Don King is a despicable character and yet he was a genius in promoting this fight in Africa. He told the public "You think you were shocked when Nixon resigned, wait till I whip George Foreman's behind!!!" This film brings that time and place in Zaire, Africa to life. Ali was almost 33 years old and considered all washed up and yet he showed no fear against this man. Ali had lost to Joe Frazier and Ken Norton and had barely won rematches with them, and Foreman knocked both of them silly in less then two rounds. Howard Cosell was one of Ali's most ardent supporters (he was one of the first to call him by that name and support him in his opposition of the draft) and yet even Cosell said that he didn't think that Ali could beat George Foreman. George is such a beloved figure now that people have forgotten that when he first won the Heavywieght Crown from Joe Frazier in 1973, that he was as dreaded and feared as Sonny Liston was in his heyday. This film shows him again in all his glory when he took on the seemingly invincible giant George Foreman. Maybe its because he is such an ill, tragic figure today that this film is so important because it shows him in all his glory when he was not just a magnificent boxer but a ringing voice of social conscience as well. A public poll once showed that people all over the world recognized him more then the President of the United States. Muhammad Ali is the most amazing athelete of the twentieth century and perhaps the most beloved boxer of all time.
His prompt comeback included defeating bitter rival Joe Frazier to regain his heavyweight belt in his previous ring outing before the historic match-up.įoreman's explosive finishing carried him through his illustrious boxing career and earned him the status as a young, live favourite against the ageing Ali.īut what followed would be an all-time classic with Ali stopping the huge-hitter in the eighth round after taking a brutal beating, by introducing his infamous rope-a-dope tactic to launch his own offences.Īli was notorious for his slick movement and world-class technique that helped him produce one of the most spectacular boxing displays in front of a record audience.This film won a slew of critical praise (as well as quite a few awards) and it deserves all of them. The rivalry promised to be huge with Ali coming in as more than a fighter after facing suspension from the sport due to his refusal to draft for the US Army in 1970. It truly was one of the greatest sporting events all-time with a projected record-breaking audience of 1 billion tuning in to watch the fight, including 50-million people via pay-per-view screenings in theatres.Īli came in as a four to one underdog against Foreman who was a powerful hitter and reigned undefeated at the time.
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