40th Anniversary of The Rumble in the Jungle

By Boxing Coach, Chuck Horton

The Set-Up!

Renowned boxing promoter, Don King, was integral in setting up the fight. He promised each fighter $5 million ($24 million in 2014). No one in the United States was willing to supply that astronomical fee to the fighters. The president of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko, wanting to attract international attention to the abundant natural resources of his nation, agreed to cover the

cost of the fight. 

BACKGROUND

Ali was banished from the boxing arena in 1967 for his refusal to join the draft. He reclaimed his license 3 years

later, though visible diminished and somewhat older and slower. Following his loss to Frazier, Ali was 40-1 in some books and nearly every expert feared for his safety against the monstrous

Foreman.

“Big George” gained his World Heavyweight title thanks to a second

round KO of then-undefeated Joe Frazier. Before the Rumble in the

Jungle fight, Foreman was undefeated with 40 wins, 37 of them knockouts in an early round. He was portrayed in the media as a grim and unsmiling

ogre with trunk trees for arms.

The Strategy

Ali pulled off one of the riskiest gambles in all of

sports history. His “rope-a-dope” strategy let

Foreman throw dangerous punches while Ali dodged and defended while leaning back heavily

on the ropes. !

After soaking up Foreman’s blows (and

crucial misses) Ali picked the perfect moment to bound off the ropes and clock Foreman right on the chin with a dazzling punch. It left Foreman

completely dazed on the floor. Ali had proven

himself once more as king of the world!

The Knockout

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