- George Foreman said he ‘died’ two years before passing away at the age of 76
- His stunning career includes becoming the heavyweight world champion twice
- Boxing legend has the distinction of being the oldest heavyweight champion
George Foreman revealed he ‘died’ in the dressing room ahead of his first retirement from boxing – in a clip that has resurfaced just two years before passing away at the age of 76.
The tragic news of the legendary heavyweight giant’s death was announced by his family on Saturday morning.
Foreman leaves behind a stunning legacy and career during which he fought fellow boxing icon Muhammad Ali in a bout known forever as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’.
Although a young, 25-year-old Foreman lost to Ali via unanimous decision, many of his supporters were left surprised that he decided to retire just three years later following another disappointing bout against Jimmy Young.
The boxing icon revealed that coming back to the dressing room after the loss, he saw Christian crosses on his hands – and from that moment he became a devout Christian and evangelist.
Furthermore, in a resurfaced interview with I AM ATHLETE, Foreman shared his beliefs and experiences about what he saw after the Youngs bout – and more importantly, why he decided to hang up his gloves.
George Foreman revealed he ‘died’ in the dressing room after his loss against Jimmy Young in a resurfaced video just two years before his death
The two-time heavyweight legend has passed away at the age of 76, his family announced on his Instagram page
Earlier, Foreman revealed that Christianity made him hang up his gloves for almost 10 years
‘Things changed for me,’ he said. ‘I definitely died. I had an experience while I was dead and alive again.
‘[It] changed everything and give you another chance to live and I really appreciated and understood that the greatest invention of all time were human beings and never wanted to hurt any again.
‘Went back to boxing, never [threw] a punch in anger.’
Initially, Foreman justified his reasons for retirement as a lost enjoyment for fighting, despite claiming the WBC heavyweight belt just four years earlier.
However, his dismal defeats against Ali and Young significantly impacted his decision.
After almost ten years outside the ring, Foreman made a decision to return in 1987 in order to raise funds for his youth centre that was struggling with major financial issues.
When quizzed whether he felt dead mentally or physically in the dressing room, Foreman confidently continued: ‘Dead. I went back into the dressing room after a boxing match, trying to cool off.
‘Next thing I was fighting for my life. I’d heard about athletes dying after sporting events, so this can’t happen to me.
However, the boxing icon came out of retirement and KO’d Michael Moorer for his second heavyweight crown
His last Instagram post marked the 30th anniversary of his comeback victory against Michael Moorer
Foreman’s career was also marked by a spectacular bout against Muhammad Ali in 1974 – branded as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’
‘I walked and walked and finally I lost the battle. I was dead. Deep dark place over my head, under me, around me and the smell of death – I haven’t forgottten it yet.’
The American heavyweight legend marked his return to the ring with a spectacular round four knockout win over Steve Zouski.
A significantly heavier Foreman – weighing approximately 267lbs (121 kg) – made another attempt to claim the world title until he finally achieved it in 1994.
His bout against Michael Moorer, branded as ‘One for the Ages’, is still well-remembered among boxing fans due to the veteran’s stunning comeback after his opponent dominated him for nine rounds.
At the age of 45, Foreman became the oldest man to win the heavyweight title after previously failing to clinch it against Tommy Morrison.
