AceShowbiz - George Foreman, the iconic professional boxer and Olympic Gold medallist, passed away at 76 on March 21. His cause of death was not specified by his family, but they said the Olympian was "surrounded by loved ones" at the time of his passing.

"We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own," the family concluded in their statement.

Mike Tyson, a revered name in boxing, paid tribute with heartfelt words, "Condolences to George Foreman's family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten."

Accompanying his post were two throwback photos of the duo. One captured a recent moment in May 2019 at the Hublot x WBC Night of Champions Gala in Las Vegas. Another nostalgic image showed Tyson jokingly giving Foreman an uppercut during a press event in April 1990, both smiling widely.

Former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen also shared his sentiments, "Rest in peace, George Foreman. Your legacy lives on, champ," accompanied by an image of Foreman victorious in the ring.

NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III honored Foreman, not just for his boxing accolades but for his roles as a man of God, entrepreneur, and preacher. His post featured a clip of Foreman's legendary knockouts, underscoring his boxing prowess.

Media personality Loni Love reflected on Foreman's versatile influence, "Bigger than life in more ways than one, George Foreman captivated the hearts & minds of sports fans & found a place on the kitchen counter of many homes."

Critic Richard Roeper recalled an iconic moment in boxing history, "As a 7-2 underdog against Joe Frazier in 1973, Foreman knocked down Frazier six times," emphasizing the memorable call by Howard Cosell, "Down goes Frazier!"

Born in Marshall, Texas, George Fireman overcame a challenging childhood marked by poverty and school dropout. Sparked by an interest in sports, he pursued boxing, eventually clinching the Olympic gold medal in 1968 at just 19 years old. He seized the heavyweight champion title twice before eventually retiring in 1977.

Beyond boxing, Foreman's influence extended into business and media. In 1994, he began endorsing the George Foreman Grill, turning it into a household name with the catchphrase, "It's a knockout." Despite his retirement from the sport, his entrepreneurial endeavors and charismatic personality kept him in the public eye.

He is survived by his wife Mary Joan Martelly and 11 children.