Family, dignitaries, and fans gathered at Houston’s Wortham Theatre Centre to honour the extraordinary life of George Foreman, the two-time heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist, and beloved entrepreneur, who passed away on 21 March at age 76, according to AP News.
The memorial service, hosted by Foreman’s family and the City of Houston, celebrated a legacy that transcended boxing, touching realms of faith, business, and philanthropy.
The service featured tributes from Foreman’s son George Foreman IV, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, and former rival Michael Moorer, whom Foreman famously knocked out in 1994 to become the oldest heavyweight champion at 45. Moorer’s presence underscored Foreman’s improbable second act in boxing after a decade-long hiatus.
Mayor Whitmire hailed Foreman as “the face of how great Houston is,” referencing the fighter’s deep roots in the city’s Fifth Ward, where he grew up before rising to global fame. The programme included performances of The Lord’s Prayer by Angelo Ferrari and Precious Lord by the Houston Symphony, reflecting Foreman’s dual identities as a boxer and ordained minister.
Foreman’s journey–from Olympic glory in 1968 to his iconic 1973 victory over Joe Frazier–was punctuated by his seismic loss to Muhammad Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle fight in Zaire. Yet his 1990s comeback, culminating in the Moorer knockout, cemented his status as a symbol of resilience. Beyond boxing, Foreman’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through the George Foreman Grill, a household product that outsold his ring earnings and made him a pop-culture icon.
The memorial also highlighted his philanthropic work, including the George Foreman Youth and Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to his church or foundation, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to faith and service.
With 12 children–five sons all named George Edward Foreman–Foreman’s larger-than-life persona was immortalized in a 2023 biopic.
