35 Years Later: The Rumble in the Jungle

BET.com and Muhammad Ali Enterprises remember one of the greatest fights of all time: The Rumble in the Jungle. See photos and video.

A Fight to Remember - An ex-Olympic gold medalist, George Foreman was regarded as among the most talented heavyweights in his sport during the 1970s. A boyish Texan who hit with the strength of three men, he was undefeated at the time that he agreed to face the ex-champ formerly known as Cassius Clay. Foreman had demolished Muhammad Ali’s arch ring nemesis Joe Frazier, so it seemed fitting to many sports analysts that he would do the same to Ali on Oct. 30, 1974 – at the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle.”

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A Fight to Remember - An ex-Olympic gold medalist, George Foreman was regarded as among the most talented heavyweights in his sport during the 1970s. A boyish Texan who hit with the strength of three men, he was undefeated at the time that he agreed to face the ex-champ formerly known as Cassius Clay. Foreman had demolished Muhammad Ali’s arch ring nemesis Joe Frazier, so it seemed fitting to many sports analysts that he would do the same to Ali on Oct. 30, 1974 – at the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle.”

A Fight to Remember - The fight was a big deal for Muhammad Ali. Not only was the fight in Kinshasha, Zaire – today known as Democratic Republic of the Congo – a highly anticipated event for fight fans, it was a Black world affair. Marking Ali’s return to title contender status was an occasion that brought out the “hardest working man in show business” James Brown, along with B.B. King, The Spinners and South African musical star Miriam Makeba. Their three-day musical festival helped hype the face-off in the ring.

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A Fight to Remember - The fight was a big deal for Muhammad Ali. Not only was the fight in Kinshasha, Zaire – today known as Democratic Republic of the Congo – a highly anticipated event for fight fans, it was a Black world affair. Marking Ali’s return to title contender status was an occasion that brought out the “hardest working man in show business” James Brown, along with B.B. King, The Spinners and South African musical star Miriam Makeba. Their three-day musical festival helped hype the face-off in the ring.

A Fight to Remember - Ali had become one of the world’s most fascinating and complex figures, having changed his name and announcing his affiliation with the Nation of Islam to the world after his defeat of Sonny Liston. The handsome and personable pugilist further offended a sizable portion of mainstream America by refusing to be drafted for war in Vietnam. Conversely, his relinquishment of the championship belt for standing on principle only elevated his status among many Blacks and peace activists.

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A Fight to Remember - Ali had become one of the world’s most fascinating and complex figures, having changed his name and announcing his affiliation with the Nation of Islam to the world after his defeat of Sonny Liston. The handsome and personable pugilist further offended a sizable portion of mainstream America by refusing to be drafted for war in Vietnam. Conversely, his relinquishment of the championship belt for standing on principle only elevated his status among many Blacks and peace activists.

A Fight to Remember - As he’d done early in his career, Ali made his training regimen a bit of a media sideshow. His interaction with the people of Zaire during fight preparation is documented in the stellar documentary “When We Were Kings.” Foreman, when it came to training, was all business.

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A Fight to Remember - As he’d done early in his career, Ali made his training regimen a bit of a media sideshow. His interaction with the people of Zaire during fight preparation is documented in the stellar documentary “When We Were Kings.” Foreman, when it came to training, was all business.

A Fight to Remember - Zaire’s president Mobutu Sésé Seko was thrilled for the publicity that “Rumble in the Jungle” brought to his nation. Having the two boxers in what was expected to be the fight of the century on Zaire soil for an extended period of time, no doubt, helped public relations: Seko was blamed years earlier for complicity in the death of African freedom fighter Patrice Lumumba.

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A Fight to Remember - Zaire’s president Mobutu Sésé Seko was thrilled for the publicity that “Rumble in the Jungle” brought to his nation. Having the two boxers in what was expected to be the fight of the century on Zaire soil for an extended period of time, no doubt, helped public relations: Seko was blamed years earlier for complicity in the death of African freedom fighter Patrice Lumumba.

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A Fight to Remember - As with any fight involving Ali, training sessions for “Rumble in the Jungle” were unpredictable. The boxer arrived at one point, while media cameras rolled, proclaiming: “The champ is here!” He accompanied his repeated chant by beating a drum. Foreman didn’t take the psychological bait, but Ali was, as always, entertaining. On another occasion, he rhymed, “You think the world was shocked when Nixon resigned, wait ‘til I whip George Foreman’s behind!”

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A Fight to Remember - As with any fight involving Ali, training sessions for “Rumble in the Jungle” were unpredictable. The boxer arrived at one point, while media cameras rolled, proclaiming: “The champ is here!” He accompanied his repeated chant by beating a drum. Foreman didn’t take the psychological bait, but Ali was, as always, entertaining. On another occasion, he rhymed, “You think the world was shocked when Nixon resigned, wait ‘til I whip George Foreman’s behind!”

A Fight to Remember - At one point, Ali’s mental self-motivation before the fight may have worked against him – a Foreman injury caused the fight to be delayed for weeks. The frustrated former champ was visibly frustrated, perhaps as much by his own accumulating nerves as by the re-scheduling. “Rumble in the Jungle’s” original fight date of Sept. 25 was delayed by just over a month.

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A Fight to Remember - At one point, Ali’s mental self-motivation before the fight may have worked against him – a Foreman injury caused the fight to be delayed for weeks. The frustrated former champ was visibly frustrated, perhaps as much by his own accumulating nerves as by the re-scheduling. “Rumble in the Jungle’s” original fight date of Sept. 25 was delayed by just over a month.

