Comments Thread For: The Rumble in the Jungle and boxing's dalliance with dictators

[BoxingUpdates]

Muhammad Ali's clash with George Foreman produced one of the great performances of all time - but also set a precedent that lingers today: Boxing will always take the money, no matter its provenance.
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[Marchegiano]

Well done Kieran. This was pretty interesting.


I am not sure Zaire was trying to "westernize" at that time. To my understanding boxing is experiencing the side effects of the Kingdom's decision to change the internal culture of their nation. More western media is being imported and normalized to influence the people so that Saudi Arabia is no long a PR nightmare for its trade partners.

I could totes be well off, but if that is the case it's kinda apples vs oranges. You right, they both fruit.

[remmy0112]

Fantastic article, very interesting read and very hard to argue anything you said. boxing needs a change from the alphabet belts mudding up what "champion" even means to so many top boxers avoiding challenges and deserving challengers in favor of more riches for an easier fight while maneuvering there careers around the twists and turns of gaining mandatory position. Boxing may need a dictator type to corral the corruption and politics which are out of control, but I don't know if Saudi Arabia is going to be the ones to do it because they will lose interest in upkeeping the "sport" once they've normalized relations with other countries and cleaned up there image (that doesn't mean cleaning up their act, just looking as if they did) and somehow I don't think that will take as long as necessary to actually clean up the sport.

[daggum]

mango mussolini loves boxing so hopefully he has lots of events to entertain him and us, whether we like it or not

[TonyRespectful]

Mmmmm,,,,maybe I won’t criticize Turkey anymore!Sheet could be fatal ! Hey Saudis ,I was only kidding !

[JULESLUPOWITZ]

It’s very easy to criticize great powerful people. Facts are it’s always been a rough, tough playing field to lead a nation or country. Heck, most people have trouble leading as politicians, big corporate worlds, big & small businesses, notwithstanding families and unlimited groups of all sizes & types. So? I may kid around or poke silliness at various great champs, their management, ruling bodies of boxing or even world leaders. But it’s worth clarifying that these forces always were here, in all shapes & forms. Turki Alalshikh is an example: People benefit by his boxing & other great entertainment he buys. Many may speak or write about him, negatively. Some referring to him as, “His Excellency”. More than likely he’s produced more good than bad on this earth. Regardless of how that’s achieved, the job’s getting done.

[JeBron Lamez]

It’s very easy to criticize great powerful people. Facts are it’s always been a rough, tough playing field to lead a nation or country. Heck, most people have trouble leading as politicians, big corporate worlds, big & small businesses, notwithstanding families and unlimited groups of all sizes & types. So? I may kid around or poke silliness at various great champs, their management, ruling bodies of boxing or even world leaders. But it’s worth clarifying that these forces always were here, in all shapes & forms. Turki Alalshikh is an example: People benefit by his boxing & other great entertainment he buys. Many may speak or write about him, negatively. Some referring to him as, “His Excellency”. More than likely he’s produced more good than bad on this earth. Regardless of how that’s achieved, the job’s getting done.

This is a joke, right?

[JeBron Lamez]

mango mussolini loves boxing so hopefully he has lots of events to entertain him and us, whether we like it or not

I will NOT stand idly by & let you disrespect Mango Mussolini without commending you on "Mango Mussolini" xD

[daggum]

It’s very easy to criticize great powerful people. Facts are it’s always been a rough, tough playing field to lead a nation or country. Heck, most people have trouble leading as politicians, big corporate worlds, big & small businesses, notwithstanding families and unlimited groups of all sizes & types. So? I may kid around or poke silliness at various great champs, their management, ruling bodies of boxing or even world leaders. But it’s worth clarifying that these forces always were here, in all shapes & forms. Turki Alalshikh is an example: People benefit by his boxing & other great entertainment he buys. Many may speak or write about him, negatively. Some referring to him as, “His Excellency”. More than likely he’s produced more good than bad on this earth. Regardless of how that’s achieved, the job’s getting done.

Yeah aren't rich people great. We need to thank them for all they do for us