On October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali, at 32 years old, reclaimed the heavyweight championship for the second time by defeating the 25-year-old champion George Foreman in the eighth round of the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ held in Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali had previously lost his title seven years earlier due to government accusations of dodging the draft. This led to the revocation of his boxing license by the commission. His triumph in Zaire marked him as only the second former champion in history to regain the heavyweight title.

Michael Jai White, the American actor and martial artist, in a recent interview with DJ Vlad, explained what gave Ali the edge over Foreman. How important were their respective weights that titled the decision in the other person’s favor?

Michael Jai White on why Muhammed Ali had an upper hand

In White’s opinion, there isn’t a significant difference between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in terms of weight. On fight day, Ali weighed 214 pounds, while Foreman was 218 pounds, just a four-pound difference. However, what sets Ali apart is the speed and size of his legs. “They’re four pounds different in weight. One was 214, the other one was 218. Now on fight day they could have been the same. Ali could have been bigger. But Ali’s legs were definitely bigger than Foreman’s,” conveyed White.

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This detail is crucial because Ali, being a heavyweight, could move faster, giving him an advantage in the ring. People tend to overlook that Ali was often the larger fighter in the ring. His ability to move swiftly was due to his powerful and well-balanced legs.

In boxing, having such a well-built physique, especially in the legs, allowed Ali to move gracefully and float around the ring which is the thought that Michael Jai White conveyed. “He’s a big dude moving fast. Yeah, so that’s the thing, and his legs I mean Ali is balanced from head to toe and so for boxing. I’d say that’s a better build, for.. to move around that’s why he floated on his legs because they were powerful,” explained White.

What characterized Ali’s speed and footwork?

Boxing enthusiasts widely regard Ali as the fastest heavyweight in boxing history, showcasing mental and physical strength that proved overwhelming for his opponents. His speed, a paramount asset, was demonstrated in a Sports Illustrated test in 1969. Ali’s jab, measured with an omega scope, smashed a wooden board 16.5 inches away in just 4/100 of a second. Note that this is equivalent to the blink of an eye.

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Despite his size, Ali’s speed surpassed that of most lightweights, combining precision with rapid combinations. His footwork, marked by agility and efficiency, was a trademark, making it challenging for opponents to keep up. Ali’s iconic movement, encapsulated by his famous mantra “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee,” involved bouncing, shuffling, feinting, and pivoting in ways unconventional for heavyweights.

Ali’s genius skills inside the ring continue to spark discussions to this day. Do you agree with White’s analysis? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch This Story: Remembering this day in history, 30th October 1974 Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman’s Rumble in the Jungle