A Fight to Remember - The splendor of the sport was perhaps more apparent with “Rumble in the Jungle” than in any other boxing event before it. Promoted by the flashy and slick, soon-to-be-legendary Don King, the fight was spectacular even for casual observers. Boxing enthusiasts were riveted.

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A Fight to Remember - The splendor of the sport was perhaps more apparent with “Rumble in the Jungle” than in any other boxing event before it. Promoted by the flashy and slick, soon-to-be-legendary Don King, the fight was spectacular even for casual observers. Boxing enthusiasts were riveted.

A Fight to Remember - The final days, hours and moments before “Rumble in the Jungle” were a study in anticipation. Fighters gave interviews, photos were snapped and bets were placed with 3-1 odds in Foreman’s favor. No doubt, many a bet was placed in the Black barbershops containing long-displaced descendants of the continent where the match would take place. It was the first time that Blacks in America re-connected with their ancestral Mother through a major sporting event.

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A Fight to Remember - The final days, hours and moments before “Rumble in the Jungle” were a study in anticipation. Fighters gave interviews, photos were snapped and bets were placed with 3-1 odds in Foreman’s favor. No doubt, many a bet was placed in the Black barbershops containing long-displaced descendants of the continent where the match would take place. It was the first time that Blacks in America re-connected with their ancestral Mother through a major sporting event.

A Fight to Remember - Ali had predicted that Foreman, who was known for his knockout skills, would tire out in the fight. “Is that all you got, George?” he reportedly asked early in the fight after taking some of Foreman’s biggest punches. “Yep,” Foreman later confessed thinking to himself. “That’s about it.”

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A Fight to Remember - Ali had predicted that Foreman, who was known for his knockout skills, would tire out in the fight. “Is that all you got, George?” he reportedly asked early in the fight after taking some of Foreman’s biggest punches. “Yep,” Foreman later confessed thinking to himself. “That’s about it.”

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A Fight to Remember - In the fight’s eighth round, with Foreman’s motor wearing down, Ali landed the blow that would make him a heavyweight champion for the second time. Foreman, much bigger and stronger, fell to the canvas like a tall tree. He later recalled that the verbally merciless Ali could’ve thrown another punch as Foreman went down, but instead he waited as the ref counted Foreman out.

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A Fight to Remember - In the fight’s eighth round, with Foreman’s motor wearing down, Ali landed the blow that would make him a heavyweight champion for the second time. Foreman, much bigger and stronger, fell to the canvas like a tall tree. He later recalled that the verbally merciless Ali could’ve thrown another punch as Foreman went down, but instead he waited as the ref counted Foreman out.

A Fight to Remember - Back at the top of his game, Ali was a world champion again. Foreman had suffered only his first loss, but it would always be the most painful. Years later, he and Ali would become good friends.

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A Fight to Remember - Back at the top of his game, Ali was a world champion again. Foreman had suffered only his first loss, but it would always be the most painful. Years later, he and Ali would become good friends.

A Fight to Remember - Post-fight publicity proved interesting as Foreman and Ali made their way back to the States. At a stop-over in Paris, Foreman called for an investigation, saying the ring ropes had been too loose, the ref’s count too quick. His 2007 book God In My Corner would even suggest that his water bottle had been tampered with. Ali, meanwhile, basked in the glory of victory.

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A Fight to Remember - Post-fight publicity proved interesting as Foreman and Ali made their way back to the States. At a stop-over in Paris, Foreman called for an investigation, saying the ring ropes had been too loose, the ref’s count too quick. His 2007 book God In My Corner would even suggest that his water bottle had been tampered with. Ali, meanwhile, basked in the glory of victory.

A Fight to Remember - Once vilified for his religious affiliation and criticized as unpatriotic due to his stance against the Vietnam War, Ali today is one of America’s biggest living legends. He uses much of his influence by promoting charitable causes and serving as an ambassador for humanitarian campaigns. Though struggling with the debilitating nerve illness Parkinson’s Syndrome, Ali reportedly enjoys his private life outside the spotlight and far removed from his days as king of the ring. Losses late in his care

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A Fight to Remember - Once vilified for his religious affiliation and criticized as unpatriotic due to his stance against the Vietnam War, Ali today is one of America’s biggest living legends. He uses much of his influence by promoting charitable causes and serving as an ambassador for humanitarian campaigns. Though struggling with the debilitating nerve illness Parkinson’s Syndrome, Ali reportedly enjoys his private life outside the spotlight and far removed from his days as king of the ring. Losses late in his care

A Fight to Remember - George Foreman has gone on to become one of the most likable personalities in all of sports. A born-again Christian who became a preacher, he not only defied odds by re-capturing the heavyweight title at age 46 against Michael Moorer in the 1990s, but he re-invented himself as one of TV’s most popular pitchmen and personalities, even earning a sitcom and reality series. His George Foreman Grill remains a popular kitchen product in households throughout the country.

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A Fight to Remember - George Foreman has gone on to become one of the most likable personalities in all of sports. A born-again Christian who became a preacher, he not only defied odds by re-capturing the heavyweight title at age 46 against Michael Moorer in the 1990s, but he re-invented himself as one of TV’s most popular pitchmen and personalities, even earning a sitcom and reality series. His George Foreman Grill remains a popular kitchen product in households throughout the country.

A Fight to Remember - In the much-anticipated 1974 battle against George Foreman in Zaire, Ali was a decided underdog. Ali’s famous “rope-a-dope” strategy provided him a stunning upset victory, establishing him as a unique global icon.

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A Fight to Remember - In the much-anticipated 1974 battle against George Foreman in Zaire, Ali was a decided underdog. Ali’s famous “rope-a-dope” strategy provided him a stunning upset victory, establishing him as a unique global icon.