On Friday the 21st, former boxing champion George Foreman passed away peacefully, he was 76 years old. For those who don’t know his past, George Foreman was one of the greatest boxing champions in American history.
In 1973, Foreman fought Joe Frazier, the undisputed and undefeated champion at the time. The fight went for two rounds, Foreman earned a technical knockout (TKO) to earn the undisputed championship. He would defend and hold this title until January 1974 in his second fight against Muhamaad Ali, in one of the most famous boxing matches in history.
In 1977 Foreman was forced to retire from the sport of boxing after losing a tough match against Jimmy Young. After getting knocked down in the 12th round, Foreman suffered a stroke in his dressing room. After almost dying, he became a born-again Christian and stopped fighting for some time. During that time he became an ordained minister and opened a youth center. He even went on television a few times to speak about his experience.
In 1987, Foreman announced his return to boxing in his autobiography. He would get his chance to fight for the undisputed heavyweight title once again nearly 7 years later in 1994. Foreman went up against Michael Moorer and after ten tumultuous rounds George Foreman became the undisputed heavyweight champion once again. 20 years after he lost to Ali; at 45 years old. He broke two records that night and would thank God after coming all the way back.
However, the story does not end there, because in that same year George Foreman became the face of what we now know as the George Foreman grill. Earning him, at one point, as much as $8 million a month. He did infomercials where he personally promoted the grill, and even ate some of the food coming off of it. Just three years after the grill’s release, it totaled $183 million in sales.
With all of these achievements, George Foreman lived nothing short of a full life. Many people who are looking for a role model or someone to shape their life after, should look to George Foreman. A man of strength, faith, and determination.