Rumble in the Jungle anniversary: 40 years later…fate favours Foreman and forsakes Ali

Parkinson’s disease forces Ali backstage as his rival emerges from the shadows

WASHINGTON: In a reversal of roles, the outspoken Muhammad Ali won the ‘Rumble In The Jungle’ 40 years ago but has become a stricken, silent icon, while brooding slugger George Foreman has turned into an outgoing tycoon.

Parkinson's disease ended the snappy banter that was Ali's trademark. The man who once said "when you are as great as I am it is hard to be humble" no longer speaks in public and is rarely seen.

Foreman was an awkward, unloved figure when he lost his title on October 30, 1974. But he has evolved into a slick businessman selling barbecues and grills and speaking out as a champion for the 50-and-over set.

It has been a cruel fate for Ali, who had the world title taken away in 1967 for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War.

Ali used a ‘rope-a-dope’ strategy in Kinshasa and let Foreman, who had not needed more than two rounds to win or defend the crown, exhaust himself throwing punches. Ali flattened his rival in the eighth round.

He turned into a global symbol of greatness beyond sport, his fight for civil rights and social justice creating a legacy that saw him light the torch at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Even Foreman – who took 20 years to regain the crown – cannot deny the Ali force.

"Ali has always been bigger than boxing," said Foreman in an essay on his website. "I say boxing is too small for Ali. He changed the very world. No other boxer could do that."

Ali, now 72, has had to combat regular reports that he is critically ill, including this month.

"Don't believe the hype. Feeling great earlier today," tweeted Ali, along with photos of himself at a Louisville school and a Virginia resort.

Foreman’s astonishing turnaround

In 1994, wearing the same red trunks in which he had lost to Ali 20 years earlier, Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer to win the heavyweight crown aged 45, still the oldest champion in heavyweight boxing.

Foreman was stripped off the titles for not fighting mandatory foes but his point had been made.

He cited a healthy diet as a reason for his success, attracting the attention of a fat-reducing grill maker. One hefty endorsement deal later, Foreman signed a deal that is estimated to have brought him $200 million.

Foreman backed a line of large-sized men's clothing and most recently has been a spokesman for an inventor's group seeking people with ideas while making appearances around his home in Houston.