Muhammad Ali’s five greatest performances

Joe Frazier on Ali: ‘I hit him with punches that’d bring down the walls of a city. I can’t stand the man. There was no need for those insults, but I got to say, he’s got a giant heart and a strong chin.’

1) October 30, 1974: Eighth-round knockout win v George Foreman (WBA/WBC world heavyweight titles; Stade du 20 Mai, Kinshasa, Zaire/DRC)

One of a number of Ali bouts to transcend boxing, the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ is arguably his most astonishing performance. Not only was it the most famous example of his rope-a-dope strategy, but the build-up to the bout, its novel location and pre-fight predictions all added to the sense of drama.