President Trump praises George Foreman as an exceptional boxer, while Magic Johnson applauds him as a formidable ring talent.
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Remembrances flood in for George Foreman, departed at 76 on Friday.
He leaves behind an intricate legacy, embodied by a man who was at once a formidable heavyweight title holder, a fallen boxer who rose to be a champ at 45, a famed grill entrepreneur, and one-third of heavyweight boxing's "divine trio" with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
The tributes poured from the boxing realm, former NBA stars, hip-hop artists, political figures, and sports icons alike, symbolizing Foreman's extensive fame.
Donald Trump, on his Truth Social account, lauded the two-time heavyweight champ and Olympic gold medalist as an "AMAZING FIGHTER." He acknowledged Foreman's legendary punch, claiming, except for Ali, "when you got hit, you went down." He expressed warm condolences towards his family.
Foreman came from an era that saw boxing grip pop culture like no other. An estimated billion people tuned in to watch his 1974 heavyweight title fight against Ali, dubbed the "Rumble in the Jungle."
Mike Tyson, a Hall of Fame boxer, acknowledged that Foreman's influence on boxing and beyond wouldn't be forgotten, posting photos of them together. NBA icon Magic Johnson recalled attending multiple championship fights, cherishing Foreman as a "boxing hero." He fondly remembered purchasing one of the first George Foreman grills.
Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley felt the news like a punch to the gut, expressing his emotions during a heartfelt tribute aired on the men's NCAA basketball tournament. "Rest easy, George Foreman. Your legacy continues, champ," he said.
"My boxing hero," NBA champion Scottie Pippen mourned Foreman, publishing a photo of the boxer on social media. WNBA legend Billie Jean King also took to social media, remembering that Foreman "backed me in the Battle of the Sexes and stood by my side after the match when the crowds stormed the court."
"Foreman's gone but not forgotten," she wrote.
Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy shared a portrait of Foreman, referring to him as one of his "HEROES."
Christian Sierra of CNN also contributed to the reporting.
Boxer George Foreman, known for his exceptional contributions to sport, boxing, and entrepreneurship, was acknowledged as an "Amazing Fighter" by former U.S. President Donald Trump after his passing at 76. Many tributes poured in from various fields, including Muhammed Ali's contemporaries in the boxing world, former NBA stars, hip-hop artists, political figures, and sports icons. It's estimated that an estimated billion people watched the boxer's title fight against Ali in 1974, dubbed the "Rumble in the Jungle."
