George Foreman is set to to travel to The Democratic Republic of the Congo in early 2011 to film a documentary about the Rumble in the Jungle. Fingers crossed, I'll be going too so I'll keep you posted with updates. I'm sure most here would have seen the excellent When We Were Kings, but I think it will be fascinating to hear the story of the fight from Big George's perspective.
I was listening to an old interview of Foreman the other night and he openly admitted that he didn't admit defeat to Ali like a man until later on. He blamed everything and everyone and not himself, which he finally did. Listening to him made me actually think he was in awe of Ali. If you go to the stadium you may have to pay a bribe because people are squatting/living in the place, and Foreman's dressing room seems to be guarded for some reason.
in what capacity do you get to go over? i am quite jealous, it would be an experience of a lifetime. Big George is a great talker, great man with plenty to say.
It's being produced by CWH Promotions. They are the company who brought over Ali, are doing the current Tyson and Hearns/Duran tours and the big Night of Champions show next year. I am currently working with them and some of the other companies in their group in a promotional capacity. They are also backing the British Boxing Hall of Fame.
Saw the same interview the other night on ESPN. On one of their 15 minute shorts. First time I'd seen that interview. Where he said the defeat didnt hurt him as much as the fact that he couldnt understand why, after he hit Ali, he was still there? Great interview by George. Everything I've seen of the man, he comes across as a real gent. A true professional. Sounds like a great documentary as, in my opinion, George is one of the few in the game that has no real agenda when he talks about things. Straight to the point and 100% honest. Jealous LC and look forward to the updates!
Only thing is there wasn't an original "Thrilla in Manila" from an Ali perspective. That doc was more from the rivalry point (which Ali/Foreman never had) and was based on the book "Shadows of Manila" written by Mark Kram, a writer who turned on Ali. The brillient "when we were kings" film wasn't necessarily from an Ali perspective or purely an Ali doc either.
Not sure if everyone saw this article about the stadium the Rumble took place in http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8966743.stm
Nowt to do with luck mate, LC has been working very hard and passionately at what he loves. He deserves his breaks.
Keep us posted Longcount, the Will Smith Rumble film was only on last night ( i know, i can't event remember what it was called) and i was decrying the lack of a full length Foreman docu.
Was it just called Ali? I am a dumb **** at times. No, it wasn't that well made but i just felt like watching a film/feature documentary from the other side throughout. Enough has been written but i want 2 hours solid and well pieced together from the other side.
The Ali film staring Will Smith was a pile of shite, an attempt to try and get Smith an oscar rather then making a great movie. I think it was Spike Lee who said, how do you manage to make one of the most exciting personalities of the century seem soo boring. The sad thing is they've ruined the chance of someone else doing it now. Besides an Ali biopic was far too early.