach, Florida]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Bob Hazelton
|TKO
|1 (6), {{small|1:22}}
|December 6, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|12|6}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[International Hotel (Las Vegas)|International Hotel]], [[Winchester, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Max Martinez
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:35}}
|November 18, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|11|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Leo Peterson
|KO
|4 (8), {{small|1:00}}
|November 5, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|11|5}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Roberto Davila
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|8
|October 31, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|10|31}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, U.S.}}
|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Vernon Clay
|TKO
|2 (6), {{small|0:32}}
|October 7, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|10|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Roy Wallace
|KO
|2 (6), {{small|0:19}}
|September 23, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|9|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Johnny Carroll
|KO
|1 (6), {{small|2:19}}
|September 18, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|9|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Seattle Center Coliseum|Center Coliseum]], [[Seattle]], Washington, U.S.}}
|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Chuck Wepner]]
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|0:54}}
|August 18, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|8|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, U.S.}}
|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Sylvester Dullaire
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical Knockout}}
|1 (6), {{small|2:59}}
|July 14, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|7|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Rosecroft Raceway]], [[Oxon Hill, Maryland]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Fred Askew
|KO
|1 (6), {{small|2:30}}
|July 1, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|7|1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Sam Houston Coliseum]], [[Houston]], Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Donald Walheim]]
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|3 (6), {{small|1:54}}
|June 23, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1969|6|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Madison Square Garden]], New York City, U.S.}}
|
|}

==Exhibition boxing record==
{{Boxing record summary
|draws= 
|ko-wins=3
|ko-losses=
|dec-wins=
|dec-losses=
|nonscore=2
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Age
!Location
!Notes
|-
|5
|{{N/A}}
|3–0 {{small|(2)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Boone Kirkman]]
|{{N/A}}
|3
|April 26, 1975
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1975|04|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Non-scored bout}}<ref name="Guardian2024"/>
|-
|4
|{{N/A}}
|3–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Charlie Polite
|{{N/A}}
|3
|April 26, 1975
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1975|04|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Non-scored bout}}<ref name="Guardian2024"/>
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Terry Daniels
|TKO
|2 (3)
|April 26, 1975
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1975|04|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada}}
|<ref name="Guardian2024"/>
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jerry Judge
|TKO
|2 (3)
|April 26, 1975
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1975|04|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada}}
|<ref name="Guardian2024"/>
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Alonzo Johnson
|TKO
|2 (3)
|April 26, 1975
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1949|01|10|1975|04|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Maple Leaf Gardens]], [[Toronto]], Canada}}
|<ref name="Guardian2024">{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Andy |title=From Ali v Inoki to Mayweather v McGregor: five bizarre boxing bouts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/nov/13/from-ali-v-inoki-to-mayweather-v-mcgregor-five-bizarre-boxing-bouts |access-date=March 24, 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=November 13, 2024}}</ref>
|}

==Titles in boxing==

===Major world titles===
* [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs) (2×)<ref name="bleacherreport">{{cite web |last1=Kasabian |first1=Paul |title=George Foreman Dies at 76; Boxing Legend Won 2 Heavyweight Titles, Olympic Gold Medal |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25174156-george-foreman-dies-76-boxing-legend-won-2-heavyweight-titles-olympic-gold-medal |website=bleacherreport.com |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=en |date=March 21, 2025}}</ref>
* [[list of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)<ref name="bleacherreport"/>
* [[list of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)<ref name="bleacherreport"/>

===''The Ring'' magazine titles===
* [[list of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)<ref name="bleacherreport"/>

===Minor world titles===
* [[World Boxing Union|WBU]] [[heavyweight]] champion (200+&nbsp;lbs)<ref name="bleacherreport"/>
* [[list of boxing organizations#All List|IBA]] heavyweight champion (200+&nbsp;lbs)<ref name="bleacherreport"/>

