Rumble: Ali/Foreman and The Soul of '74

UNDISPUTED CHAMPION

In their epic showdown, “The Fight of the Century,” Muhammad Ali takes on the Champ, Smokin’ Joe Frazier. It’s a stunning exhibition of strength, pain, and violence. Their fight is covered by many great writers, who transform Ali into an avatar of the age as they celebrate his ascendance as the People’s Champ. A new boxing contender enters the scene: the giant George Foreman while Miriam Makeba wins hearts as she’s dubbed Mama Africa by her fans.   REFERENCE MATERIALS: "Ali: A Life" by Jonathan Eig "The Fight" by Norman Mailer "Ego" (Life magazine Cover Story, March 19, 1971) article by Norman Mailer "The Redemption of the Champion" (Life magazine, Sept 9, 1966), article by Gordon Parks "Shadow Box" by George Plimpton  "Ringside: A Treasury of Boxing Reportage" by Budd Schulberg  "The Greatest, My Own Story" by Muhammad Ali (autobiography) "Smokin’ Joe" by Joe Frazier and Phil Berger (autobiography) "Smokin’ Joe: The Life of Joe Frazier" by Mark Kram Jr.  "By George" by George Foreman (autobiography) Miriam Makeba FBI file (available online at: https://vault.fbi.gov/miriam-makeba)See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Fall 2024 marks 50 years since both the legendary Rumble in the Jungle fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and the Zaire’ 74 music festival, headlined by the likes of James Brown, BB King, Miriam Makeba and myriad other stars.
 
Muhammad Ali’s life bobs and weaves through an era of revolutions and disruptive social change in both the US and Africa. In the lead up to this highly politicized superfight, Ali and many other freedom fighters are forced to confront old truths and build bridges toward understanding while they learn to wield the power of influence and sacrifice. Featuring personal accounts of the monumental effort it took to put on these events, Rumble walks backstage with a staggeringly powerful group of fighters, performers, producers and activists, uplifting the legacy of Black Excellence.