Four legends, four defining legacies. From the raw power of Foreman to the tactical brilliance of Ali, the dominance of Norton, and the relentless pressure of Frazier. This wasn’t just an era — it was the standard for all who followed.
#GeorgeForeman #MuhammadAli #KenNorton #JoeFrazier #HeavyweightBoxing
Legendary promoter Bob Arum has worked with a number of legendary heavyweights throughout his career, including the late, great George Foreman.
The 93-year-old’s first championship promotion was with Muhammad Ali back in 1966, when he defended his heavyweight title against George Chuvalo in Toronto, Canada.
Arum went on to establish Top Rank in 1973, where he has played an instrumental role in promoting over 500 world title bouts across five decades. As well as working alongside Ali, the 93-year-old has promoted fighters such as Foreman, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao to name just a few.
Arum promoted Foreman’s incredible 1994 victory over Michael Moorer, which saw ‘Big’ George become the oldest heavyweight champion in history when he captured the WBA and IBF titles with a tenth round stoppage over the previously unbeaten heavyweight star.
In an interview with Sean Zittel, Arum was asked how he believes the heavyweight icon would have fared against the stars of today, before saying former that former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is the only fighter who comes close to carrying the level of punching power that ‘Big’ George did.
“I think quite well, because I don’t know any heavyweight around who had the ring savvy that he had and the punching power that he possessed. Of heavyweight fighters with punching power, the one that came close was Wilder, but Wilder didn’t have the defensive skills that George had and couldn’t take a punch the way George did.”
Foreman picked up 76 victories throughout his tenure, with 68 of those coming via stoppage. Perhaps one of the most famous wins of his career came in January 1973 when he dropped Joe Frazier six times before knocking him out in the second round of their bout to become the world heavyweight champion for the first time.
Wilder has 43 knockouts from his 43 wins and believes himself to be the biggest puncher the sport has ever seen. After back-to-back losses in Saudi Arabia against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, the 39-year-old is making a low-key comeback this June before one last crack at the top level.
- Toby Morgan
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| Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK |
The former two-time heavyweight champion headlined the some of the most iconic boxing events in his heyday, Foreman sharing the ring with Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali across 81 professional bouts.
One half of 'The Rumble in the Jungle' and an illustrious name in combat sports history, George Foreman passed away on Friday, his family announced on Instagram.
He was 76 years old.
Rest In Peace, George Foreman
"Our hearts are broken," the Foreman family posted Friday evening. "With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones.
"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.A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family."
"We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own."
Foreman was born on Jan. 10, 1949 in Marshall, Texas.
The boxing world mourns the death of George Foreman, who led an inspirational life inside and out of the ring.
The Foreman family has recieved countless messages of support during this time, former Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson sending his condolences for his fallen friend.
"Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten," Tyson said of George Foreman.
"Rest in Peace George Foreman and condolences to his entire family. He did great things inside and outside of the ring. Big George Forever Goated," Jake Paul wrote on 'X'.
"Sad news for me and the boxing world... The last boxing pillar for an unforgettable era has passed away today... May his soul rest in peace, Big George Foreman!" Turki Alalshikh wrote on 'X'.
"RIP To the Nicest human being to ever Lace on a pair of Gloves ‘Big George Foreman’ May the good Lord have you beside him where you deserve to be. You will be Missed," Amanda Serrano wrote.
"I’m totally heartbroken with news of my dear friend of more than 35 years George Foreman passing away," ring announcer Michael Buffer wrote. "I’m finding it difficult to deal with. I’ll collect my thoughts and have more to say soon about a man that I (and so many others) loved and respected."
"Very few times have I felt like I was meeting a cultural icon," Cris Cyborg wrote. "When @GeorgeForeman walked into the room he electrified it. I can imagine him in Heaven doing the same thing."
"I got to know Mr. Foreman a little bit, seeing him at all the boxing matches and I always picked his brain, trying to be an entrepreneur when your career is over. This one hurt man," former NBA star Charles Barkley said of Foreman's pasing on CBS Sports.
"Between Junior Bridgeman, Oliver Miller, it's been a rough week. When that [news] came in, that hurts a lot. He was obviously one of the greatest boxers ever but just a gentleman, a pastor and it hurts plain and simple. My condolences to his family."
"What a GREAT FIGHTER!!!" President Donald Trump wrote of Foreman on Truth Social. "He had, without question, the heaviest and biggest punch in the history of boxing. With the exception of 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!!!
George Foreman had a boxing record of 76-5 (68 KO's), going down as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
- Christopher De Santiago
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| Reuters |
Muhammad Ali's white satin boxing trunks from his epic 'Thrilla in Manila' bout with rival Joe Frazier went up for auction on Thursday and are expected to sell for upwards of $6 million.
Auction house Sotheby's said the trunks from the October 1975 bout in the Philippines, which was won by Ali and marked a brutal finish to perhaps the greatest trilogy in boxing history, will be up for auction until April 12.
The trunks, which feature a black trim at the waistband and black piping running down the side of each leg, are inscribed by Ali's assistant trainer and corner man, Drew "Bundini" Brown and signed by Ali in black Sharpie.
According to Sotheby's, the trunks were auctioned in 1988 from Bundini's storage locker after his death for around $1,000 and have since made their way through the auction market. They were last auctioned in 2012 for just over $150,000.
In the sweltering heat of a Philippine afternoon, the world of boxing witnessed a brutal spectacle as Ali and Frazier fought each other for the third and final time in a clash of wills that etched itself into the annals of sporting history.
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| Reuters |
In what proved to be a frightfully punishing encounter, Ali retained the heavyweight crown when Frazier's trainer would not allow his fighter to answer the bell for the 15th round.
After the most trying fight of his storied career, Ali said it was the closest thing to death that he had ever felt.
In the first of three bouts between the two boxers, Frazier broke Ali's unbeaten record when he knocked him down with a left hook in the 15th round en route to winning by unanimous decision in March 1971.
Ali got revenge when he outpunched Frazier for a unanimous 12-round decision in January 1974, setting the stage for the 'Thrilla in Manila' nearly two years later.
Ali, whose record-setting boxing career, unprecedented flair for showmanship and controversial stands made him one of the best-known figures of the 20th century, died in June 2016 aged 74 of septic shock due to unspecified natural causes.
- Reuters
Boxing Legends! Ken Norton, George Forman, Larry Holmes, Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.
