Rumble: Ali/Foreman and The Soul of '74

Episode 4: UNDISPUTED CHAMPION

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Episode notes

 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)

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