Ali inoki

Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki - ali inoki died last week aged 79 - took on boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a bizarre hybrid fight inwhich had 1. In one corner, the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world, the Greatest Of All Time. In fact, the much-hyped fight went down as the most disappointing duel in both boxing and wrestling history, ali inoki.

Crossover boxing maybe commonplace in boxing's modern era, but it is something which also occured before the turn of the millennium. One example being in when Japanese wrestling star Antonio Inoki faced the undisputed world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in Japan. In a fight billed as 'The War of the Worlds', Inoki wanted to prove that wrestling was the premier combat discipline and a win against boxing's biggest name would go a long way in cementing that claim. Antonio Inoki came flying out the blocks in round one, sliding at the legs of Muhammad Ali who sidestepped the attack. This was allowed under the special rules created for the contest. Throughout the first seven rounds Inoki targeted Ali's legs in an attempt to get the world heavyweight champion on the canvas, but the American was able to dodge these efforts effectively. The first knockdown of the contest was scored by Inoki in round seven who after being caught with a long jab, sent Ali down with a sweeping kick.

Ali inoki

Warning: this piece is 4, words long. If you don't think you can get away with pretending to work while you read for that long, you might want to print it out and read it on the train home later. Picture Muhammad Ali. Standing snarling over Sonny Liston? Shadow boxing on the bottom of a swimming pool? Leaning into the ropes as George Foreman pummels his kidneys? Stooping, shaking, to light the Olympic flame? How about Ali flapping about on the canvas while an 18 stone wrestler sits on his face? Who wants to remember Ali that way? There are some things a person should never have to see happen to a man like Ali.

Mildenberger Ali vs. In38 years after his wrestling debut, Inoki retired.

It was quite a vivid description of his boxing style as well: at his best, Ali would combine his stinging jabs and long right hands with his superb footwork to create a style that had no parallels up to that day and remains unique even today. But right in the middle of one of his finest years in the boxing ring he made the unwise decision of attempting something completely unusual in exchange for a huge purse at that time. MMA bouts, with very murky rules. Ali left attempts to evade kicks from wrestler Antonio Inoki. Photo by AP. With a worldwide audience estimated in 1. As the bell sounded, Inoki charged through the ring to attack Ali but then dropped on his back onto the canvas and proceeded to start kicking Ali on his legs, especially his left leg, in one of the weirdest scenes in combat sports history.

Muhammad Ali vs. At the time, Ali had come off a knockout victory over Richard Dunn in May and was the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion. Inoki, who had been taught catch wrestling by wrestler Karl Gotch , was staging exhibition fights against champions of various martial arts , in an attempt to show that pro wrestling was the dominant fighting discipline. The fight itself, which was fought under special rules , is seen as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts MMA. The result of the fight, a draw, has long been debated by the press and fans. The fight was refereed by Gene LeBell. Ali characteristically bragged to Hatta: "Isn't there any Oriental fighter who will challenge me? I'll give him one million dollars if he wins". The deal was struck in March , and the fight was scheduled for June 26 at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan.

Ali inoki

Ali, who died in at the age of 74 , is third inductee of this year's class, joining Paul Heyman and Bull Nakano. Even with all of his accolades in and out of the boxing ring, Ali also made notable impact in the professional wrestling world. In the very first WrestleMania in , Ali served as the special guest referee for the main event tag team match between Hulk Hogan and Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff.

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While standing over the referee, looking concerned, Inoki would knock him out with an enzuigiri or a roundhouse kick to the head. Knowing his chance had waned, Inoki still threw a back elbow strike to Ali's face while action was being stopped, gaining a warning and a point deducted by LeBell due to the boxer's protests. Stooping, shaking, to light the Olympic flame? Antonio Inoki and I put our best efforts into making world peace through sports, to prove there is only one mankind beyond the sexual, ethnical or cultural differences. Anyone thrown out of the ring would have 20 seconds to get back in. Catch wrestling , karate. You would never have known the fight was a gyp, but then maybe Ali and Inoki would rather keep it that way. Inoki actually tripped him to the canvas twice. He was also forced to stop the match several times to reapply tape onto the tip of Inoki's right boot. The fight, such as it was, was scored as a draw. Archived from the original on September 20, Robinson Clay vs. Follow Us. In , Inoki established his own political group, the Sports and Peace Party.

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Before the two could square up, Inoki threw another lunging kick, missed again, and landed flat on his back. Powered by WordPress. Ali then landed a stiff left jab at the very end of the round. Whicker's World episode a. As Ali arrived in Tokyo, the hype grew louder. Moeru Toukon Burning Fighting Spirit. The result meant no one had to lose face; Inoki could claim he would have won had it not been for the penalties, whereas Ali could defend himself by saying his opponent had cheated. At Shea the Ali v Inoki fight would be the main event on a double-bill with a live bout between Check Wepner, who had gone 15 rounds with Ali the previous year, and Andre the Giant. Catch wrestling , karate. Ali can grapple or punch the man down; Inoki is not allowed to leg-dive or tackle. Ali would stoop over the ref in concern, and while he was distracted Inoki would knock him down with a kick to the head. Inoki destroyed Ruska, battering him into a TKO with "a succession of three consecutive back suplexes". Facebook Twitter. Matt Roper Features Writer. The contenders exchanged taunts, goading each other to meet in their respective field of expertise.