How George Foreman “Grilled” His Name Across America

George Foreman’s Boxing Career

As an imposing and ferocious boxer, George Foreman became the Heavyweight World Champion in 1973 after defeating Joe Frazier in the “Sunshine Showdown”. In 1974, Foreman lost the “Rumble in the Jungle” against the great Muhammad Ali, ultimately losing his Heavyweight title to him. This loss, coupled with another match where he nearly died due to a heat stroke, marked a turning point in Foreman’s boxing career, as he retired from the sport in 1977. 

Final Retirement and an Impressive Record

After becoming a pastor, and opening a church and a youth and community centre in his hometown of Houston, he soon ran out of money and made an unceremonious return to the ring before finally retiring in 1997 at the age of 45, with an impressive record of 76 wins, including a staggering 68 wins by knockout, in his total 81 professional fights, with just 5 losses to his name, making him the oldest boxer with the World Heavyweight title.

The Forging of George Foreman and the Grill

Michael Boehm and Robert Johnson received countrywide exposure for their sloped-grill plate - The Fajita Express, a revolutionary grill design that would make meat fat drain into a lower plate and also make it easy to fill tacos. Eventually, they sold their patent to Salton (now Russell Hobbs Inc.) - a kitchen equipment manufacturer who initially named it the “Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine”. Salton sought out a spokesman for this grill and found their right heavyweight champion. Having already been a spokesman for Doritos, Foreman was rewarded a hefty paycheck for this one-time opportunity. 

Cementing his face into America’s Kitchens

Foreman finally came around to endorsing the brand after months of Salton’s advances, on the condition that they follow his terms. Rather than an upfront payment, Foreman insisted that he receive a 45% cut of all profits. Sales were relatively low in the first 18 months before Salton decided to change their marketing strategy - by showcasing Foreman as a family man in all their TV commercials. Following this, in 1996, Salton sold $5 million worth of grills and a staggering $160 million in 1999. 

As George Foreman’s name was imprinted everywhere, Salton were worried that he might take the deal and run. However, the success that Salton saw with Foreman by their side,  bought Foreman out for a total of $137.5 million etching his name in American kitchen appliance history.