On October 30, 1974, boxer Muhammad Ali achieved a historic victory in the “Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman, reclaiming his title as the heavyweight champion of the world. This bout took place in Kinshasa, Zaire, featuring Ali at 32 years old and Foreman at 25. Ali had previously lost his title in 1967 after refusing to join the military and was convicted of draft evasion, resulting in a suspension of his boxing license and championship. However, his sentence was overturned, allowing him to return to the sport in 1970.
The “Rumble in the Jungle” was orchestrated by Zaire’s president Mobutu Sese Seko, who paid both Ali and Foreman $5 million in an effort to boost tourism in the country. Ali saw the match as an opportunity to bridge the gap between American Blacks and Africans, as well as highlight racial issues and ongoing conflicts such as the Vietnam War. The fight started at 4:30 a.m. local time to accommodate American television viewers during primetime hours, attracting a crowd of 60,000 spectators at the Stade du Mai 20 in Zaire.
Despite being the underdog against Foreman, Ali employed a unique strategy known as the “rope-a-dope” during the early rounds of the match. Pretending to be trapped on the ropes, Ali allowed Foreman to tire himself out with repeated punches before seizing the moment to go on the offensive. In the eighth round of the fight, Ali launched a decisive attack that led to Foreman being knocked out just two seconds before the end of the round. This victory marked Ali’s return to the top of the boxing world and solidified his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Ali’s career in boxing came to an end in 1981 when he retired shortly before his 40th birthday. With a final record of 56 wins and 5 losses, he left a lasting impact on the sport and the world. Ali passed away on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74, due to septic shock from unspecified natural causes. He was laid to rest in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, surrounded by his family in his final hours. Muhammad Ali’s legacy transcends his accomplishments in the boxing ring, as he remains an iconic figure known for his activism, courage, and charisma.
