President Trump referred to George Foreman as a "great fighter," while Magic Johnson called him a "knockout artist."
George Foreman, who passed away on Friday at the age of 76, received an overwhelming number of tributes.
They unveiled the complex history of a guy who was a formidable heavyweight champion, a retired boxer who returned to win a world title at age 45, the most well-known grill tycoon in the United States, and a member of the "holy trinity" of heavyweight boxing, together with Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.
The boxing community, former NBA players, rappers, Billie Jean King, and President Donald Trump all sent their respects, demonstrating the extent of Foreman's fame.
In a post on his Truth Social account on Saturday, Trump referred to the two-time heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist as a “GREAT FIGHTER”.
With the exception of Muhammad Ali, Trump continued, "when you were hit, you went down." He claimed that Foreman had the "heaviest and largest punch in the history of boxing."
He offered his sympathies to Foreman's family and hailed him as a "wonderful person, with a charisma that was bigger than life."
Foreman lived in a time when boxing had a significant influence on popular culture. The 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" heavyweight title bout between Ali and the public drew an estimated one billion viewers.
Foreman's "contributions to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten," according to Hall of Fame boxer Mike Tyson, who also shared two images of the two heavyweights together.
As he honored one of his "fighting heroes" on X, NBA legend Magic Johnson recalled going to "so many of George's championship fights."
It was enjoyable to get to know him as a man and as a boxer. He was a knockout artist in the ring. He became a fantastic businessman after he left the ring; I even purchased one of the original George Foreman grills! Johnson went on.
Charles Barkley, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, stated during an emotional tribute on CBS Sports' coverage of the men's NCAA basketball tournament that the news left him "shook up right now."
George Foreman, may you rest in peace. Scottie Pippen, a six-time NBA champion and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, posted a picture of the fighter on X with the caption, "Your legacy goes on, champ."
Foreman "bet on me in the Battle of the Sexes, and acted as a bodyguard to help me after the match when the throng invaded the court," according to King, a twelve-time grand slam champion, who also paid her own homage on social media.
She added, "I am sad to hear about the passing of George Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion boxer, Olympic Gold medalist, and businessman." He was a wonderful friend and champion. We send his family our deepest sympathies. I hope he rests in peace.
Public Enemy vocalist Chuck D shared a picture of Foreman on X, writing, "George was one of my HEROES."
