George Edward Foreman (January 10, 1949 – March 22, 2025) was an iconic American boxer, entrepreneur, minister, and author. Known as “Big George,” he was a two-time world heavyweight champion and an Olympic gold medalist. His career was significantly shaped by his rivalry with Muhammad Ali, culminating in their legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” fight. Foreman’s professional boxing career reached its first peak when he won the world heavyweight title by defeating Joe Frazier. However, his reign was dramatically cut short when he faced Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), in the historic “Rumble in the Jungle.” Despite being favored to win, Foreman lost to Ali in a stunning knockout. This fight, widely considered one of the greatest sporting events of the century, showcased Ali’s tactical brilliance with his “rope-a-dope” strategy, which exhausted Foreman.
Initially, Foreman harbored intense feelings towards Ali, admitting he “wanted to kill” him in the ring. However, after finding religion, Foreman’s perspective changed dramatically. He developed a deep friendship with Ali, stating that Ali became his most beloved friend ever and he missed him dearly. The Ali-Foreman rivalry not only defined their careers but also left an indelible mark on boxing history. Their fight became the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary “When We Were Kings,” and Foreman even helped an ailing Ali up the steps to receive the award. Foreman’s comeback in the late part of his career and his subsequent reclaiming of the heavyweight title further cemented his legacy in boxing. Throughout his later years, Foreman continued to speak fondly of Ali, revising his opinions and declaring their deep friendship. He passed away on March 22, 2025, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with that of Muhammad Ali, his greatest rival and friend.