Rise to Success: Career Highlights of George Foreman

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how George Foreman made an impact.

George Foreman, nicknamed "Big George", is a two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist, who competed professionally from 1967 to 1997. Beyond boxing, he is a businessman, minister, and author. He is most famously known as the namesake of the George Foreman Grill, which helped to resurrect his public image and financial status after a period of relative obscurity following his initial boxing career. His boxing career is notable for its longevity and for his remarkable comeback in his 40s, becoming one of the oldest heavyweight champions in history.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1968: Olympic Gold Medal Win in Mexico City

In 1968, George Foreman won a gold medal in boxing at the Mexico City Olympic Games, defeating Jonas Čepulis of the Soviet Union in the heavyweight division by a referee-stopped contest in the second round.

1968: Olympic Gold Medal

In 1968, George Foreman won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the Summer Olympics after taking up amateur boxing after a troubled childhood.

1969: Turning Professional

In 1969, George Foreman turned professional and won his first fight against Donald Walheim in New York City by a three-round knockout. He won all 13 of his fights that year, 11 by knockout.

January 1970: Defeating Gregorio Peralta

In January 1970, George Foreman defeated Gregorio Peralta at Madison Square Garden, though Peralta exposed Foreman's vulnerability to fast counter-punching.

March 1971: George Chuvalo ranked number seven in the world

In March 1971, George Chuvalo was ranked number seven in the world per The Ring issue. He was previously defeated by George Foreman by technical knockout (TKO) in three rounds.

1971: Undefeated and Top-Ranked

In 1971, George Foreman won seven more fights, all by knockout, including a rematch with Gregorio Peralta. He finished the year with a record of 32-0 and was ranked number one by the WBA and WBC.

1971: Frazier Defeats Ali

In 1971, Joe Frazier won the title from Jimmy Ellis and defended it four times, including a 15-round unanimous decision over Muhammad Ali.

1971: No Fights Lasting Past the Fourth Round

Since 1971, George Foreman had not had a fight that lasted past the fourth round leading up to his match with Muhammad Ali.

1972: Challenging Joe Frazier

In 1972, George Foreman, still undefeated, prepared to challenge the undefeated World Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier.

January 22, 1973: Winning the World Heavyweight Championship

On January 22, 1973, George Foreman defeated Joe Frazier by TKO in Kingston, Jamaica, to win the World Heavyweight Championship in an event called "The Sunshine Showdown". Frazier was knocked down six times in two rounds.

March 1973: José Roman Ranked Number-Seven Heavyweight

In March 1973, José Roman was ranked as the number-seven heavyweight in The Ring magazine. He later fought Foreman who won the fight in only two minutes.

1973: World Heavyweight Champion

In 1973, George Foreman won the world heavyweight title by defeating Joe Frazier in a second-round knockout.

October 30, 1974: "The Rumble in the Jungle"

On October 30, 1974, George Foreman faced Muhammad Ali in "The Rumble in the Jungle" in Kinshasa, Zaire. Foreman suffered a cut during training and the fight was postponed for a month. Ali won the bout.

1974: Defeating Ken Norton

In 1974, George Foreman defended his title against Ken Norton in Caracas, Venezuela, winning by TKO in the second round.

1974: "The Rumble in the Jungle"

In 1974, George Foreman suffered his first professional loss to Muhammad Ali in "The Rumble in the Jungle."

1975: Foreman vs Five Exhibition Match

In 1975, George Foreman participated in an exhibition match billed as Foreman vs Five. He fought five contenders in one night, with the event intended to reignite interest in Foreman's career after his loss to Muhammad Ali. Foreman won against the first three opponents by knockout, but he was unable to beat his last two opponents.

1975: Ali Defeats Lyle

In 1975, Muhammad Ali defeated Ron Lyle via an 11th-round TKO. Later, George Foreman fought Ron Lyle in 1976.

March 1976: Ron Lyle Ranked Fifth Heavyweight

In March 1976, Ron Lyle was the number-five rated heavyweight in the world, per the March 1976 issue of The Ring magazine. George Foreman fought Lyle in 1976.