George Foreman Reflected on Legendary ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ Fight with Muhammad Ali in Final Social Media Post
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In one of his final social media posts before his passing, George Foreman shared a heartfelt reflection on his iconic fight with Muhammad Ali, known as the “Rumble in the Jungle.”
The two-time heavyweight boxing champion, who passed away at the age of 76 on March 21, 2025, had celebrated several important anniversaries in the months leading up to his death, including the 50th anniversary of his famous 1974 match with Ali. In October 2024, Foreman shared a nostalgic post on Instagram, featuring a photo of himself with a plate of cake as he fondly looked back on the unforgettable fight.
“Can you believe 50 years ago, the ‘Rumble in the Jungle,’ fighting Muhammad Ali,” the Olympic gold medalist wrote in the caption. “Looking back at the best time of my life — celebrate with me with a slice of cake, as I relive the ‘Rope-a-Dope.'”
The fight, which took place in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), was one of the most famous bouts in boxing history. Foreman, then 25, faced off against the 32-year-old Ali for the heavyweight title. Despite being the favorite, Foreman lost by knockout in the eighth round, with Ali using his now-legendary “rope-a-dope” strategy to wear him down.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(656x656:658x658):format(webp)/George-Foreman-Muhammad-Ali-The-Rumble-in-the-Jungle-032225-03-2117bc237206424582e91e403a6715d6.jpg)
Foreman has spoken about the emotional toll of the loss over the years, revealing that it was one of the most devastating moments of his career. He once told Vogue Man Arabia, “For years afterward I would agonize, ‘How could this happen?’ I lost everything I ever was. It was the most devastating event in my life as an athlete.”
In a conversation with CBS News, Foreman recalled the fight’s turning point. “I thought I would knock him out in one or two rounds,” he said. “But in the third round, I’d hit him and he fell on me and I thought, ‘That’s it.’ And he started screaming, ‘That’s all you got, George, show me something.'” That moment, he said, made him realize he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
After the fight, Foreman and Ali developed a friendship. Foreman retired from boxing in 1977, only to return in 1987 and reclaim the heavyweight title in 1994. He retired again in 1999, but his legacy extended beyond the ring, thanks to the success of the George Foreman Grill, which launched in 1994.
On March 21, 2025, Foreman’s family shared the news of his passing on his official Instagram account, expressing their sorrow: “Our hearts are broken. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.”