In Oct 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman squared off in one of the about legendary bouts in battle history, famously known every bit the "Rumble in the Jungle." Foreman, the younger and stronger of the ii, walked into the ring in Zaire as the heavyweight champion of the world just didn't walk out the same manner every bit Ali shocked the globe to win the title for a second time.

The loss was the first of Foreman's professional person career, and he certainly didn't take information technology well. While he later admitted to losing to a better fighter, Foreman was initially bitter in defeat and blamed his loss to Ali on exhaustion. So in an effort to showcase his stamina, power, and athleticism on a continent non named Africa, Foreman put together a spectacle in Toronto not fifty-fifty six months later in which he fought 5 men in one night.

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Foreman seemingly wanted to bear witness to Ali that he was withal the superior fighter despite what happened in Zaire. And Ali was correct there sitting ringside to scout this spectacle, at least role of it anyway. But this display, while somewhat impressive in 1 sense, didn't have the event Foreman was hoping for and Ali, every bit he did dorsum in the mean solar day, fabricated sure to let him know about it.

Muhammad Ali shocked the globe by knocking out George Foreman in the 'Rumble in the Jungle'

George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali during the 'Rumble in the Jungle' in Zaire in October 1974
Muhammad Ali lands a right hand on George Foreman during the "Rumble in the Jungle" in Zaire in October 1974 | Ken Regan /Walt Disney Television set via Getty Images

Coming into the "Rumble in the Jungle" in October 1974, Foreman, 25, held a 40-0 tape with 37 knockouts and truly seemed unbeatable. After knocking down Joe Frazier half dozen times in two rounds to win the heavyweight title in Jan 1973, Foreman knocked out Jose Roman in his get-go title defense in September 1973 and then destroyed Ken Norton in two rounds in March 1974.

Ali, 32, had split two fights with Norton in 1973 and was coming off a unanimous conclusion victory over Joe Frazier in January 1974 when he headed to Zaire to begin training for Foreman. Most experts believed he was overmatched against the stronger, younger champion. Still, Ali was intent on regaining the championship, which he never lost in the ring as it was stripped from him when he was suspended for refusing induction into the U.S. Army.

And Ali obviously made good on his promise to regain the championship equally he implemented what came to exist known every bit the "rope-a-dope." He drew Foreman in by going toe-to-toe with the champion early on and then permit Foreman wear himself out as the fight progressed, leaning on the ropes equally Foreman threw punch after punch after punch. When Foreman could no longer defend himself, Ali unleashed a flurry of shots that stunned the champ. And as the 8th round came to a close, Ali landed a five-punch combination that culminated with a left hook and a straight right that sent Foreman to the canvas, ending the fight.

Six months later, Foreman fought five men in one night with Ali mocking him at ringside

Following the loss, Foreman called for a rematch with Ali on numerous occasions. Only Ali seemed to be in no hurry to pace back in the ring with Foreman and instead used his first title defense to fight 36-year-one-time Chuck Wepner, who took Ali to the 15th circular and served every bit the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone'south Rocky series.

One calendar month after the Ali-Wepner fight, Foreman staged his five-fight spectacle at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. About people not named George Foreman thought this was a skillful idea, and his normal trainers didn't even carp to show up for the event. Each fight was scheduled for iii rounds, and each was against a much lighter opponent, which is likely why Foreman guaranteed to knock out all five.

Foreman began the show with a second-round knockout of Alonzo Johnson, who'd lost to Ali when he was still known equally Cassius Clay in 1961. Next up was little-known Jerry Guess and Foreman floored him in the second circular as well. But that was just their first fight as the two too brawled on the sheet afterward in what became a spectacle in itself. Meanwhile, Ali was sitting ringside helping Howard Cosell with a little commentary and was essentially mocking Foreman the entire time.

Foreman then knocked out Terry Daniels, the most well-known fighter of the v, as he was the first to claiming Joe Frazier after Frazier defeated Ali in the "Fight of the Century" in 1971. Foreman and Daniels besides got into it afterward their "official" fight was over, and the corners also got into the mix. At one betoken, Foreman even shoved ane of his own guys across the band.

The quaternary opponent was journeyman Charlie Polite, who ended his career with a record of 17-39-3. At the time, he'd lost thirty of 46 pro fights but notwithstanding had the audacity to kiss Foreman on the chin while the referee was giving instructions. And to brand matters worse, he actually survived all three rounds to put an stop to Foreman's knockout promise. The 5th and terminal fighter, Boone Kirkman, who Foreman knocked out in the second circular in 1970, also made information technology through all three rounds.

At the cease of the final fight, Foreman raised his artillery in triumph, simply nobody was a winner on this evening. Certain, Foreman proved he had stamina as he was in the ring for close to an 60 minutes (he obviously wasn't fighting the whole time), only this was an overall embarrassment to the sport of boxing. And the Toronto crowd certainly had no problem voicing its displeasure.

He never got his rematch but did win dorsum the heavyweight championship in 1994

Post-obit the 5-fight charade in Toronto, Foreman connected to call out Muhammad Ali but never secured a rematch earlier abruptly retiring in 1977 following an upset loss to Jimmy Immature.

He returned to the ring in 1987, and in November 1994, at the age of 45, he shocked the world past knocking out undefeated 26-year-erstwhile Michael Moorer to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, making him the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

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