Freeda George Foreman, daughter of former two-time heavyweight world champion George Foreman, and a former professional boxer in her own right, died Saturday. She was 42.
The cause of her death was not immediately clear.
George Foreman confirmed her death on Twitter on Sunday night, posting a picture of them at her college graduation.
Daddy I want to Box,”Get an Education first” I said, well she Brought The bacon home ( degree) 2 Kids 3 Grands (Husband) First Sunday in 42 years without my Freeda. She’s With her maker now.10 kids forever. Just 1 more day I wanted okay 1 more year aw I more decade pic.twitter.com/q6mMSBxWqE
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) March 11, 2019
Freeda Foreman, who grew up in South Carolina, followed her father’s footsteps into professional boxing in 2000 with much fanfare at a time when the daughters of his famous rivals, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, were also boxing professionally.
Freeda Foreman, one of George’s 10 children, won her first five bouts and then lost a four-round split decision in November 2001 and retired with a record of 5-1, including three knockouts. She retired in part to raise a family.
Members of the boxing community offered their condolences.
“All of us at Top Rank send our heartfelt condolences to our friend George Foreman on the untimely death of his daughter, Freeda,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who promoted George Foreman for much of his career and has remained close to him for decades.
“The entire WBC joins the family of Freeda and her many friends in these sad moments,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement.