by Josh Gross
vs. Coopman (1976), 104
vs. Daniels (1962), 74
vs. Dunn (1976), 15, 106, 109, 112
vs. Foreman (1974), 99, 101, 160, 161, 172, 187, 275, 277
vs. Frazier (1971), 160, 161
vs. Frazier (1975), 2, 99–103, 216, 225, 273
vs. Holmes (1980), 275
vs. Jones (1963), 225
vs. Lavorante (1962), 84
vs. Liston (1964), 86
vs. Logan (1962), 74
vs. Mathis (1971), 112
vs. Moore (1962), 85
vs. Norton (1976), 109, 112, 216, 230, 274
vs. Shavers (1977), 274
vs. Spinks (2/15/1978), 262, 274
vs. Spinks (9/15/1978), 262, 275
vs. Terrell (1967), 190
vs. Warner (1962), 64
vs. Wepner (1975), 172, 173
vs. Young (1976), 105, 106
weight, 84, 103, 105, 106, 275, 276
wrestling and martial arts, interest in, 3, 5, 18, 121, 241
wrestling matches prior to Inoki fight, 115, 177
“Ali Bomaye” (song), 277
Ali vs. Inoki fight, 142, 143
announcement of, 4, 8, 104, 105, 113, 114
arena, 13. See also Nippon Budokan Hall
arrival of Ali in Tokyo, 1, 2, 119–122
blocking kicks, 205–208, 210
boxer vs. wrestler expectations, 3, 5, 8, 18, 179
cheap shots by Inoki, 191, 193, 196, 197, 209
clinches, 208, 209, 214
closed-circuit telecast, 4, 8–11, 14, 15, 113–114, 116, 152, 159–164, 167, 174–179, 185, 200, 216, 219, 220, 229
coaches and seconds for Ali, 182– 185, 189, 191, 196, 197, 199, 205, 208, 211, 216, 217
coaches and seconds for Inoki, 182–184, 186, 206
confidence of Ali, 206
confidence of Inoki, 198
contract, 104, 105, 116, 126–129, 160
crab-like stance by Inoki, 185, 186, 191
crowd reactions, 181–183, 186, 187, 190, 192, 194–196, 199, 200, 202, 204, 212, 215, 219, 220
decision, 218
earnings from, 113
entrance into ring, 182, 183
face-saving plan, 153, 154
floor, fighting from by Inoki, 186–196, 198, 204, 211, 218, 231, 272
foot of Inoki, twisting by Ali, 205
fouls, 117, 128, 192, 196–198, 209, 210
frustration of Ali, 189, 190, 192, 197, 203, 222
frustration of Inoki, 211, 215
garments, 12, 117, 182, 183, 188, 200
gloves, 116, 117, 124, 157, 183, 184, 217, 224
groin, kicks to, 128, 190, 191, 193, 195, 209, 210
handshake after last round, 215
handshake before last round, 212
injuries to Ali’s legs, 186, 190–192, 194–196, 198–208, 211–212, 216, 220–222, 225–226, 229, 232
injuries to Inoki, 211
introduction of fighters, 183
jabs by Inoki, 211, 214
Japanese response to, 224
kicks by Ali, 185, 198, 199, 214
kicks by Inoki, 142, 185–192, 194–196, 199–211, 213, 214, 218, 232
legitimacy of, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 113, 114, 122–124, 152–154, 220, 221, 273
low kicks, 191, 210, 213, 232, 241
meanness of Ali, 189, 190
odds, 11
officials, 13, 14, 33, 116–117, 143, 154, 183–184, 188, 191–193, 197, 209–210, 218, 219. See also LeBell, “Judo” Gene
opinions on, 215–218, 226, 271–273
Pearl Harbor references, 120, 121, 152
play-by-play commentary, 185–188, 193–196, 198–199, 201–203, 205, 207, 209, 210, 212–213, 217. See also Bannister, Frank
post-fight comments by Ali, 217, 218, 222
post-fight comments by Inoki, 223, 224
pre-fight appearance on The Tonight Show, 4–7, 273
pre-fight final preparations, 12, 13
preparation for, 6, 15, 105
press conferences in Japan, 121–123
press conferences in the U.S., 104, 105, 122, 139
promotion week, 1, 2, 113–116
publicity, 112–116
punches by Ali, 191, 193, 198, 199, 203–206, 210–215
purse, 7, 113, 123, 222, 228, 229
reactions to, 215–217, 252, 253, 256
referee, 33, 116, 117, 143, 154, 183, 184, 188, 191–193, 197, 209, 210, 218, 219. See also LeBell, “Judo” Gene
robes, 182, 183
ropes and corners, Ali’s use of, 184, 191–192, 196–197, 204, 205, 208, 209, 211
Round 1, 184–186
Round 2, 186–188
Round 3, 188–191
Round 4, 191–193
Round 5, 193–195
Round 6, 195–198
Round 7, 198–200
Round 8, 200, 201
Round 9, 202, 203
Round 10, 203, 204
Round 11, 205, 206