===Regional/International titles===
* [[list of NABF champions#Heavyweight|NABF heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs) (2×)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Assad |first1=Rick |title=The First Coming of George Foreman: A Retrospective |url=https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-boxing-articles-boxing-news-videos-rankings-and-results/60817-the-first-coming-of-george-foreman-a-retrospective |website=The Sweet Science |access-date=March 28, 2025 |date=October 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Walters |first1=Jacob |title=Legends of Boxing: George Foreman |url=https://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/legends_of_boxing_george_foreman/s1_17391_40260667 |access-date=March 28, 2025 |work=Yardbarker |date=April 20, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
* Pan American heavyweight champion (200+&nbsp;lbs)<ref name="sundaytimes">{{cite news |title=George Foreman obituary: boxer who rumbled with Muhammad Ali |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/george-foreman-death-obituary-r6tw7d6vd |access-date=March 28, 2025 |work=www.thetimes.com |date=March 22, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

===Undisputed titles===
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Heavyweight|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]<ref name="sundaytimes"/>

==Bibliography==
* George Foreman and Cherie Calbom (1996). ''George Foreman's Knock-Out-the-Fat Barbecue and Grilling Cookbook''. {{ISBN|978-0679771494}}.
* George Foreman (2000). ''George Foreman's Big Book of Grilling Barbecue and Rotisserie: More than 75 Recipes for Family and Friends''. {{ISBN|978-0743200929}}.
* George Foreman & Connie Merydith (2000). ''The George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine Cookbook.'' [[Pascoe Publishing]]. {{ISBN|978-1929862030}}.
* George Foreman and Joel Engel (2000). ''By George: The Autobiography of George Foreman''. {{ISBN|978-0743201124}}.
* George Foreman (2003). ''George Foreman's Guide to Life: How to Get Up Off the Canvas When Life Knocks You''. [[Simon & Schuster]]. {{ISBN|9780743224994}}.
* George Foreman (2004). ''Great Grilling Recipes! The Next Grilleration''. Pascoe Publishing. {{ISBN|9781929862412}}.
* George Foreman (2004). ''George Foreman's Indoor Grilling Made Easy: More Than 100 Simple, Healthy Ways to Feed Family and Friends''. Simon & Schuster. {{ISBN|978-0743266741}}.
* George Foreman (2005). ''The George Foreman Next Grilleration G5 Cookbook: Inviting''. Pascoe Publishing. {{ISBN|978-1929862511}}.
* George Foreman and Fran Manushkin (2005). ''Let George Do It!''. [[Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing]] {{ISBN|978-0689878077}}.
* George Foreman and Ken Abraham (2007). ''God in My Corner: A Spiritual Memoir''. [[Thomas Nelson (publisher)|Thomas Nelson]]. ASIN: B00FDYTJS2.

