Featured Exhibit

At 4 A.M. at the Stade du 20 Mai, a crowd of roughly 70,000 fans anxiously awaited the emergence of Ali and Foreman. Before the fighters strutted out, a group of Zairian dancers took the stadium floor to entertain the audience. Once the dances finished, Ali burst into the stadium wearing his white robe embroidered with African iconography, based on traditional Kuba design; it consisted of triangles and ornate shapes. Ali was escorted by his entourage and Zairian authorities. As Ali climbed into the ring, the crowd boomed "Ali bomaye" strengthening his confidence and swagger.

Ali and the crowd awaited Foreman's walkout for several minutes, leaving officials to speculate that he was trying to psych Ali out. Yet, there was no sign of fear in Ali, only conviction, strength, and confidence. Little did they know, Foreman was conducting his typical pre-fight prayer ritual. 

Foreman finally jogged out in a nonchalant and carefree manner in his red, white, and blue robe; there was a mixture of cheering and booing. Upon entering the ring, he maintained his calm, stoic, and relaxed posture, yet it was clear he felt just as confident as Ali.

Both the American and Zairian national anthems preceeded the fight and as soon as they finished, Ali began to hype up the crowd by standing on the ropes, flapping his right arm up and down chanting "Ali bomaye" resulting in resounding echoes from the crowd. Next to him, Foreman punched into the air, also trying to engage the crowd yet fell short in comparison.

As the fighters moved into their corners, Ali danced and bellowed insults at Foreman, attempting to get in his head. Foreman barely twitched a muscle. 

Muhammad Ali in the Ring Photograph, 1974