![]() This book explores the lead-up to the match and the seedy underbellies of both the boxing and wrestling businesses. In 1976, Japanese professional wrestler and all-round bad ass Antonio Inoki battled the Greatest of All Time, boxer Muhammed Ali in a wrestler vs. Gross also introduces us to Inoki, the most famous face in Japan who was instrumental in shaping modern mixed martial arts. Inoki, author Josh Gross gets inside Ali’s head leading up to the match by resurrecting pre-fight interviews. ![]() Bizarre plans to save” Ali if the fight got out of hand were even concocted. Egos, competing interests, and a general sense of apprehension over what would happen in the ring led to hodgepodge rules thrown together at the last minute. ![]() The unique contest was controversial and panned by wrestling and boxing supporters alike, but the real action was behind the scenes. On June 26, 1976, Muhammad Ali fought in a mixed-rules contest against iconic pro wrestling champion Antonio Inoki for the so-called martial arts championship of the world.” Broadcast from Tokyo to a potential audience of 1.4 billion in 34 countries, the spectacle foreshadowed and, in many ways, led to the rise of mixed martial arts as a major sport. Muhammad Ali, June 14, 1976, The Tonight Show I’m not here in this time of my life to come out with some phony action. Named one of the "40 Best Books of 2016" by The New York Post ![]()
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