Ali knocks out Foreman to regain the title.

Foreman v Ali - Kinshasa, Zaire, 1974

A war of words flared up in Africa between Ali and Foreman which exploded into the classic “Rumble in the Jungle”.

It was a great sporting contest which eventually spawned an Oscar-winning film.

Champion Foreman had grabbed the world title belt in Jamaica after demolishing Joe Frazier in less than two rounds.

An exhausted Ali had endured two strength-sapping bouts with Frazier both before and after Foreman destroyed Smokin’ Joe.

Don King had used all his persuading skills to convince the Zaire government to foot the bill for the fight in the capital Kinshasa - a cool $10million.

In the build-up to the fight, Foreman sustained a cut eye and the contest was postponed for a month leaving both fighters to stay on in Zaire.

Foreman became restless away from home but Ali became a big hit with the locals and even persuaded them to chant “Ali boma ye”, literally “Ali kill him”.

Ali also humiliated his rival by labelling him “The Mummy”.

When the fight started Ali surprised everyone by not using his normal dancing routine to stay out of trouble.

Instead he stayed on the ropes and absorbed punch after punch from Foreman.

He waited for Foreman to tire himself out before unleashing his left jab, which then controlled the fight.

Ali was able to finish off his rival with a couple of combinations, catching him with a final right on the side of the jaw.

Foreman collapsed to the canvas in the eighth and failed to beat the count, allowing a joyous Ali to confound the experts and regain the title.