George Foreman memorial service: Houston remembers boxing legend
FULL: George Foreman memorial service in Houston
A memorial service is held in Houston to remember the life and legacy of George Foreman.
HOUSTON - Family, friends and the public gathered in Houston on Monday to honor the life and legacy of boxing legend George Foreman.
The memorial service was held at the Wortham Theater Center.
Pastor George Foreman IV delivered the opening prayer. Those who eulogized Foreman included Houston Mayor John Whitmire, boxer Michael Moorer and Dr. James Douglas, among others. The Houston Symphony, the University of Houston choir, Dana Clark Green, Terence Fisher and others performed.
What you can do:
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ or the George Foreman Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 1405, Huffman, TX.
Remembering George Foreman
Heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman dead at 76
George Foreman, the Texas-born, Houston-raised world heavyweight boxing champion, has died, according to his Instagram page. He was 76 years old.
George Foreman, the Texas-born, Houston-raised world heavyweight boxing champion, died at the age of 76 on March 21.
According to an Instagram post, he passed away while surrounded by loved ones.
What they're saying:
"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," the post says. "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."
ARCHIVE (2004): George Foreman on business, boxing career, community work
In 2004, George Foreman spoke with FOX 26's Mark Berman about his involvement with the George Foreman Grill, his boxing career, and his involvement in the Houston community where he grew up.
The backstory:
According to his biography, George Edward Foreman Sr. was born in Marshall, Texas, a little over two hours east of Dallas. He grew up in Houston's Fifth Ward.
By age 15, Foreman had become a "mugger and brawler" in the Fifth Ward. He then went to the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps in California where he met Doc Broaddus, a Job Corps counselor and a boxing coach.
Foreman went on to win gold at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City for heavyweight boxing. It was his 25th fight during his amateur career.
After going pro in 1969, Foreman became the No. 1 challenger by the WBA and WBC within two years. He then became the heavyweight champ in 1973 after knocking out Joe Frazier.
Foreman went on to defend his title twice, beating Puerto Rican heavyweight campion Jose Roman in less than a minute. At the time, it was the shortest heavyweight championship match ever.
He then beat Ken Norten in two rounds.
Foreman then fell to Muhammad Ali after eight rounds in the 1974 "Rumble of the Jungle."
He retired from the ring in 1977, according to Brittanica. Foreman became an ordained minister the following year and started preaching in Houston, but went back in the ring in 1987.
Foreman became a champion in 1994 after a Round 10 knockout against Michael Moorer. At age 45, he became the oldest fighter ever to win the heavyweight title.
He then retired in 1997.
By the end of the 90s, George Foreman Sr. was making millions off of the George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine. He went on to sell over 100 million units worldwide.
The Source: The information in this article comes from the family of George Foreman, George Foreman's Instagram page, GeorgeForeman.com, and Brittanica.