Muhammad Ali, a 4-1 underdog at 32 years old, defeated unbeaten heavyweight champion George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali employed his famous "rope-a-dope" tactic — absorbing Foreman's punches on the ropes — until Foreman was exhausted, then knocked him out in round eight.
The most strategically brilliant performance in heavyweight boxing history.
Why It Matters