To younger generations, George Foreman probably is better known for his television pitches for his eponymous grilling machine than his feats in the boxing ring, which included his destruction of Joe Frazier for the heavyweight crown in 1973, the “Rumble in the Jungle” against Muhammad Ali in 1974 and his remarkable comeback in the early 1990s.
Foreman’s knockout of Michael Moorer at age 45 in 1994 — more than 20 years after he had lost the title to Ali — made him the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
When he retired for good in 1997, Foreman was just getting started as one of America’s great salesmen. The George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine has sold more than 100 units worldwide since it launched in 1994 (in 1999, Salton, Inc. paid Foreman $137.5 million for rights to use his name and image on the product).
While best known in his business career for revolutionizing the grilling of meat, the champ’s commercial endeavors have grown far and wide in the years since to encompass everything from car repair centers, environmentally safe cleaning products, a line of personal care items, a prescription shoe for diabetics, a restaurant franchise and books.
A man of faith, Foreman also founded his own church in 1980, where he continues to preach.
