HIBAPRESS-RABAT-Agencies
Fifty years ago, American boxer Mohamed Ali defeated George Foreman in Kinshasa in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” fight organized by businessman Don King, thus reclaiming the world heavyweight crown, knowing that this combat has marked the history of sport and popular culture.
Recalling that this fight took place on October 30, 1974 in Kinshasa, then called Zaire. Ali was stripped of his world heavyweight title in 1967 for refusing to enter military service during the Vietnam War. This match became a symbol of hopes for independence in Africa and the Black Power movement in the United States, making Muhammad Ali an icon of the fight for civil rights and social justice.
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali was a descendant of slaves from before the American Civil War. His boxing debut was in the 1950s, where he won a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. In 1964, he became world heavyweight champion by defeating Sonny Liston. Shortly after his victory, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. However, in 1967 his career was put on hold when he refused to join the army, citing his religious beliefs. Although he was sentenced to five years in prison for failing to comply with the appeal, he remained free pending his appeal, which was ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court in 1971.
The fight between Ali and Foreman in Kinshasa was a historic confrontation. Despite his opponent’s size and youth, Muhammad Ali used his experience and strategy, later known as “rope-a-dope.” By absorbing Foreman’s blows, he managed to knock him out in the eighth round, under the oppressive heat of Kinshasa, thus recovering his title of world heavyweight champion.
