Houston mourns the loss of George Foreman, the legendary boxer, entrepreneur, and community leader, who passed away at 76. Raised in Fifth Ward, his impact on boxing and Houston remains unmatched.
Houston bids farewell to one of its most cherished figures. George Foreman, a two-time heavyweight boxing champion, Olympic gold medalist, and cherished community leader, passed away at the age of 76, his family announced on Friday.
In the vibrant streets of Houston’s Fifth Ward, Foreman emerged as the fifth of seven siblings, nurtured by the unwavering strength of a single mother. His journey began at Wheatley High School, but he soon left that path behind to join the Job Corps. There, he discovered boxing, a choice that would alter the course of his life in ways he could never have imagined.
Foreman’s path from the streets of Houston to the pinnacle of the boxing realm was genuinely remarkable. In 1968, he achieved the pinnacle of athletic success by winning Olympic gold, and in 1973, he solidified his legacy by claiming the heavyweight championship after a fierce battle against Joe Frazier. The legendary clash with Muhammad Ali during the 1974 ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ stands as one of the most iconic bouts in history.
In addition to his boxing career, Foreman embraced his faith and committed himself to humanitarian work, pouring his energy into community initiatives in Houston. After a decade from the spotlight, he stunned everyone by returning to the ring at 38.
In 1994, at 45, he etched his name in history by overcoming Michael Moorer to regain the heavyweight title, thus becoming the oldest champion in the annals of boxing.
From the George Foreman Youth Center to the iconic Foreman Grill, his impact reached well beyond the confines of the boxing ring. Houston will always hold Big George in its heart as a warrior, a guiding force, and an authentic local legend.
The Port of Galveston is charting a bold course for economic expansion with the opening of its fourth cruise terminal this November. With projections of a $177 million financial boost, the island is gearing up for another banner year as a premier cruise hub in North America.
It wasn’t chocolate eggs the tide brought in this Easter weekend—Texas police discovered bundles of cocaine washing ashore on Jamaica Beach, likely dumped from a ship offshore.
Last weekend’s fire at the historic George Ball House has left Galveston residents heartbroken—and reflecting on the city’s long, fiery past. The 168-year-old structure suffered extreme damage, echoing a lesser-known but far more destructive fire in 1885 that destroyed 40 blocks of the East End.