On this day October 30, 1974 fifty million people across the world watched as Muhammad Ali regained the heavyweight boxing title from current world champion George Foreman. Held in Kinshasa Zaire this was the first heavyweight title bout held in an African country. In perhaps the most dramatic scenario in boxing history, wrote the New York Times, Ali had regained the heavyweight title at the age of 32 by out-punching a 25 year old puncher who had recorded 24 consecutive knock outs in a previously unbeaten career. He accomplished it before 60,000 Zairians. . .in a spectacle that began at 4oclock in the morning. Despite his prefight rantings about floating like a butterfly, Ali did not dance in the ring during the fight. Instead he pouded Foreman with stinging punches. That was the surprise. That was the trick, claimed Ali after the match. What you saw was the power of Allah in helping me win. That must have been Allah in there because I cant punch. My hands were so sore from Frazier and Norton, I needed Novocain. But they were good this time. Im not known for being a little hitter. Can you picture me making George Foreman helpless? That he did, knocking out Foreman in the eighth round. Sports Illustated named Ali the 1974 Sportsman of the Year. Four years later, Ali defeated Leon Spinks, become the first boxer in history to regain the heavyweight title two times. Despite his preflight rantings The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life. --Muhammad Laila Ali youtube/watch?v=YJphXRp0sRIyoutube/watch?v=YJphXRp0sRI
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 05:23:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015