Rumble of the Jungle

[lailaaaa-]

Hey! I'm doing a project about "the Fight of the Year" in 1974. including Muhammad Ali and George Foreman and I really need some people who have some experience with that fight, preferably someone who was around at that time and remembers it kinda well. If you do belong in this category, would you like to answer these questions below, please?

Who would you have wanted to win this fight and why?
What kind of meaning did this fight have for you?
Did this fight change your image on the two boxers?
Were you suprised when Muhammad Ali won?
What went through you when he did?
What is your opinion on George Foreman's depression after the fight? (optional)

[Ben Bolt]

Who would you have wanted to win this fight and why?
While Ali at the time might have been a political controversial person in the US, his stands were generally supported over here in Europe and elsewhere around the world. A lot of poor or lower class people felt he was speaking on their behalf in a cynical, unfair world.
Also, back then Foreman's reputation was more of a brute, rude dude than the fun, easy-going fellow he turned into in elder days. So as a young lad in 1974, it was an obvious pick to cheer on Ali. Especially as he was the underdog (we always cheer on the underdog, don't we?). We had seen Ali struggle against Frazier and Norton, we had seen Foreman demolish Frazier and Norton, we feared and expected Foreman to demolish Ali.

What kind of meaning did this fight have for you?
Somewhat of a clich? but for a young teen spectator "there are no limits, everything is possible to achieve".
And, there is no such thing as a safe bet. Think twice before ********.

Did this fight change your image on the two boxers?
Ali underlined that improvisation is a valuable essence in life. In the opening round, Ali noticed that every time Foreman - a master in cutting off the ring - took one step, he himself was forced to take three or four in a ring that wasn't up to standard (soft floor and loose ropes). Foreman would tire him off if he didn't change strategy, so hit-and-move became rope-a-dope for the following rounds. A gamble, but the best way to survive.
More than Ali winning, it was Foreman losing. Whenever experts claim 'this guy will dominate the rings for years to come', I say to myself "nah ..."
In 1987, I could see Tyson having a short reign. When the right technician popped up, Tyson could be outboxed. A lesson learned from the Kinshasa fight - no man is unbeatable, not even in his prime.

Were you suprised when Muhammad Ali won?
More than surprised. Oddly, Ali once said he was seeing crocodiles flying in the air in the 5th round - he was on the verge of being KO'd. But in the same round, we on-lookers noticed the fight was shifting in his direction.

What went through you when he did?
Though 5am in Europe, and without any sleep that night, we started to party untill well into the afternoon. Similar to what took part in several places all around the world.

What is your opinion on George Foreman's depression after the fight?
Understandable. Not only did he realize he wasn't unstoppable (which probably a lots of young guys think they are), it must have been double pain losing to Ali because of Ali's pre-fight humiliation of every contender he faced. Foreman got his share, and Ali often ran it too far which was neither humorous nor sportsmanlike.
And I can believe Foreman had done better, or even winning the bout, if he and his corner hadn't believed in his invulnerability. He did blame his corner afterwards, for not slowing him down for a breather once or a while. If he had been pacing himself better, he might have been able to have his pressure last for all 15 rounds.

[lailaaaa-]

Thank you SO much for answering these questions, it means SO much to me and my project!

[Easy Work.]

OP watch this documentary it shows alot of rare things and footage leading up to the fight

[Ray Corso]

Rumble "of" the Jungle was "George of the Jungle" Rumble "in" the Jungle was "Big George" vs Ali!

Ali in his usual spectacular way came up with the "rope a dope" and his mind out foxed Big Georges power.

No one was smarter than Ali during a fight, he could adapt faster than anyone.
Ray

[lailaaaa-]

thank you! but I actually already saw that, I just need something more of a personal view :')

[lailaaaa-]

Rumble in the Jungle

Hey! I'm doing a project about "the Fight of the Year" in 1974. including Muhammad Ali and George Foreman and I really need some people who have some experience with that fight, preferably someone who was around at that time and remembers it kinda well. If you do belong in this category, would you like to answer these questions below, please?

Who would you have wanted to win this fight and why?
What kind of meaning did this fight have for you?
Did this fight change your image on the two boxers?
Were you suprised when Muhammad Ali won?
What went through you when he did?
What is your opinion on George Foreman's depression after the fight? (optional)

[TBear]

Hey! I'm doing a project about "the Fight of the Year" in 1974. including Muhammad Ali and George Foreman and I really need some people who have some experience with that fight, preferably someone who was around at that time and remembers it kinda well. If you do belong in this category, would you like to answer these questions below, please?

Who would you have wanted to win this fight and why?
What kind of meaning did this fight have for you?
Did this fight change your image on the two boxers?
Were you suprised when Muhammad Ali won?
What went through you when he did?
What is your opinion on George Foreman's depression after the fight? (optional)

Déj?vu....

[lailaaaa-]

Déj?vu....

What do you mean?

[Tedkidlewis]

Who would you have wanted to win this fight and why?
While Ali at the time might have been a political controversial person in the US, his stands were generally supported over here in Europe and elsewhere around the world. A lot of poor or lower class people felt he was speaking on their behalf in a cynical, unfair world.
Also, back then Foreman's reputation was more of a brute, rude dude than the fun, easy-going fellow he turned into in elder days. So as a young lad in 1974, it was an obvious pick to cheer on Ali. Especially as he was the underdog (we always cheer on the underdog, don't we?). We had seen Ali struggle against Frazier and Norton, we had seen Foreman demolish Frazier and Norton, we feared and expected Foreman to demolish Ali.

What kind of meaning did this fight have for you?
Somewhat of a clich? but for a young teen spectator "there are no limits, everything is possible to achieve".
And, there is no such thing as a safe bet. Think twice before ********.

Did this fight change your image on the two boxers?
Ali underlined that improvisation is a valuable essence in life. In the opening round, Ali noticed that every time Foreman - a master in cutting off the ring - took one step, he himself was forced to take three or four in a ring that wasn't up to standard (soft floor and loose ropes). Foreman would tire him off if he didn't change strategy, so hit-and-move became rope-a-dope for the following rounds. A gamble, but the best way to survive.
More than Ali winning, it was Foreman losing. Whenever experts claim 'this guy will dominate the rings for years to come', I say to myself "nah ..."
In 1987, I could see Tyson having a short reign. When the right technician popped up, Tyson could be outboxed. A lesson learned from the Kinshasa fight - no man is unbeatable, not even in his prime.

Were you suprised when Muhammad Ali won?
More than surprised. Oddly, Ali once said he was seeing crocodiles flying in the air in the 5th round - he was on the verge of being KO'd. But in the same round, we on-lookers noticed the fight was shifting in his direction.

What went through you when he did?
Though 5am in Europe, and without any sleep that night, we started to party untill well into the afternoon. Similar to what took part in several places all around the world.

What is your opinion on George Foreman's depression after the fight?
Understandable. Not only did he realize he wasn't unstoppable (which probably a lots of young guys think they are), it must have been double pain losing to Ali because of Ali's pre-fight humiliation of every contender he faced. Foreman got his share, and Ali often ran it too far which was neither humorous nor sportsmanlike.
And I can believe Foreman had done better, or even winning the bout, if he and his corner hadn't believed in his invulnerability. He did blame his corner afterwards, for not slowing him down for a breather once or a while. If he had been pacing himself better, he might have been able to have his pressure last for all 15 rounds.

Great response, Ben Bolt.