The memorial service for former two-time heavyweight champion “Big” George Foreman is set for Monday, April 14 in his hometown of Houston, Texas.
The service will take place at Wortham Theater Center, located at 501 Texas Ave., beginning at 10:45 a.m. The service is open to the public though tickets, which can be secured free of charge at this link, must be secured in advance due to limited seating and security measures.
Certain portions of the service will be by private invitation only, the family stated on Foreman's Instagram account.
Foreman, a 1968 Olympic gold medalist who won the heavyweight title in 1973 and 1994, died on March 21 at the age of 76. Foreman was a fierce knockout puncher in the ring, having dispatched of Joe Frazier, Ken Norton and Michael Moorer in devastating fashion. Outside the ring, he was a beloved pitchman and public figure, particularly in the second half of his career, when he came back to the ring in the late ‘80s after a decade away from the sport and embarked on the most unlikely march to a second heavyweight championship.
Foreman’s George Foreman Grill was a ubiquitous presence in kitchens from the mid-90s until this day, and his gregarious persona earned him a number of appearances in commercials.
"The service will reflect on Foreman’s contributions as an athlete, a businessman, a man of deep Christian faith, and a mentor to young people across Houston and beyond. It will also honor his legacy of service through initiatives like the George Foreman Youth and Community Center, where he dedicated himself to providing opportunities and hope for others," reads a statement on the memorial's page.
In lieu of flowers, the Foreman family is requesting that donations be made to The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ or The George Foreman Charitable Foundation, which can be reached at P.O. Box 1405, Huffman, Texas.