Round 12, 206–208
Round 13, 208–211
Round 14, 211, 212
Round 15, 212–214
rules for, 3, 4, 14, 33, 104, 105, 116–117, 123, 125–128, 183, 184, 195–197, 201, 207, 240, 253, 273
scoring, 214, 218, 219
shoes of Inoki, issues with, 188, 199–201
strategy of Inoki, 185, 186, 189, 190, 195, 200, 202, 203, 217, 218, 224, 239
stumbles and falls by Ali, 185, 194, 196, 199, 200, 202
takedown attempts by Inoki, 208, 209, 214
taunting and insults by Ali, 44, 104, 119–123, 127, 143, 156, 157, 179, 180, 184, 186–189, 191–195, 198, 201
taunting by Inoki, 104, 123, 129
ticket prices, 8
training sessions in Japan, 121, 124, 125
United Press coverage of, 13
and U.S. relations with Japan, 120
weigh-in, 122, 137, 139, 155, 156
All Japan Pro Wrestling, 90, 166
American Wrestling Association, 115
Anderson, Dave, 229
Andre the Giant. See Roussimoff, André René (Andre the Giant)
Anjo, Yoji, 265, 266
Aragon, Art, 76, 78
Aresco, Michael, 250
Argüello, Alexis, 76
Armstrong, Henry, 76
Arum, Bob, 3, 4, 15, 106, 152, 161, 175, 229, 272
Austin, Steve, 96, 178
B
Baba, Shohei (“Giant”), 89, 90, 95, 126
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (movie), 277
Baisho, Mitsuko, 129
Balboa, Rocky, 9, 172
Banks, Sonny, 62–64, 85, 86
Bannister, Frank, 185–188, 193–196, 198–199, 201–203, 205, 207, 209–210, 212–213, 217
Barnett, Josh, 91, 94, 96, 257
Battle of the Network Stars (television show), 272
Battle Royal, 164, 165
Beck, Jim, 25, 27
Berbick, Trevor, 266, 276
Besmanoff, Willi, 61, 62
Blanchard, Joe, 165
Blassie, “Classy” Freddie, 134, 139
Ali’s entourage, 14, 114, 116, 119, 182, 211
arrival in Japan, 119, 120
early wrestling career, 66, 67
expectations for Ali vs. Inoki fight, 153, 154
fangs (dentures), 67
LeBell, Gene, friendship with, 145, 146, 148–150
LeBell, Mike, dislike of, 118, 149
Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks, 149
Pearl Harbor references, 120, 121, 152
pranks and cons, 150, 151
press conference in Japan, 121, 122
reaction to Ali vs. Inoki fight, 216, 217
“Sailor” nickname, 66
scheme to save face in Ali vs. Inoki fight, 153, 154
on talk shows with Ali, 6, 7, 114, 115
vs. Rikidōzan, 65–69, 148
vs. Wagner (1961), 40–44
vs. Wright (1963), 149, 150
as
wrestling “bad guy,” 67
Blassman, Frederick Kenneth, 66. See also Blassie, “Classy” Freddie
Bobick, Rodney, 124
Bomaye knee, 263
Bonventre, Pete, 102, 107
Boxers vs. judo players (judoka), 24–33
Boxers vs. wrestlers, 3, 5, 8, 17, 18, 20–24, 159–160, 179
Boxing
audiences, 72
betting, 72, 73, 255
clinching and holding, 29–32, 208, 209, 214
in Japan, 50
in Los Angeles, 70–85
mafia connections, 83, 84, 255
rules, 30–32
venues. See specific venues
Braverman, Al, 173, 174
Brazilian jiu-jitsu, 89, 92, 185, 234, 246
Brenner, Teddy, 62
Brown, Drew (“Bundini”), 137
Ali’s entourage, 13, 182, 183
Ali’s legs, care of during fight, 204, 206
coaching during fight, 185, 189, 191, 192, 194–196, 211, 212
expectations for Ali vs. Inoki fight, 3
reaction to fouls by Inoki, 209, 210
at weigh-in, 156
Brown, Jim, 241
Bruns, Bobby, 54–55
Budokan Hall. See Nippon Budokan Hall
Burns, Martin (“Farmer”), 19, 20, 36, 38, 39
Butterbean, 177, 178
C
Cage fighting, 246. See also Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Calhoun, “Haystacks,” 133
Caliguri, Frank, 253
Capitol Wrestling Corporation, 159, 167–168
Caplan, Bill, 76, 79–82, 118
Capouya, John, 43, 44
Carpentier, Édouard, 64
Catch-as-catch-can wrestling style, 19, 32, 36, 39, 48, 91–92, 234, 257, 264
Chacon, Bobby, 76
Chamberlain, Wilt, 241
Chargin, Don, 81, 82, 84
The Chinese Connection (movie), 238
Chochoshvili, Chota, 262, 263
Choshu, Riki, 93
Chow, Raymond, 242
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), 172
Clay, Cassius Marcellus, Jr., 40, 43, 86.
