'Big George' larger than life

TRIBUTE: SHOCKING LOSS TO MUHAMMAD ALI DEFINES LEGENDARY BOXER'S LEGACY

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Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, who lost to Muhammad Ali in boxing's iconic 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" before reclaiming the title two decades later, died on Friday aged 76, his family said. Fondly known as "Big George," Foreman dropped out of school and went on to become an Olympic gold medalist, two-time world champion and legend of boxing.

He fought 81 times as a professional, winning 76, 68 of those by knockout.

As well as boxing he put his name to the "George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine," appearing smiling and friendly in the TV ads, becoming a celebrity outside the sport.

"With profound sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Snr, who peacefully departed on 21 March, surrounded by loved ones," Foreman's family said in a statement on Instagram.

Boxing paid tribute to one of its greats.

"His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten," fellow former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson posted on X.

Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum saluted Foreman as "one of the biggest punchers and personalities the sport has ever seen".

US President Donald Trump paid tribute to a "great fighter" whom he "knew well".

Born in Texas on 10 January, 1949, Foreman grew up in Houston.