In March 2025, the boxing world lost one of its greatest names—George Foreman.
Foreman was a heavyweight champion both in and out of the ring. He transcended his sport partly because of his entrepreneurial spirit, but his dedication to his craft was unyielding and created a lasting legacy.
Initial Run
Foreman first gained notoriety during the 1968 Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal in boxing’s heavyweight competition. He turned pro soon after and ascended quickly, racking up an incredible winning streak that garnered him a championship match against Joe Frazier. The match occurred at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, and “Big George” scored the TKO victory in the second round despite being a 3:1 underdog.
Foreman reeled off two title defenses before meeting Muhammad Ali in the famed Rumble in the Jungle match in Kinshasa, Zaire. After a month of delay, the bout took place on October 30, 1974. Considered one of the most famed fights in boxing history, Ali knocked Foreman off his feet in the eighth round for the first time in his career and scored the KO victory.
After a hiatus of over a year, Foreman returned to the ring in January 1976 and reeled off five more wins before being stopped by Jimmy Young in a match on March 17, 1977. Soon after, Foreman left boxing without formally retiring and became a minister.
The Comeback
While his first run was undoubtedly enough to rank him among the boxing elites for eternity, Foreman wasn’t done. Ten years after his retirement, Foreman returned to the ring and began a pursuit of gold. It took a couple of tries, but the legend accomplished his goal.
On November 5, 1994, Foreman challenged Michael Moorer for his multiple championships. Foreman’s stamina was tested in the bout, but he persevered through the tenth round when he caught the much younger Moorer with a couple of quick shots to the face and put the champ down for the 10-count.
When Foreman won this match, he was 45, making him the oldest fighter ever to capture a boxing title. He still holds this record.
Foreman battled in the ring four more times before hanging up his gloves for good. He finished his career with a record of 76-5, with an incredible 68 of those victories coming by knockout.
Outside the Ring
Along with his exploits in the boxing ring, George Foreman became an inspirational figure in more than one way.
After his first tenure in the ring, Foreman found God and became a minister. He also embarked on a significant weight loss quest that was successful for his health and his bank account. His change in diet attracted Salton Inc., which signed Foreman on as the celebrity imprint on its Lean Mean Grilling Machine. Today, more commonly known as the George Foreman Grill, the fat-draining, dual-sided slotted griller has sold more than 138 million units.
Foreman was also a spokesperson for Meineke and continued to appear in its commercials until his passing. He starred in a short-lived sitcom named “George” and wrote numerous books, including his autobiography and God in My Corner: A Spiritual Memoir, which furthered his religious leanings.
What to Collect
Putting together a collection of George Foreman memorabilia is challenging, as boxing memorabilia is in shorter supply than other sports like baseball and football. However, there are a variety of options to pursue.
- Signed George Foreman Grill—Foreman did much more than lend his name and image to the famed grill. He sold signed models in an online store and often appeared in department stores to promote the healthy kitchen appliance. Several models are available, including a limited edition pink model in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At the same time, parents with cooking ambitions for their kids may have the Play-Doh toy version available at garage sales this summer.
- Art of Sport statue—Foreman was never part of the Starting Lineup brand, which is most familiar to figure collectors. This model, however, is a perfect substitute. The sculpt replicates Foreman’s second run in the ring, nearly replicating when he knocked Michael Moorer flat on his back for his second world championship.
- KO Boxing Video Game—Foreman lent his likeness to a video game series in the early 1990s, with versions available for the NES, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and Sega Game Gear. Unlike Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out, players could compete as the game’s namesake hero. Sealed and graded copies, of course, price much higher.
- Early cards and stickers—Foreman has less than 100 cards for collectors. Because of this, many consider this 1973-74 Panini Campioni Del Sport (Champions of Sport) his rookie card. Others will choose from his Sportscaster oversized cards, released in Finland in the late 1970s, while North American collectors will strive for his first North American piece, which came in the 1983 Topps Olympians release.
Jon Waldman is a Winnipeg-based writer. He has written for Beckett, Go GTS, Canadian Sports Collector, and several other hobby outlets over his two decades in the hobby. His experience also includes two books on sports cards and memorabilia. Connect with Jon on Twitter at @jonwaldman.
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