{"id":1397425,"date":"2021-08-11T10:36:37","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T14:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1397425"},"modified":"2023-05-23T14:06:46","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T18:06:46","slug":"after-losing-muhammad-ali-rumble-in-the-jungle-george-foreman-fought-five-guys-single-night-ali-mocked-him-from-ringside","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/after-losing-muhammad-ali-rumble-in-the-jungle-george-foreman-fought-five-guys-single-night-ali-mocked-him-from-ringside\/","title":{"rendered":"After Losing to Muhammad Ali in the \u2018Rumble in the Jungle,\u2019 George Foreman Fought Five Guys in a Single Night as Ali Mocked Him From Ringside"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In October 1974, Muhammad Ali<\/a> and George Foreman<\/a> squared off in one of the most legendary bouts in boxing history, famously known as the “Rumble in the Jungle.” Foreman, the younger and stronger of the two, walked into the ring in Zaire as the heavyweight champion of the world but didn't walk out the same way as Ali shocked the world to win the title for a second time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The loss was the first of Foreman's professional career, and he certainly didn't take it 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 not named Africa, Foreman put together a spectacle in Toronto not even six months later in which he fought five men in one night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For my older readers, think of the Louis Gossett Jr.-James Woods 1992 cult classic, Diggstown<\/em>. For my younger readers who don't know what that is, do yourself a favor and stream Diggstown<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreman seemingly wanted to prove to Ali that he was still the superior fighter despite what happened in Zaire. And Ali was right there sitting ringside to watch this spectacle, at least part of it anyway. But this display, while somewhat impressive in one sense, didn't have the effect Foreman was hoping for, and Ali, as he did back in the day, made sure to let him know about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muhammad Ali shocked the world by knocking out George Foreman in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle'<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Muhammad
George Foreman and Muhammad Ali during the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire in October 1974 | Ken Regan \/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coming into the “Rumble in the Jungle” in October 1974, Foreman, 25, held a 40-0 record with 37 knockouts and truly seemed unbeatable. After knocking down Joe Frazier<\/a> six times in two rounds to win the heavyweight title in January 1973, Foreman knocked out Jose Roman in his first title defense in September 1973 and then destroyed Ken Norton<\/a> in two rounds in March 1974. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali, 32, had split two fights with Norton in 1973 and was coming off a unanimous decision 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 title, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Ali made good on his promise to regain the title as he implemented what came to be known as the “rope-a-dope.” He drew Foreman in by going toe-to-toe with the champion early on and then let Foreman wear himself out as the fight progressed, leaning on the ropes as 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 eighth 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six months later, Foreman fought five men in one night, with Ali mocking him at ringside<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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