January 16, 2021 Sports, Rock & Roll and Americana Auction

Offered is a tougher closed circuit TV fight poster for the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” World Heavyweight Championship fight between reigning Champ George Foremand and former Champion Muhammad Ali. The fight took place in Kinshasa, Zaire, in central Africa, on Wednesday, October 30, 1974, at 4:30 a.m., but with the time change it was broadcast live in the United States the night before, on October 29. The offered poster has an “OCTOBER 29” date snipe adhered over the original air date of September 24. Eight days prior to the originally schedule fight date, Foreman was cut above his right eye during sparring—the wound required a number of stiches--and the fight was delayed. Against all odds, 32-year old underdog Ali won the fight in the 8th round. His rope-a-dope strategy of letting Foreman tire himself out by throwing huge numbers of basically ineffetive punches while Ali was leaning on the ropes contributed to his strategy. Ali also kept Foreman off balance in the first round when he came out throwing a series of right hands at Foreman, without the normal left jab combo. Of course, throuh it all, Ali's powerful jabs and counters were pummeling Foreman's face. The total affect wore down the Champion and made him vulnerable to a blistering combination of six punches in the 8th round that sent him to the mat. Ali took punches from Foreman that no boxer was supposed to be able to endure, and his overall strategy put him in better position to win and regain his Heavyweight Title for the final time. The poster's original, neon-yellow ink has faded somewhat, but its original bright lustre can still be seen at the edges of the date snipe. On the front in faded ink is written “Ali, K.O. 8th Round.” On the reverse are written two accounts sof the fight, by two former owners of the fight, perhaps, the first is a scathing review: “Ali won in a fixed match I thought. What seemed impossible he knocked out George Foreman in 8thround. I won 1 dollar but I was really for Foreman.” The second account reads “I saw the fighton ABC's Wide World of Sports 1/5/75. Foreman looked sick. No power in his punch. Ali suckered him. Took his blows, layed on the ropes, tired him out. The did the do in the last seconds of the 8th round.” The poster on measures 13 ½ x 18 inches and presents with moderate fading (you can still see the original bright yellow color of the printing below the date snipe), wrinkling, edge wear. Excellent condition.