Boxing heavyweight legend George Foreman has died aged 76, according to his family.

His family said in a post on Instagram on Friday night: “Our hearts are broken.

“A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.”

The statement added: “A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected – a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name – for his family,” the family said, describing Foreman in a post on Instagram.

Known as Big George in the ring, Foreman competed for decades starting in the 1960s, becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist.

Perhaps his best known for the historic “Rumble in the Jungle” bout with Muhammad Ali in 1974 in Zaire, a fight Foreman lost in an upset via eighth-round KO. It’s arguably the most famous fight of all time, and the “When We Were Kings” film that chronicled the fight won an Oscar for best documentary feature.

Foreman’s final fight came in November 1997, a majority decision loss to Shannon Briggs.

He held his role with HBO as a ringside analyst for 12 years, ending in 2004.

The Ring named Foreman the ninth-greatest puncher of all time and, in 2002, one of the top 25 best boxers of the past 80 years.

In a statement, Top Rank called Foreman “one of the biggest punchers and personalities the sport has ever seen.”

“George was a great friend to not only myself but to my entire family,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. “We’ve lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.”

(Photo Credit: Getty images)