The Original King of Trash Talk: Muhammad Ali Annihilates George Foreman on the Mic

Muhammad Ali shook the world when he knocked out George Foreman in front of 1 billion viewers on October 30, 1974, at the famous ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ event. The fight didn’t even go the distance, as Ali grabbed the win in the eighth round and did exactly what he said he would before the contest.

Despite being the underdog, Muhammad Ali had constantly chipped himself over Foreman. However, none of the boxing pundits or fans paid much attention to him because ‘Big George’ was leading the odds. Everyone believed that it would be an easy night for Foreman.

However, Ali beat the odds and Foreman by unveiling one of his greatest performances of all time. This further makes his pre-fight interviews special because Ali had predicted the results much before.

It has been 46 years since the fight, but boxing fans still recall it like yesterday. Here’s how Ali spoke the words and stood by it on fight night.

Muhammad Ali said the words and did the same inside the ring

Before the fight, Ali gave several interviews and gave his opinion. Meanwhile, he also said one of the most famous lines of all time in boxing history. As he promised to beat Foreman Ali said, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Rumble, young man, rumble, and you tell all the writers out there in the New York City that the stage is set.”

He added, “No excuses about George wasn’t in shape. No excuses about he is worried about his cut out. No excuses about he was sleepy, because he didn’t get no rest because when I whoop this man I want to be declared by all as the greatest of all time because the stage is set.”

On the fight night, Foreman outclassed Ali for a brief moment. It seemed like he was having an upper hand in the fight, especially in the fifth and sixth round. However. Muhammad Ali turned the tables in the eight as he landed haymakers on ‘Big George’ to feed him to the canvas. As promised, Ali won the fight and cemented himself as the greatest in the sport.

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