Source: Vinnie Zuffante / Getty George Foreman, a name synonymous with strength, determination, and remarkable reinvention, stands as one of the most iconic and inspiring figures in the world of boxing. While many know him for his fierce fighting career, the world-famous pugilist leveraged his outstanding skills in the ring into a multi-million dollar empire, from winning iconic fights to selling the legendary George Foreman grill, an item that has become an essential cooking tool nationwide. Let’s take a look back at the life and legacy of one of the world’s greatest boxers as we mourn the athlete’s recent passing. Early Life: A Hard Beginning Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, George Foreman grew up in a rough neighborhood. His family struggled with poverty, and Foreman often found himself in trouble with the law during his early years. A rebellious teen, Foreman had little direction and was frequently involved in muggings and fights throughout Houston’s Fifth Ward, according to the athlete’s website. His future seemed uncertain, and boxing wasn’t on his radar—until he joined the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps at the age of 15, a vocational program for disadvantaged kids. At the Job Corps, Foreman was introduced to boxing. It didn’t take long for his natural talent to shine. Under the guidance of his counselor and former boxer, Doc Broaddus, Foreman quickly developed into a skilled fighter. His combination of raw power, size, and determination made him a force to be reckoned with. Foreman went on to win a gold medal in boxing at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, cementing his status as one of the most promising young athletes in America. The Rise to Heavyweight Champion Foreman’s transition to professional boxing was swift. By 1969, just one after his Olympic victory, Foreman became a rising star in the heavyweight division. His knockout power was legendary, and he quickly earned a reputation for his brutal fighting style. He bulldozed through opponents with ease, often ending fights in the early rounds. “By 1972, Foreman had a perfect 37-0 record which included 35 knockouts,” the star’s biography stated. In 1972, Foreman fought the reigning heavyweight champion, Joe Frazier, in what would become one of the most dominant performances in boxing history. Foreman defeated Frazier in two rounds, taking the title and announcing himself as one of the greatest boxers of his era. Foreman’s dominance continued as he defended his title successfully, but his biggest challenge would come in 1974 when he faced the legendary Muhammad Ali. The “Rumble in the Jungle” The highly anticipated showdown between Foreman and Ali took place on October 30, 1974, in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Foreman, undefeated and a brutal knockout artist, was heavily favored to win against the older, more experienced Ali. However, what unfolded was one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Ali, employing his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy, absorbed Foreman’s powerful blows while conserving his energy. As the fight progressed, Foreman began to tire from throwing so many punches. In the eighth round, Ali capitalized on Foreman’s exhaustion and knocked him out, claiming the heavyweight title in a stunning victory. “I got in the ring with a man that knew something I didn’t know. He knew he could lose,” Foreman told reporter Lesley Stahl during an interview on 60 Minutes in 1995. “I didn’t know I could lose… I beat him up. I knocked him against the rope. He said, ‘Yep, so what?…’ Finally, he laid on the rope, and I like a dope—got tired. And that’s the invention of the rope-a-dope.” The “Rumble in the Jungle” marked the end of Foreman’s first reign as champion and was a pivotal moment in his career. However, the loss didn’t define him. It set the stage for one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports history. A New Beginning: Reinvention and Redemption After his loss to Ali, Foreman took a long hiatus from boxing, retreating into the world of religion and self-discovery. In 1977, he underwent a dramatic transformation, becoming a born-again Christian. Foreman embraced preaching and even founded a church, dedicating himself to his newfound spiritual path. His religious awakening happened following a brief return to the ring to fight Jimmy Young in Puerto Rico on March 17, 1977, which resulted in a loss. It was in his dressing room after the fight that Foreman had a profound religious experience that changed his life forever. He decided to give up boxing and fully commit to his faith. In 1978, Foreman became an ordained minister and began preaching in his hometown of Houston, Texas. In 1984, he founded the George Foreman Youth and Community Center, a non-denominational facility offering guidance to children who, like he once did, needed direction. Additionally, in 1980, Foreman established The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Life Beyond the Ring: The George Foreman Grill Source: Rune Hellestad – Corbis / Getty While his boxing career was extraordinary, Foreman’s story didn’t end in the ring. In the years following his retirement from boxing, Foreman became a successful businessman, most notably as the face of the George Foreman Grill. The grill, launched in the mid-1990s, became a massive success, selling millions of units worldwide. Foreman’s down-to-earth personality and endorsement of the product made it an instant hit, and the grill became one of the most popular kitchen appliances of its time. Foreman was approached by inventor, Michael Boehm, in the ‘90s about selling the world-famous grill, according to Boehm’s 2016 interview with Entrepreneur. Upon sending the boxer a sell sheet and prototype of the kitchen appliance, initially, Foreman was “skeptical” about selling the product, Boehm revealed. “It wasn’t until Foreman’s wife got involved that they really took it seriously,” he added. Thankfully, things turned around, and Foreman went on to sell over 100 million grills, according to the heavyweight champ’s website. He became a familiar face on television, often seen promoting the device while wearing an apron. The Los Angeles Times noted that after making around $60 million from the original deal, Foreman sold the naming rights back to the company for $137.5 million. He continued to champion the grill’s superiority while also pursuing various other lucrative ventures. By 2022, Forbes estimated his net worth at over $300 million. The wild success of the George Foreman Grill also led to other opportunities outside the ring. The legendary boxer became a longtime spokesperson for Meineke Car Care Centers, helping expand the business to over 1,000 franchises for over a decade. He went on to launch an environmentally safe cleaning product line, an exclusive personal care product line, a prescription shoe designed to prevent amputations in diabetics, and a restaurant franchise called UFood Grille among other business ventures. SEE ALSO: Women’s History Month: 25 Historic No. 1 Songs By Black Women Why Actor Malik Yoba Says He No Longer Identifies As A Black Man