October 30 1974
“Ali Boom I ay!” “Ali Boom I ay” “Ali kill him!” translated into English. The cheers ring round a Kinshasa stadium sitting in the heart of Africa – now the Democratic Republic of Congo. The humidity adds to the atmosphere as the heavyweight champion of the world and overwhelming favourite George Foreman waits in his corner, ready to fight former champion Muhammad Ali, the hostile crowd and potentially the Zaire rainy season.
The fight is for the heavyweight championship of the world, but far more is at stake, a fight between two Americans has become more than just a boxing match. Each fighter represents something to the Africans and people around the world; Foreman, rightly or wrongly represents America, the ‘institution’ and Ali, the underdog, represents Africa, ‘the people’. But how did this happen? Let’s go back and find out.
