Issue 158

September 2017

The year was 1976. Muhammed Ali was 12 months removed from winning the legendary Thrilla in Manila against Joe Frazier and was on something of a retirement tour.

So why did he break from going through the motions against overmatched opponents to fly to Japan and ‘fight’ pro wrestler Antonio Inoki? “Six million dollars, that’s why,” explained ‘The Greatest’.

Accounts vary about whether this was supposed to be a choreographed exhibition or a legitimate contest, but there is no denying it ended up being a complete debacle.

A sold-out crowd at Tokyo’s Budokan – and millions watching across the globe – saw the world heavyweight boxing champion throw a total of six punches in 15 rounds, while Inoki mostly laid on his back and kicked, cutting his opponent’s legs with the tips of his shoelaces.

This combat circus was declared a draw and both fighters left embarrassed, but considerably richer.