Sports Then and Now

While the greatest victory of Muhammad Ali’s career was perhaps over the U.S. Government, it could certainly be argued that he had no greater win in the boxing ring than his victory over George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle 45 years ago on October 30, 1974.

Though the 32-year old Ali had been a great champion, he had lost more than three years at the peak of his career due to his battle with the U.S. Government and in the three years since his return to the ring had never quite reached the level of greatest displayed earlier in his career.

He had posted a 15-2 record since returning to the ring and avenged both defeats, but the undefeated 25-year old Foreman was 40-0 in his career and wasn’t just winning fights, he was demolishing opponents.

Ali’s two defeats had been to Joe Frazier and Ken Norton. Foreman’s fights with both Frazier and Norton ended in the second round. He knocked Frazier down six times before their fight was finally stopped. Norton, who had famously broken Ali’s jaw in their first fight, was knocked out by Foreman in the second round.

There are many things about the Rumble in the Jungle that are now famously part of boxing lore.

One thing that made the fight notable was that it was being fought in Zaire, Africa. Ali had fought oversees several times previously, but never in Africa.

The Rumble in the Jungle proved to be a pivotal moment in the careers of both Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.

While the greatest victory of Muhammad Ali’s career was perhaps over the U.S. Government, it could certainly be argued that he had no greater win in the boxing ring than his victory over George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle 43 years ago on October 30, 1974.

Though the 32-year old Ali had been a great champion, he had lost more than three years at the peak of his career due to his battle with the U.S. Government and in the three years since his return to the ring had never quite reached the level of greatest displayed earlier in his career.

He had posted a 15-2 record since returning to the ring and avenged both defeats, but the undefeated 25-year old Foreman was 40-0 in his career and wasn’t just winning fights, he was demolishing opponents.

Ali’s two defeats had been to Joe Frazier and Ken Norton. Foreman’s fights with both Frazier and Norton ended in the second round. He knocked Frazier down six times before their fight was finally stopped. Norton, who had famously broken Ali’s jaw in their first fight, was knocked out by Foreman in the second round.

There are many things about the Rumble in the Jungle that are now famously part of boxing lore.

One thing that made the fight notable was that it was being fought in Zaire, Africa. Ali had fought oversees several times previously, but never in Africa.

Also, it was the first major fight promoted by Don King. He would, of course, become known for creating boxing spectacles, but the Rumble in the Jungle would be the first exposure for many to the flamboyant King.

The fight was originally set for September 25^th, but Foreman suffered a cut while sparing less than 10 days before the fight and they were forced to postpone for more than a month.

Though the extra time allowed Foreman to heal, it actually worked in Ali’s favor as he spent much time with the people and was embraced by local residents while Foreman was not happy with the surroundings.

The term “Ali, bomaye” (Ali kill him) became a popular chant by the locals and when the fight finally happened the atmosphere was clearly an advantage for Ali.

Many expected Foreman to make short work of Ali and he indeed connected on some big punches in the early going of the fight. That Ali didn’t go down became a key part of the story.

Eventually, Ali realized that for him to win he needed to wear down his younger and powerful opponent. Though he had used the strategy unsuccessfully in his losses to Frazier and Norton, the “rope-a-dope” strategy of staying against the ropes and bracing for big punches became part of the fight plan for Ali.

Foreman was still able to get in some huge punches, but eventually he started to tire and Ali began to gain control of the fight. Read the rest of this entry →