Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Boxing

Photographer’s 48-hours with Muhammad Ali gives in-depth look at heavyweight training for ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974

, Photographer’s 48-hours with Muhammad Ali gives in-depth look at heavyweight training for ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974

MUHAMMAD ALI fought to regain the world heavyweight boxing title in October 1974 – eight years after being stripped of the belt for refusing the draft for Vietnam.

Ali faced the undefeated heavyweight champ and brutal knockout specialist George Foreman in Zaire, Africa – a fight that would go down in history as “The Rumble in the Jungle.”

Muhammad Ali on a 4.30am jog in preparation for his fight against George Foreman

In August, two months prior to the showdown, photographer Peter Angelo Simon was invited to experience Ali’s preparation for the fight at the Fighter’s Heaven training camp in Pennsylvania.

Over 48-hours, Simon took hundreds of pictures, which have been published as an 176-page photo essay entitled Muhammad Ali Fighter’s Heaven 1974, with previously unpublished photos of the fighter in isolated training in Orwigsburg.

During an interview with the LA Shorts International Film Festival, Simon remembered shooting 33 rolls over the two days at Fighter’s Heaven.

, Photographer’s 48-hours with Muhammad Ali gives in-depth look at heavyweight training for ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974

Muhammad Ali walking into a local Pennsylvania gym to participate in an exhibition match

, Photographer’s 48-hours with Muhammad Ali gives in-depth look at heavyweight training for ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974

Ali getting suited up for an exhibition fight

“I shot 33 rolls in two days. Ali said nobody had ever taken so many pictures of him. I believe these photographs reveal aspects of Ali’s fascinating character not previously seen,” Simon said.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The photographer, who at the time knew very little about boxing, quickly noticed that everywhere Ali went he was like “a magnet with iron filings, arranging themselves around him.”

Ali participated in an exhibition fight at a local Pennsylvania gym, with fans in awe at the sight of the former world heavyweight champion, taking photos of him, smiling, cheering and clapping.

Simon was surprised when he jumped into a car with Ali and unexpectedly drove to a nursing home.

The fighter was welcomed by the head of the home and toured through the facility meeting and greeting the elderly residences.

Simon vividly remembers the moment a nurse asked a resident if he knew who Ali was as the elderly man responded, “Yes, Joe Louis.”

, Photographer’s 48-hours with Muhammad Ali gives in-depth look at heavyweight training for ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974

Joe Frazier’s name painted on one of the boulders at Ali’s Fighters Heaven sanctuary

, Photographer’s 48-hours with Muhammad Ali gives in-depth look at heavyweight training for ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974

Muhammad Ali meeting the residents of a local nursing home

, Photographer’s 48-hours with Muhammad Ali gives in-depth look at heavyweight training for ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974

Peter Angelo Simon captured a picture of Ali laughing in his car

, Photographer’s 48-hours with Muhammad Ali gives in-depth look at heavyweight training for ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974

Ali’s shirt dipping with sweat after a five-mile run

A laughing Simon said, “Ali was kind enough and sophisticated enough to let it pass and let the man enjoy the fact that he had met the great fighter Joe Louis.”

On October 30, Ali, considered the underdog, knocked out Foreman in front of 60,000 people.

He famously used the rope-a-dope technique, in which one fighter lets their opponent punch themselves out by defending, leaving the aggressor tired.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

, Photographer’s 48-hours with Muhammad Ali gives in-depth look at heavyweight training for ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974

Muhammad Ali famously defeated undefeated heavyweight champion George Foreman in 1974, in Zaire, Africa

The heavyweight champ kept firing haymakers at Ali but failed to land a decisive punch.

Ali then went on the attack, landing an eighth round knockout over the faltering champion, marking an incredible comeback to the pinnacle of the sport.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

Key Matches and Career Highlights Former Premier League referee Phil Dowd, known for officiating key fixtures including FA Cup and League Cup finals, has...

Premier League

Major Shift at the Top Shock reports indicate that Todd Boehly will be replaced as Chelsea chairman after a five-year stint, as per an...

Premier League

Zidane Eyeing Premier League Move Zinedine Zidane, who has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, is open to joining a...

Premier League

Watford Legend Opens Up Troy Deeney has disclosed that he turned down a move to Aston Villa due to a peculiar clause in their...

Premier League

Arsenal and Tottenham vying for Wolves Winger Arsenal and Tottenham are gearing up for a showdown in the race to secure the signature of...

Golf

Augusta National, the prestigious golf club that hosts the Masters tournament every April, is known for its beauty and exclusivity. However, behind the scenes...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement