And so, with a powerful 7-punch combination, Ali recaptured the Undisputed Heavyweight title of the World. It was 4:00AM when the fight started in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). 8 rounds later, Foreman was floored for the first time in his career, and he simply could not get up in time. With this incredible win, Ali cemented his legacy as the one of the greatest boxers of all time, and as a beacon of light for those who found themselves in the darkest of places. He got past every trial and tribulation that was hurled at him and walked away okay. But as mush as we love the mushy stuff here at Athletes and Eras, it's time to talk history and strategy.
Ali knew that he would not be able to use his usual tactic of dancing around in the smoldering heat in Zaire. Instead, he hit Foreman with a right-hand lead numerous times, then retreated to the ropes and let Foreman punch and punch and punch. Eventually, Foreman wore himself out and was exhausted by the eighth round, allowing Ali to capitalize and get the knockout. This tactic, labeled the "Rope-a-Dope," would prove to be a good strategy against Foreman and other punchers of his era.
Ali would continue to fight until 1981, losing and winning his title a third time in 1978. This victory made him the first three-time heavyweight champion in history. Ali defeated every top fighter of his time, including George Foreman, Joe Frazier (2/3), Ken Norton (2/3), Jerry Quarry (2x), George Chuvalo (2x), Earnie Shavers (considered to be the hardest puncher in all of boxing history) the list keeps going and going and going. As George Chuvalo has said: "There are just too many great fights to remember. But we all know at one point, he really was the Greatest."
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