by JonathanSnowden on 16 August 2010, 12: 54 PM EDT in MMA historyWhile Zuffa is strongly hyping battle between James Toney and Randy Couture for the UFC 118 first clash of high profile between Boxer and martial artist in the history of MMA, actually have a handful of seminal competitions between sweet science and cage fighting best.The first and most influential, where did all the way back in 1976 and starred the best contender of all time, Muhammad Ali and the most famous wrestler pro Japan, Antonio Inoki. Fighter's Only divides it:
In 1976, "The Greatest" was in his second reign as world heavyweight champion.In the past two years had defeated similar George Foreman and Joe Frazier. On 26 June he engaged in battle with Japanese professional wrestler known as Antonio Inoki Arena in Budokan, Tokyo. All the wrong reasons their meeting would become almost as famous as "Rumble in the Jungle" and ' Thriller in Manila '.
The fight was actually should be professional wrestling match. While many in the media boxing contested decision Ali's to take in the match, professional wrestling are feeling its reputation was sully reason six million for him to do so. Before this fight Ali's boxing day was the biggest pay just 5 million. False pro wrestling match against Inoki could result in more than-without risk and sheet in head repeatedly. The plan was simple. Ali would dominate Inoki and make it bleed with punches.Data for a downed opponent, Ali ask judge to stop fighting while his back was turned, Inoki would strike copies it to the head of his Kick famous enzuigiri. Ali could look strong and be a hero, despite the loss. Inoki clause would be outside niche as foreign villian on planned tour of America's wrestling hotbeds.
Seemed to Ali like much fun. Went towards promoting bout and had a large quantity at the expense of yukks and its unusual appearance Inoki, especially his Chin mark Jay Leno-esque. Then something changed. Ali had thoughts seconds, started thinking his legacy and his reputation. Things went from simple overnight just strange, as explained Dave Meltzer:
The match was loading, with Ali loss.In the last minute Ali got cold feet and match almost fell apart. To save events, Inoki agreed for real, fight against a set of rules, which was close to walk in straitjacket. Inoki couldn't punching, because he was not wearing gloves. They could not kick while standing. He could not use casts or use of any statement.So he spent 15 rounds of laying on his back throwing kicks Ali's legs Match, officially called. draw was Farce, but in Japan it is one of the most famous games pro wrestling ever, as well as birth mixed martial arts.
At the time the show was a disaster.Bombed at the box and reputation Inoki was in shambles in its country of origin in Japan.Finally he would rebuild his image by adding other combat sports athletes justified to its list of victims of fighting and go down in history as one of the fathers of MMA.But that would be in time.
Ali never collected his six million Had to settle for. 2.1 million and was lucky to get even that, due to financial losses. worse physically was never the same. Inoki's 65 kicks leg had their passage. Ali was hosipitilzed after fight and never was again the same Boxer His legs were absent.-his mental faculties would follow quickly.
See great highlight fiasco Inoki-Ali. Jonathan s. Snowden, community organizer is the author of total MMA: Inside Ultimate Fighting and the coming Hari MMA.
Muhammad Ali vs Inoki before and after (via thierrykhanry)
Read more: james toney, muhammad ali, ufc 118, randy couture, antonio inoki, mma history, UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2
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