Michael Moorer — one of the few men who stood toe-to-toe in a boxing ring with George Foreman — tells TMZ Sports he’s heartbroken over the boxing legend’s death … making it clear the pugilist will be sorely missed.

We sat down with Moorer on Monday — just three days after Foreman’s family revealed the ex-heavyweight champ passed away at 76 years old — and it wasn’t hard to tell he was crushed to learn of the news.

Moorer called Foreman “a gentle giant” … and added that he’ll always remember him as “a great person.”

Moorer and Foreman fought way back in 1994 — and Moorer was considered a big favorite at the time. And, for much of the matchup, he dominated … but in the 10th round, Foreman knocked him out with a huge right hand and took his championship belt.

Moorer — who said he needed 32 stitches in his lip to fix the damage the KO punch caused — held no ill-will toward Foreman in wake of the defeat … in fact, he said the two remained telephone friends over the years.

He got the chance to catch up with Foreman at a 2023 screening of the “Big George Foreman” biopic … and told us he was thrilled his son got the chance to snap a photo with the legend while at the event.

Foreman’s family stated he died “peacefully” while “surrounded by loved ones.” A cause of death has not yet been revealed.