Promoter Don King paid an emotional tribute to George Foreman, the late former heavyweight champion, who passed away on Friday.
The 93-year-old, who worked with Foreman on one of the most famous events in the history of the sport – Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire, said he’d join ‘Big George’ soon. King has been suffering from health problems and was thought to be gravely ill only a few weeks ago.
His production company denied the reports, which began when one of King’s boxers, Mike Tyson, paid homage to his old mentor.
Posting a video showing him to be in good health, the man with the ‘Only in America’ catchphrase aired his thoughts on the passing of a boxing titan.
“I have just received word that my dear friend George Foreman, the Iron Man, heavyweight champion of the world, has passed,” said King. “The lord giveth and the lord taketh away blessed be the name of the lord.
“George Foreman was a wonderful man, a great imaginative human being, and he believed in himself. Coming from the underprivileged, the downtrodden, the poor and denied made his dreams come true by working dedicatedly and relentlessly toward pursuing that dream to bring it into a living reality.
“He is an inspiration to all the youth that has come behind him and the generations to come that you can be what you want to be if you have faith in god and you work at what you are trying to be, and it will happen for you.
“So I am just happy that I was a part of the dream and that George has left his house here on earth and moved to his home in heaven.”
Alluding to his own mortality, the Thrilla in Manila organizer added, “We will mourn here on earth. I want to celebrate George’s life and the spirit that lives on. George Foreman, keep a light on in the window. I will be there to see you soon.
“I love you, and I love what you represent. The love of the people is the most important. Thank You so much, George, for being George.”
Rest in Peace George Foreman 1949-2025 pic.twitter.com/HxNgDNiW3g
— DonKingProductionsInc (@DonKingPrdctns) March 22, 2025
World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman also referred to Foreman’s belief in an afterlife, stating, “George was not afraid of dying because of his faith in the Almighty.
“He joins Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the Heavens. Most heavyweights, with the exceptions of Schmeling, Dempsey, and Tunney, aren’t blessed with longevity, but they pack at least three lives into one while they are with us.
“George Foreman’s two career spans in boxing will always be remembered with awe and admiration.”
On how Foreman gained the focus to do something with his life, Sulaiman added, “As a troublesome teenager, he sneaked home for a nap. One of his cousins found him, and she told him to sleep on as he’d never amount to anything in life.
“This woke George up and convinced him to make his mark on this world. God now greets him, and he will rest in Eternal Peace.
“Mortality places its heavy hand on all of our shoulders. We can only hope it comes gently. The Austrian artist Gustav Klimt put it this way: ‘I hope death is like being carried to your bedroom when you were a child and falling asleep on the couch during a family party.
‘I hope you can hear the laughter in the next room. The lilies abound.’
He concluded, “Goodbye, Big George and God Speed. Oh Boy, we’re going to miss You!”
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.
