George Foreman, the renowned and feared heavyweight boxer in two separate careers, has passed away at 76 years old. His family shared the news via Instagram post on Friday evening.

Foreman, a titanic puncher, won the gold medal at the 1968 Olympics by stopping Jonas Čepulis of Lithuania in the final. He won the heavyweight championship twice - first as a fierce 24-year-old and again as a pudgy, yet cagey 45-year-old - in a career that saw him evolve from fearsome menace to beloved public figure.

Foreman first ascended to heavyweight glory in 1973, knocking out Joe Frazier as a heavy underdog. Foreman admitted later to a fear of Frazier, but it wasn’t evident as he delivered a frightening beating on “Smokin’ Joe” that inspired Howard Cosell’s iconic “Down goes Frazier!” call and had Angelo Dundee, Muhammad Ali’s trainer, crying for the referee to stop the fight. 

After six knockdowns, the referee did, and Foreman was the heavyweight champion of the world.

“Big George” extended his undefeated reign to 40-0, at which point he faced off with Ali in Zaire in 1974. Though he was favored, Foreman found himself outdone by Ali’s guile and durability and did not make it out of the eighth round. After punching himself out against Ali's "Rope-A-Dope" tactics, Foreman was punched out by a series of right hands, seemingly beating the count but walking off, defeated both physically and mentally. The loss sent him into a personal tailspin which saw him struggle to regain his former aura.

He returned in 1976 for a violent war against Ron Lyle in his very next bout, trading heavy knockdowns en route to a fifth-round knockout win. Just over a year later, following a loss to Jimmy Young in Puerto Rico, Foreman took his leave from the sport. Foreman reinvented himself as an ordained minister - inspired by spiritual visions he claims to have experienced in the dressing room after the Young fight.

In 1987, ten years after his last bout, he returned – if for no reason other than that his savings had run out.

In his second career, Foreman redefined boxing longevity in ways that are still yet to be replicated. He retained his power and possessed a new sense of calm, such that some debate whether the older version of Foreman was an even tougher out than the younger. He amazed with his chin in a 1991 summit with the younger, fresher Evander Holyfield, walking through immense punishment in a competitive loss.

And in 1994, Foreman achieved his most improbable win of all, a tenth-round knockout of unbeaten heavyweight champion Michael Moorer. At 45 years old, Foreman was thought to be too old to remain competitive, and through the first nine rounds, looked just that. But as he told the story in HBO’s “Legendary Nights” documentary, Foreman was trying to time Moorer with a single knockout blow, and in the tenth round, he did. Jim Lampley’s call of “It happened!” remains quoted to this day and is the title of the broadcaster’s upcoming memoir.

Foreman retired for good in 1997 following a majority decision loss to Shannon Briggs - which most felt he won - but was no less successful away from the ring. He became a highly successful pitchman during the second phase of his career, with his most famous product being The George Foreman Grill, which became a staple in kitchens worldwide. Foreman also starred in commercials for automotive maintenance company Meineke, and even had a short-lived sit-com "George," which ran for one season on ABC between 1993-1994. When not in training camp, Foreman often worked as a broadcast commentator, most prominently for HBO World Championship Boxing.

In later life, Foreman amazed with his lucidity and clarity of thought, unusual among boxers who have endured decades of head trauma. He spoke to BoxingScene contributors as recently as last year, reliving his 1974 destruction of Ken Norton with Eric Raskin in March, and talking through his decision to part with his car collection with Lance Pugmire in July.

Foreman even grew close with Ali, the same man who had derailed his career and life so dramatically in 1974. The two exchanged frequent phone calls, forging a friendship that would extend to their children. 

Foreman married five times, remaining with his fifth wife Mary Joan Martelly until his death. He had 12 children, naming all five boys George.

Foreman, one of six siblings, was raised by his mother Nancy and second father J.D., who Nancy married when Foreman was young. Foreman grew up in Houston, Texas, weathering a tumultuous childhood. He dropped out of high school at 14 years old and joined with a group of friends to become muggers. Foreman turned his life around by joining the Job Corps, a program intended to help adolescents in poverty, traveling to the West Coast and picking up the sport of boxing.

Bob Arum, who promoted many of Foreman’s fights, including his win over Moorer, said in a statement: “George was a great friend to not only myself but to my entire family. We've lost a family member and are absolutely devastated."

Foreman’s lifelong publicist Bill Caplan was grief-stricken at the news. “It’s like losing a brother,” he told Lance Pugmire upon hearing the news.

Jim Lampley, who shared commentary duties with Foreman, alongside Larry Merchant, at HBO Boxing from 1992 until 2004, was likewise heartbroken by the news.

"Tonight I am flooded with tears after learning of the death of my dear friend and broadcast partner George Foreman. I loved him," said Lampley in a statement.

"He was a great fighter and a far, far greater human being. Every great thing that ever happened to him, and there were many extraordinary blessings, was richly deserved.  My thoughts and prayers tonight are with his family and his friends and his congregation.  It’s a massive loss, but I feel blessed and privileged to have known him and spent countless hours in his presence. He’s with Ali now, and they are at peace with each other."

Lance Pugmire contributed reporting.