George Foreman celebrated “The Best Time of My Life” several months before his death, as he recalled the 1974 “Jungle in the Jungle” epic against Muhammad Ali.
The legendary boxer-turned-entrepreneur celebrated the 50th anniversary of the famous African match by cleaning slices of cake with a huge smirk.
“Fifty years ago, I can believe in the “Rumble of the Jungle” and the “Rumble of the Jungle” where I fight against Muhammad Ali. Look back at the best times of my life. I'll relive the “Rope a Dope” and entice it with me with a slice of cake.” His last social media post.
Two-time world heavyweight champion Foreman passed away Friday at the age of 78, his family said.
“A venerable preacher, devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather, he lived a life characterized by unwavering faith, humility and purpose.” Foreman's family wrote.
Before his boxing career, he was described in his humanitarian work, which won gold at the Olympics and ruled twice on the world stage.
“He lived a life characterized by unwavering faith, humility and purpose,” the family said.
“He was deeply respected – the power, discipline, belief, and protector of his legacy, and struggled tirelessly to maintain his good name for his family.”
The “Big George” smile profile was shared with followers half a century after the battle saw “Rope Adope,” an invention of Ali's famous technique on October 30, 2024.
The matchup held in the Republic of Zaire at the time pitted Ali against Ali, then uncontroversial heavyweight champion Foreman, who was considered one of the biggest sporting events of the century.
Ali, a 4-on-1 loser, surprised boxing fans when he introduced “Rope a Dope.” He is a tactic that was used to secure himself to the ropes, and his enemies tire himself with a non-burden blow before unleashing a rapid fire punch torrent.
Foreman, who can't compete with Ali's fast hands, was knocked in the ring as more than 60,000 people were watching in the arena.
Ali secured the victory with a knockout in the eighth round.
In 1995, Foreman looked back on his fight with Ali on the 30th anniversary of the match, calling his opponent “larger than boxing.”
“I went into the ring with a man who knew something I didn't know. He knew he could lose, I didn't know I could lose,” Foreman said. 60 minutes.
The Texas native said he entered the ring believing he could knock Ali out with his powerful punch.
“I beat him, knocked him against the ropes and he said, 'Yes, what a fight with me,'” Foreman recalled.
“At the end he lays on the rope and I love drugs, I get tired, and that's the invention of the rope.
Foreman admitted to entering the fight thinking he could knock out Ants in each round, but the “maximum” survived each round, exhausting Foreman, leading to knockouts.
“I came down to the canvas, I'm being knocked down. When I said the judgement was over, I said it was over. I had to live with it every year,” Foreman said. “I stood up and bothered me. Even if it killed me, I should have jumped up.
“I should have died before this guy allowed him to win. I had to live with this for so many years,” he added.
Foreman said he “almost lost his heart” due to the humiliation he experienced in the loss.
