Rumble Jungle: Ali v Foreman

Black History Month Special

Rumble in the Jungle: Ali v Foreman
October 30, 1974
Kinshasa, Zaire, Africa
Evening, 80 degrees Fahrenheit

Rounds 1-4
Two battle warriors step into the boxing ring.
Current undefeated heavyweight champion ‘Big George’ Foreman
versus former heavyweight champion, the people’s champion, Muhammad Ali.
Fight predications are cast. “Ali, Bomaye!”
“’Big George Foreman’ is the odds-on favorite to win this bout.”
“Ali is an OB (old boxer) in this contest. He’s the underdog.
“So, I ask you, can an “old boxing underdog
after a long boxing layoff learn new tricks?
Just can’t be done,” I tell you. Many sportscasters agree.
“No contest. Big George is younger, Big George is stronger.”
“But remember,” said Angelo Dundee.
“Measure for measure, Ali’s reach is longer.
Muhammad is a master tactician, a boxing scholar.”
Ali dances the first two rounds slipping punches.
Big George stalks him into the corners
and unleashes a barrage of boulder-busting body shots.
Ali remains on his feet, defiant.

Round 5-7
Rounds teeter-totter back and forth. Can Ali defy predictions?
Rolling on the ropes, Ali locks his forearms together like shield
protecting his face and midbody.
“Ooh, oh.” Most thought, “Ali is sure to succumb to the onslaught.”
But Big George can’t strike the winning monster punch.
Ali teases the champ, even whispers in his ears.
“You’re not good enough, nor fast enough or strong enough.”
Now fatiqued, frustrated, the champ’s blows are wilder and wilder.
Ali counterpunches, rifling combinations of stinging punches
to Big George’s face. His face grows puffier and puffier.

Round 8
Big George, still determined, legs wobbly, hurls haymakers
into space. At last, he’s punches himself out.
The underdog, playing possum, perks up, bob, weaves.
“I’m too pretty and too good to be an under-d-o-g,” he said.
“I’m made in the image of G-o-d. Allah, the Supreme.”
Moments later a flurry of startling punches drops Big George to the mat.
Big George staggers slowly to his feet. Too late. He’s counted out.
Now triumphant, Ali pumps his fist, again the heavyweight champion.

Post-Bout Interview
“I told all you suckers who doubted me,”
Ali wags his pointer finger at the camera.
“I float like a butter and sting like a bee.
Even a so-called champion can’t hit, what he can’t see.”
I’m still the greatest!”
The spectators chant, “Ali, Bomaye! Ali, Bomaye!”