A 5th Ward Legend: 20 Iconic Photos of Boxing Great George Foreman

Source: The Ring Magazine / Getty

They say legends live forever, and although Big George is no longer here with us in the physical, his legacy as one of the greatest fighters to ever step in the ring will be remembered for generations to come.

Born in Marshall, Texas. Foreman grew up in a family where he was one of seven children in Houston’s Fifth Ward community. Leaving school for the streets as a teenager, Foreman described those years as troubled in his memoir but those rough times would change after he entered Job Corps at his mother’s request. There, he would earn his GED and become skilled in bricklaying and carpentry. Life would eventually take him to California where he first began training in the world of boxing. Through these humble beginnings, he would go on to become a larger-than-life figure in the sport.

Take a scroll down memory lane as we remember Houston’s very own George Edward Foreman.

1. A 5th Ward Legend

George Foreman walks to his corner after knocking out Scott LeDoux during the fight at the Utica Memorial Auditorium in Utica, New York. George Foreman won by a TKO 3. george foreman

2. We Were Kings

oxers Muhammad Ali and George Foreman were the subjects of the Documentary Feature winner When We Were Kings, produced by David Sonenberg (left). The hold their winning Oscar backstage at the 69th annual Academy Awards. george foreman

3. Love & Life

George Foreman officiates at the baptism of a child at The Church Of The Lord Jesus Christ on Lone Oak Road in Houston, Texas, March 2003. Foreman became a born-again Christian and ordained minister in 1977 george foreman

4. A Legendary Night

Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (L) and titleholder US George Foreman (R) fight on October 30, 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire during their world heavyweight championship match. Ali won by knocking out Foreman in the eighth round. george foreman

5. Dressed to Impress

Close-up of boxer George Foreman in suit. World Heavyweight Champion. george foreman

6. The Champ is Here

George Foreman shows off his championship belt during a training session (ahead of his title fight with Muhammad Ali), October 1974. george foreman

7. Rivals

Kingston, Jamaica: World heavyweight champion Joe Frazier (L) and challenger George Foreman go at a staring match during their weigh-in for the title bout. george foreman

8. Icons of the Sport

Boxing legends Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Mohamed Ali. george foreman

9. Critical Blows

Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (L) and titleholder US George Foreman (R) fight on October 30, 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire during their world heavyweight championship match. Ali won by knocking out Foreman in the eighth round. george foreman

10. Fists of Fury

Heavyweight contender George Foreman strikes a fighting pose in front of Nassau Coliseum here where he meets Joe Frazier in a 12-round bout. george foreman

11. Meet the Press

World Heavyweight champion George Foreman holds press conference the morning after beating Joe Frazier. george foreman

12. Represent

George Foreman of Houston, TX, waves a small American flag after he won the Olympics heavyweight boxing gold medal to climax America’s greatest effort at an Olympics. The US walked away with 45 gold medals, 27 silvers and 34 bronze. Foreman scored a second-round technical knockout over Ionas Chepulis of the Soviet Union. george foreman

13. Heart of A Champion

IBF heavyweight champion George Foreman of the US smiles as he holds belts for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) championship and the World Boxing Union (WBU) championship after defeating Axel Schulz of Germany in a 12-round decision at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas 22 April. george foreman

14. In the Big City

Olympic Gold Medalist Heavyweight boxer George Foreman is all set for Flag Day (right) June 14th,and makes sure passersbys near Madison Square Garden on June 13th remember it by passing out miniature American flags.Foreman won acclaim at the 1968 Olympic Games when he proudly displayed a small U.S. flag during medal presentation ceremonies.Foreman battles Don Waldheim of New York at Madison Square Garden June 23rd prior to the heavyweight title bout between champion Joe Frazier and Jerry Quarry. george foreman

15. Foreman and Reagan

Gov. Ronald Reagan helps heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman with his world title belt after presentation ceremonies in Reagan’s office. Foreman said he hopes to do more with the prize than just make a pile of money. He said he hopes to “give a little message to kids that everybody can be a champion.” george foreman

16. King of the Grill

George Foreman during George Foreman Photocall – October 20, 2006 at Trafalgar Square in London, Great Britain. george foreman

17. Born Again

George Foreman preaching to his congregation at The Church Of The Lord Jesus Christ on Lone Oak Road in Houston, Texas, February 1995. Foreman became a born-again Christian and ordained minister in 1977. george foreman

18. Friendly Foes

Evander Holyfield and American boxer George Forema, pose smiling with their fists raised as they attend the 13th Annual CableACE Awards, held at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles, California, 12th January 1992. george foreman

19. Foreman and Tyson

Mike Tyson, (L), and George Foreman will appear on the same card in a boxing double-header extravanganza, June 16th, at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. george foreman

20. Rest Well, Champ

Heavyweight champion George Forman raises his arms after winning a boxing match circa 1973. george foreman