Keith Clinkscales holds more than 30 years of experience as a media executive of Shadow League Digital, a multi-platform sports media company partnered with ESPN. Under the guidance of founder and CEO Keith Clinkscales, Shadow League Digital has produced a number of culturally-driven sports documentaries and television specials, including Muhammad Ali 70 Special.
Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday was a special celebration that gave family, friends, fans, and members of the boxing and sports community a chance to show their admiration for the world champion and cultural icon. Attendees included one of Ali’s most infamous opponents, George Foreman.
Ali and Foreman met in the ring only once, though the “Rumble in the Jungle” is often cited as one of, if not the, most famous boxing matches of all time. Held in 1974 at Stade du 20 Mai in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it was to be Foreman’s third defense of both the WBC and WBA World Heavyweight titles. Ali had not lost the heavyweight championship; rather, he had been stripped of the title for refusing to join the United States Army seven years prior.
Meanwhile, the 1968 Olympic gold medalist, Foreman, had already handled Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, establishing himself as the overwhelming favorite against Ali. However, Ali proved both his skill and endurance in the match, tiring Foreman for seven rounds before landing a TKO in the eighth and reclaiming the championship.
Foreman did not simply attend Ali’s 70th birthday event, but also he used the opportunity to express his belief that countries around the world should set aside a day to commemorate Ali’s achievements both inside and outside the ring. “There should be a Muhammad Ali Day in America,” he said, “because he will go down as one of the great American heroes.”
Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday was a special celebration that gave family, friends, fans, and members of the boxing and sports community a chance to show their admiration for the world champion and cultural icon. Attendees included one of Ali’s most infamous opponents, George Foreman.
Ali and Foreman met in the ring only once, though the “Rumble in the Jungle” is often cited as one of, if not the, most famous boxing matches of all time. Held in 1974 at Stade du 20 Mai in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it was to be Foreman’s third defense of both the WBC and WBA World Heavyweight titles. Ali had not lost the heavyweight championship; rather, he had been stripped of the title for refusing to join the United States Army seven years prior.
Meanwhile, the 1968 Olympic gold medalist, Foreman, had already handled Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, establishing himself as the overwhelming favorite against Ali. However, Ali proved both his skill and endurance in the match, tiring Foreman for seven rounds before landing a TKO in the eighth and reclaiming the championship.
Foreman did not simply attend Ali’s 70th birthday event, but also he used the opportunity to express his belief that countries around the world should set aside a day to commemorate Ali’s achievements both inside and outside the ring. “There should be a Muhammad Ali Day in America,” he said, “because he will go down as one of the great American heroes.”