Legendary former heavyweight world champion, George Foreman, has sadly passed away at the age of 76.
Already in the past few hours, countless icons of the sport have paid tribute to the late great George Foreman, sharing both touching and hilarious tales of ‘Big George’ from inside and outside the ring.
Yet here’s one story about the legendary former world champion that stands head and shoulders above the rest; one that had Hall of Famer Jim Lampley fighting back tears.
Jim Lampley fights back tears telling George Foreman KO story
Lampley spent 30 years as a play-by-play commentator for HBO World Championship Boxing and had the pleasure of working alongside Foreman prior to his iconic title run in 1994.
Speaking on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani in 2023, an emotional Lampley recalled the night that Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer to claim the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.
“We had become friendly and understood each other working together on that broadcast, but we had done several fights together in the build-up to the Moorer fight… And I had taken the liberty, several times, during crew meals and rehearsals, etc, to say ‘Big guy, what exactly are you going to do to beat Moorer?
“He’s a southpaw, he’s a mover, that he’s a uniquely elusive kind of heavyweight – [Evander] Holyfield couldn’t find him and Holyfield has much better feet than yours – what are you going to do, to reel this guy in and beat him?’
“And George said to me, ‘Jim, you watch, there will come a moment late in the fight when he will come and stand in front of me and let me knock him out.’”
Lampley understandably choked up and fought back tears as he remembered what happened next; arguably one of the greatest knockout wins in heavyweight boxing history.
“Look at the video, he will come and stand in front of me and let me knock him out, how could that happen? It’s right there.
“And as it happens and as the referee is counting him out, I hear George in my head saying ‘You watch, there will come a moment’ – and what comes out of my mouth, as a reflex, is ‘It happened, it happened’… What happened was what he had told me, had happened.”
Lampley, who has called countless history-making championship fights, rightly labeled that moment as the best of his illustrious career: “Definitely my best call, definitely the most appropriate way to button a prize fight that I’ve ever come up in my career.”
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Statement from George Foreman’s family on his passing
Foreman’s passing was announced by members of his family via Instagram, in a statement that will bring a tear to the eye of every boxing fan who was lucky enough to witness ‘Big George’ in action.
“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.
“A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.”
Rest in Peace, George Foreman.