A Salute to the Rumble in the Jungle

[SenorPipino]

It's 42 years and counting today, that the world stopped for an hour and watched two men battle it out in the African jungle (figuratively) for the heavyweight championship of the world.

It was one of the most epic bouts in history, matching the undefeated and fearsome George Foreman against the icon himself, Muhammad Ali.

We all know how it turned out, with the aging, 3-1 underdog Ali outworking and outsmarting Foreman on the way to a classic upset.

The bout brought the phrase "rope-a-dope" into our eternal consciousness.

Ali is now gone, and this anniversary is tinged with sadness for me.

But memories of that legendary night in Zaire will never die, and boxing fans should pause and remember how two men cemented an unforgetable moment in history by staging a match that lives through the ages.

Ali Bomaye!

[evrenb]

[elmersalsa]

A classic big fight of the ages!

[SteveO]

One of the best heavyweight title fights...........ever.

[Keko]

One of the best heavyweight title fights...........ever.

I agree

[elmersalsa]

One of the best heavyweight title fights...........ever.

I agree

If someone doesn't agree then, something gotta be wrong with his eyes and mind.

[BoxBuzz]

I just watched it again, with NO sound.

I was more impressed than ever.

Ali was as focused as a laser. And using his particular skills was as monstrous a fighter as you'd ever want to see.
Not with pure force/power, but with skilled intent, speed, and balance.

[SenorPipino]

I just watched it again, with NO sound.

I was more impressed than ever.

Ali was as focused as a laser. And using his particular skills was as monstrous a fighter as you'd ever want to see.
Not with pure force/power, but with skilled intent, speed, and balance.

When I rewatch the bout, what always stands out to me is Ali taking a fierce pounding on the ropes throughout the 5th round.

Foreman's sledgehammer blows caught Ali everywhere---head, body, arms, even the hips.

You wondered how a man could withstand the punishment from one of history's most prolific heavyweight punchers.

But wonder of wonders, in the last 30 seconds of the 5th, Ali starts landing repeated right hands to Foreman's head, and by the end of the round, a dazed champion is backing up as Ali pours it on.

It was at that point that I knew Ali would win the fight.

I suspect, a drained Foreman probably also knew it too.