==Filmography==
===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Television appearances and roles
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1975
|''[[The Six Million Dollar Man]]''
|Marcus Grayson
|Episode: "Look Alike"<ref>{{cite journal |title=Foreman Keeping Busy as Actor; Waits to Meet Ali |journal=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |volume=XLVII |number=26 |page=47 |date=March 20, 1975}}</ref>
|-
|1976
|''[[Sanford and Son]]''
|Himself
|Episode: "The Director"<ref name="tvguide">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/george-foreman/credits/3000383118/ |title=George Foreman |work=[[TV Guide]] |access-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614132311/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/george-foreman/credits/3000383118/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1992
|''[[Home Improvement (TV series)|Home Improvement]]''
|Himself
|Episode: "Unchained Malady"<ref name="tvguide"/>
|-
|1993
|''[[George (1993 TV series)|George]]''
|George Foster
|Series on ABC<ref name="sitcom"/>
|-
|2003
|''[[King of the Hill]]''
|Himself (voice role)
|Episode: "Boxing Luanne"<ref name="tvguide"/>
|-
|2013
|''[[Fast N' Loud]]''
|Himself
|Episode: "Cool Customline"<ref>{{cite web |title=Cool Customline |url=https://www.discovery.com/shows/fast-n-loud/episodes/cool-customline |publisher=[[Discovery Channel]] |access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref>
|-
|2016–2018
|''[[Better Late Than Never (TV series)|Better Late Than Never]]''
|Himself
|<ref>{{cite web | last=Andreeva | first=Nellie | title='Better Late Than Never' Reality Series Renewed For Season 2 By NBC | work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]| date=September 22, 2016 | url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/better-late-than-never-reality-series-renewed-season-2-nbc-1201824976/ | access-date=March 22, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Pena | first=Jessica | title=Better Late Than Never: Cancelled; No Season Three for NBC TV Show | website=canceled + renewed TV shows, ratings – TV Series Finale | date=July 16, 2018 | url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/better-late-than-never-cancelled-no-season-three-for-nbc-tv-show/ | access-date=March 22, 2025}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|''[[The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 8|The Masked Singer]]''
|Venus Fly Trap
|Episode: "Hall Of Fame Night"<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Stenzel |first1=Wesley |title=George Foreman, championship boxer and grill mogul, dies at 76 |url=https://ew.com/george-foreman-dead-championship-boxer-grill-spokesperson-11701687 |access-date=March 24, 2025 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 22, 2025}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
* [[List of boxing families]]
* [[List of IBF world champions]]
* [[List of The Ring world champions|List of ''The Ring'' world champions]]
* [[List of undisputed world boxing champions]]
* [[List of WBA world champions]]
* [[List of WBC world champions]]
* [[List of world heavyweight boxing champions]]
* [[Texas Sports Hall of Fame]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{BoxRec|id=000090}}
* [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/george.htm George Foreman profile] at Cyber Boxing Zone
* [http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/foreman.html Boxing Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Foreman_George.html ESPN Classic – Mr. Mean Becomes Mr. Clean]
* [https://www.espn.com/espn/classic/news/story?id=2631626 Boxing's Greatest Fighters: George Foreman – ESPN]
* [http://boxing-scoop.com/show_boxer.php?boxer_ID=3907 George Foreman amateur boxing record]
* {{Team USA Hall of Fame|new_id=george-foreman|old_id=George-Foreman|archive=20230404131500}}
* {{Olympics.com|george-foreman|org_archive=20160920160348}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{IMDb name|id=286040}}
* {{Discogs artist|George Foreman}}
* [https://texasarchive.org/2017_00606 George Foreman and the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ] from the [[Texas Archive of the Moving Image]]
* [https://texasarchive.org/2013_04877 Interview with George Foreman] from the [[Texas Archive of the Moving Image]]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sports}} }}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Amateur boxing titles}}
{{s-before|before=[[Forrest Ward]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States national amateur boxing heavyweight champions|U.S. heavyweight champion]]
|years=1968}}
{{s-after|after=[[Earnie Shavers]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Muhammad Ali]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of NABF champions#Heavyweight|NABF heavyweight champion]]
|years=May 10, 1971 – July 1971<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=Muhammad Ali}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Ken Norton]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=NABF heavyweight champion
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{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Minor world boxing titles}}
{{s-new}}
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{{s-vac|next=[[Corrie Sanders]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=Marcus McIntyre}}
