Muhammad Ali regained his title of heavyweight boxing champion of the world on this day in history, Oct. 30, 1974, after winning the 'Rumble in the Jungle' vs. George Foreman in Zaire.
Boxer Muhammad Ali was declared the heavyweight champion of the world after he defeated George Foreman in the 'Rumble in the Jungle' on this day in history, Oct. 30, 1974. The 'Rumble in the Jungle' took place in Kinshasa, Zaire — and featured 32-year-old Ali and 25-year-old Foreman. Ali was previously the heavyweight champion, but he lost his title in 1967 after he refused to join the military.
Ali's trainers called this the 'rope-a-dope' strategy because Ali was a 'dope' for even trying it, said the History Channel. Ali's novel 'rope-a-dope' tactic proved successful — and the risky endeavor paid off. Foreman's punches began to become less and less intense as the fight went on, and by the fifth round of the fight, he was visibly fading. 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can't hit what his eyes can't see.