Video: 'George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali - Oct. 30, 1974 - Entire fight - Rounds 1 - 8 & Interview'

(Wednesday, October 30, 1974, 4:00 a.m. West Africa Time) — Muhammad Ali made history today, becoming only the second boxer ever to reclaim the world heavyweight championship, delivering a stunning eighth-round knockout to George Foreman under the early morning African sky in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo).

The 32-year-old Ali, defying expectations, felled the unbeaten 25-year-old Foreman with a decisive left-right combination. The staggering blow sent Foreman crashing to the canvas, unable to rise in time as referee Zack Clayton counted him out at 2:58 of the round.

The fight, held at the 20th of May Stadium (now Stade Tata Raphaël) and witnessed by nearly 60,000 fervent fans chanting “Ali, bomaye” (“Ali, kill him”), cemented Ali’s legacy in one of the most extraordinary chapters of his career.

The fight was Ali’s first in Africa, and the bout itself, dubbed the “The Rumble in the Jungle,” saw both fighters earning $5 million, a historic purse for the first heavyweight title fight on the continent.

In a departure from his trademark “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” strategy, Ali absorbed Foreman’s most powerful punches, leaning into the ropes to conserve energy and lure Foreman into wearing himself down.

By the eighth round, Foreman’s legs grew unsteady, and Ali unleashed a lethal combination that sent the reigning champion sprawling.

Foreman struggled to his feet but was too late to beat the count.

“Foreman was humiliated,” Ali said afterward. “I told you I was going to jab him in the corners, take his punches, and outlast him. He had no skill; he didn’t like to be hit.”

Video: '"The Rumble in the Jungle" Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman 30.10.1974'

This victory marks Ali’s 45th win out of 47 fights, with 32 knockouts.

Despite earlier setbacks against Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, Ali proved once again why he remains one of boxing’s most controversial and captivating figures.

He is now the second man after Floyd Patterson to reclaim the heavyweight crown. Patterson initially lost his title to Ingemar Johansson in 1959, only to reclaim it with a knockout the following year.

Foreman, who had devastated opponents such as Frazier and Norton in previous bouts, expressed respect for Ali despite the loss.

“I lost the fight, but I was not beaten. He’s now the champion, and he must be respected,” said Foreman, who had previously demolished Frazier, Joe Roman, and Norton in a combined total of just over 11 minutes across three bouts.

Though Ali hinted this might be his last fight, he avoided confirming retirement plans.

“Foreman was scared, and I don’t know if a rematch is worth it. I’ll need $10 million before I even consider it.”

Meanwhile, at ringside, former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier — who had split two previous bouts with Ali — expressed eagerness for a rematch of his own. “I’m ready for him,” Frazier said. “I know how to fight him now.”

The fight began with Foreman aggressively pinning Ali to the ropes in the early rounds, but Ali’s ability to absorb the punishment proved pivotal.

Ali taunted his rival throughout, refusing to wilt under Foreman’s onslaught. After a series of powerful jabs and a sudden flurry in the middle rounds, it became clear that Foreman’s relentless pursuit had left him vulnerable.

Foreman, known for his sledgehammer punches, simply could not overpower Ali, who had meticulously trained to withstand the champion’s brutal style. As the fight progressed, Ali’s rope-a-dope tactic proved genius, with Foreman growing visibly weary as he lunged at Ali with less force and precision.

The drama heightened in the sixth round when a Zairian boxing official attempted to tighten the ropes that Ali had been using to lean against, only to inadvertently loosen them.

Ali, realizing the danger, shifted his tactics and dominated the rest of the fight with well-timed jabs and combinations that left Foreman reeling.

Ali’s confidence never wavered. At the end of the third round, he playfully strolled to the cameras and made faces, while Foreman sat on his stool, clearly frustrated.

By the eighth round, Foreman’s exhaustion was apparent, and Ali capitalized, delivering the final blow in one of boxing’s most iconic moments.

The triumph solidifies Ali’s place among the greatest fighters in history and marks yet another unpredictable turn in the storied career of boxing’s most charismatic champion.