On 30 October 1974 the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world met the most famous boxer of all time in Kinshasa, the capital of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The watching crowd of 60,000 included celebrities, literary figures, and Zaire's despotic ruler Mobutu Sese Seko. The bout between George Foreman and superstar challenger Muhammad Ali was dubbed the 'Rumble in the Jungle' by its flamboyant organiser Don King and is now considered to be one off the greatest sporting events of all time.
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THE CONTENDERS
Following 37 successive victories – all but four of them coming by knockout – he got his title shot against Frazier in January 1973. 'Smokin' Joe' was undefeated at this stage, but Foreman decimated the champion. The 24-year-old challenger knocked Frazier down six times in only two rounds before the bout was stopped. The heavyweight division had a new champ, one who it appeared could reign for years to come.While Ali's abilities appeared to have faded, his star power certainly hadn't. Though he would go on to become universally popular, it is fair to say that Ali was a polarising figure during the mid seventies. Millions loved him for his boxing and his bravado, but he was loathed by others for refusing the draft and his close association with the controversial Nation of Islam group. Many wanted to see Ali win back his title, but some would have taken great pleasure in watching him receive a beating. A fight between Ali and Foreman would be pure dynamite.
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THE MONEY MEN
King found his man in Mobutu Sese Seko, the president of Zaire. Mobutu was an authoritarian tyrant who plundered his nation's wealth to live a life of luxury while the people scraped by in abject poverty. He was a maniac of many stripes – a kleptomaniac, a megalomaniac, and certainly an egomaniac – who wanted to lead a famous nation. He thus needed a big event to put Zaire on the map, and what better than the biggest boxing match of all time?King used the fact that the fight would take place in Zaire to frame it as an event of African unity, though he would have staged it wherever the money was sufficient to pay the combatants. Nevertheless, with the likes of James Brown and B.B. King playing alongside several African performers at a festival to promote the fight, it lived up to billing.Ahead of the bout both fighters spent several weeks in Zaire training and acclimatising to the local climate. Originally scheduled for 25 September, the fight was postponed to 30 October after Foreman was cut near his right eye during training.
THE BUILD-UP
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Finally, after a seemingly never-ending wait and considerable hype, Ali and Foreman stepped into the ring at Kinshasa's 20th of May Stadium. By the time they did so it was 4am local time, which allowed the fight to be screened at 10pm in key U.S. markets. In the words of the New York Times, each man had "been assured $5‐million to alter his sleeping habits."READ MORE: Remembering Ali vs. Frazier – The Thrilla in Manila
THE FIGHT
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Despite the onslaught Ali survived, while Foreman began to tire. The champion hadn't fought beyond the fourth round in more than three years. As the fight progressed, he was heading into uncharted territory.With Foreman tiring his downfall became inevitable. He was conditioned to finish his prey quickly, not pursue it for an hour. Ali came out punching in the eighth and Foreman had no answer. With seconds remaining in the round the challenger floored the champion, who was as exhausted as he was hurt. The fight was stopped and the 60,000 crowd erupted. Incredibly, Ali was champion once more.The Rumble in the Jungle was a momentous fight that more than lived up to the hype. Today, it is considered one of the greatest sporting events of all time. Perhaps more than anything, it should be remembered as the fight that secured Muhammad Ali's status as the biggest star in the history of sport.@Jim_Weeks