Donald Trump remembers George Foreman as 'great fighter' with 'biggest punch' in boxing history
HOUSTON, TEXAS: The sports world was shocked on Friday night, March 21, when George Foreman’s family announced that he had died earlier in the day at the age of 76.
President Donald Trump, a longtime sports enthusiast, paid tribute to the legendary boxer in a Truth Social post on Saturday morning, recalling Foreman’s powerful presence in the ring and his larger-than-life personality.
Donald Trump says George Foreman had 'the heaviest and biggest punch in history of boxing'
Donald Trump reflected on George Foreman’s boxing career, highlighting his unmatched strength and impact on the sport.
“George Foreman is dead. What a GREAT FIGHTER!!!” Trump wrote. "He had, without question, the heaviest and biggest punch in the history of boxing. With the exception of [Muhammad] Ali, when you got hit, you went down."
"He was something really special, but above all, he was a Great Person, with a personality that was bigger than life. I knew him well, and he will be missed. Warmest condolences to his wonderful family!!!" the president concluded.
George Foreman became the oldest world heavyweight champion at age 45
George Foreman first gained international recognition by winning Olympic gold in 1968, defeating Jonas Cepulis of the Soviet Union at the Mexico City Olympics.
His professional career saw him take on some of boxing’s biggest names, including Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
In 1973, Foreman won the heavyweight title by knocking out the previously undefeated Frazier.
He successfully defended his title twice before suffering his first professional loss to Ali in the legendary 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” match in Kinshasa, Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as per the New York Post.
After retiring in 1977, Foreman made a stunning comeback in 1987, declaring, “I want to be champion again. I’ve got a three-year plan. I want to start at the bottom. Train harder than any man in the world. Fight once a month.”
In 1994, at age 45, he defied the odds by defeating Michael Moorer, a boxer 19 years younger, to reclaim the heavyweight title.
Foreman became the oldest world heavyweight champion and remains the second-oldest champion in any weight class.
He retired for good in 1997 at age 48 with a record of 76 wins, including 68 knockouts, and just five losses.
George Foreman’s family remembers him as 'devout preacher' and 'loving father'
George Foreman’s family announced his death on his Instagram, stating that he died “peacefully” in a hospital on March 21.
Roy Foreman, his brother, said the cause of death was not known, according to The New York Times.
“A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose,” read the family’s statement.
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Foreman is survived by his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, whom he married in 1985. He was previously married four times.
He also leaves behind six daughters—Natalie, Leola, Michi, Georgetta, Isabella, and Courtney Foreman—five sons, 15 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
The legend's other daughter, Freeda Foreman, died in 2019.