{{s-ttl|title=IBA heavyweight champion
|years=November 3, 1996 – April 1997<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Lou Savarese]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Major world boxing titles}}
{{s-bef|rows=4|before=[[Joe Frazier]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[WBA Heavyweight Champion]]
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{{s-aft|rows=4|after=Muhammad Ali}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[WBC Heavyweight Champion]]
|years=January 22, 1973 – October 30, 1974}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight champion]]
|years=January 22, 1973 – October 30, 1974}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]
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{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Michael Moorer]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=WBA heavyweight champion
|years=[[Michael Moorer vs. George Foreman|November 5, 1994]] – March 5, 1995<br />Stripped}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Bruce Seldon]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight champion]]
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{{s-vac|next=Michael Moorer}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-before|before=Muhammad Ali<br />[[Carlos Monzón]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year#1970s|''The Ring'' Fighter of the Year]]
|years=1973}}
{{s-after|rows=2|after=Muhammad Ali}}
{{s-before|before=Carlos Monzón}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Sugar Ray Robinson Award#1970s|BWAA Fighter of the Year]]
|years=1973}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|[[Bob Foster (boxer)|Bob Foster]] vs.}}<br />[[Chris Finnegan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Fight of the Year#1970s|''The Ring'' Fight of the Year]]<br />{{small|vs. Joe Frazier}}
|years=1973}}
{{s-after|after={{nowrap|George Foreman vs.}}<br />Muhammad Ali}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|Muhammad Ali vs.}}<br />Bob Foster<br />{{small|Round 5}} }}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Round of the Year#1970s|''The Ring'' Round of the Year]]<br />{{small|vs. Joe Frazier}}<br />{{small|Round 2}}
|years=1973}}
{{s-after|after={{nowrap|George Foreman vs.}}<br />Muhammad Ali<br />{{small|Round 8}} }}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|George Foreman vs.}}<br />Joe Frazier}}
{{s-ttl|title=''The Ring'' Fight of the Year<br />{{small|vs. Muhammad Ali}}
|years=1974}}
{{s-after|after=[[Thrilla in Manila|Muhammad Ali vs.<br />Joe Frazier III]]}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|George Foreman vs.}}<br />Joe Frazier<br />{{small|Round 2}} }}
{{s-ttl|title=''The Ring'' Round of the Year<br />{{small|vs. Muhammad Ali}}<br />{{small|Round 8}}
|years=1974}}
{{s-after|after={{nowrap|Muhammad Ali vs.}}<br />Joe Frazier III<br />{{small|Round 12}} }}
{{s-before|before=Muhammad Ali}}
{{s-ttl|title=''The Ring'' Fighter of the Year
|years=1976}}
{{s-after|after=[[Carlos Zárate Serna]]}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|Muhammad Ali vs.}}<br />Joe Frazier III}}
{{s-ttl|title=''The Ring'' Fight of the Year<br />{{small|vs. [[Ron Lyle]]}}
|years=1976}}
{{s-after|after={{nowrap|George Foreman vs.}}<br />[[Jimmy Young (boxer)|Jimmy Young]]}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|Muhammad Ali vs.}}<br />Joe Frazier III<br />{{small|Round 12}} }}
{{s-ttl|title=''The Ring'' Round of the Year<br />{{small|vs. Ron Lyle}}<br />{{small|Rounds 4, 5}}
|years=1976}}
{{s-after|after={{nowrap|George Foreman vs.}}<br />Jimmy Young<br />{{small|Round 12}} }}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|George Foreman vs.}}<br />Ron Lyle}}
{{s-ttl|title=''The Ring'' Fight of the Year<br />{{small|vs. Jimmy Young}}
|years=1977}}
{{s-after|after=[[Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks|Leon Spinks vs.<br />Muhammad Ali]]}}
{{s-before|before={{nowrap|George Foreman vs.}}<br />Ron Lyle<br />{{small|Rounds 4, 5}} }}
{{s-ttl|title=''The Ring'' Round of the Year<br />{{small|vs. Jimmy Young}}<br />{{small|Round 12}}
|years=1977}}
{{s-after|after={{nowrap|Leon Spinks vs.}}<br />Muhammad Ali<br />{{small|Round 15}} }}
{{s-before|before=[[Pernell Whitaker]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Sugar Ray Robinson Award#1990s|BWAA Fighter of the Year]]
|years=1994}}
{{s-after|after=[[Oscar De La Hoya]]}}
{{s-before|before=[[Michael Jordan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Associated Press Athlete of the Year]]
|years=1994}}
{{s-after|after=[[Cal Ripken Jr.]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Heavyweight status}}
{{s-bef|before=Muhammad Ali}}
{{s-ttl|title=Oldest living world champion
|years=June 3, 2016 – March 21, 2025}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Larry Holmes]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{George Foreman}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions Boxing Heavyweight}}
{{Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year navbox}}
{{The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year}}
{{Sugar Ray Robinson Award}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Foreman, George}}
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