See also Ali, Muhammad
Clinching and holding, 29–32, 208, 209, 214
Closed-circuit telecast, 4, 8–11, 14, 15, 113–114, 116, 152, 159–164, 167, 174–179, 185, 200, 216, 219, 220, 229
Cobb, Tex, 243
Cohen, Mickey, 83, 84
Coleman, Mark, 232, 243
Cooke, Jack Kent, 81
Cooper, Henry, 86
Coopman, Jean-Pierre, 104, 105, 108
Coppers, 38
Corbett, Jim (“Gentleman Jim”), 19, 20, 31
Cosell, Howard, 115
Couture, Randy, 27
Cow Palace, 164
Cross training, 37, 234
Crume, Clarkson, 55
CV Productions, 253, 254
D
Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, 50, 52
Daley, Arthur, 45, 46
Daniels, Billy, 74
Daro, Jack, 70, 164
Daro, Lou (“Carnation Lou”), 70
Davie, Art, 246–250, 264, 267
Dávila, Albert, 76
Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, 108, 135, 136, 138, 244
Dempsey, Jack (“Manassa Mauler”), 8, 21–24, 33, 37, 100
DiBella, Lou, 250
DiBiase, Mike, 85
Didrikson, Babe, 71
DiMaggio, Joe, 241
Dixon, Joseph M., 23
Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE), 267, 268
Dugan, Johnny “Red Shoes,” 65, 66, 69
Dundee, Angelo
Ali’s early matches, 62, 63
Ali’s entourage, 13
as Ali’s trainer, 85, 86, 108, 125, 182
arrival in Japan, 119
coaching during fight, 188, 207
complaints to referee, 190, 192, 196
gloves, lacing and unlacing, 183, 217
injuries to Ali’s legs, checking, 195, 201, 204, 206
opposition to Ali vs. Inoki fight, 3
post-fight concerns about Ali’s legs, 226
and post-fight locker room interview of Ali, 221, 222
press tour in U.S. prior to fight, 116
reaction to fouls by Inoki, 196, 209
reaction to kicks by Inoki, 202, 208
ring entrance and introductions, 183, 184
rules for fight, 116, 125, 126
shoes of Inoki, inspection and taping of, 188, 199, 200
at weigh-in, 156
Dunn, Richard, 15, 106, 109, 112
Durán, Roberto, 76
Dutch kickboxing, 238, 239
E
Earthquake in Japan, 1, 2
Eaton, Aileen, 27, 69, 71–75, 81–84, 117–119, 130
Eaton, Alvah (Cal), 71
Ellis, Jimmy, 124
Enberg, Dick, 109
Endo, Kokichi, 13, 218
Enter the Dragon (movie), 237
F
Faber, Urijah, 233
Falcone, Dewey Lawes, 29
Fall Guys (Griffin), 35, 36
Fertitta, Frank, 251
Fertitta, Lorenzo, 251
Figg, James, 37
“Figg’s Fighting” style, 37
Firefly Project, 51, 52
Fitzsimmons, Bob (Fitz), 31
Foreman, George, 99, 101, 172, 180, 272, 275
Fraser, Don, 81, 82, 118
Frazier, Joe, 2, 99–101, 161, 180, 225, 244, 273
Frazier, Zane, 248
Frye, Don, 279
Fu-Go Weapon, 50–53
Fuji TV, 267, 268
Fujiwara, Yoshiaki, 263
Fujiwara Gumi, 263
Funaki, Masakatsu, 263, 264
Funk, Terry, 95, 166
Futch, Eddie, 100, 101
G
Gagne, Verne, 115
Garbutt, Frank A., 71, 73
Gibbons, Tommy, 24
Gloves
Ali vs. Inoki fight, 116, 117, 124, 135, 157, 183, 184, 217, 224
LeBell vs. Savage fight, 27, 30
open-handed, 254
Rhee’s gloves, 135, 254
Goju Ryu karate, 11
Gold Dust Trio, 35–40, 44, 57, 70, 258
Goodman, Bobby, 15, 100, 104, 106, 107, 111, 112, 137–139, 153, 156, 185, 188, 190, 225
Goodman, Murray, 104
Gordeau, Gerard, 249, 262
“Gorgeous George.” See Wagner, “Gorgeous” George (the Human Orchid)
Gorgeous George (Capouya), 43, 44
Gotch, Frank, 92
Gotch, Karl
background of, 92
and Barnett, Josh, 94, 257
catch-as-catch-can wrestling style, 39, 91, 92, 257
as coach for Inoki, 182–184, 190, 197, 199, 204, 206, 209–211
and Inoki, 90, 91, 95
and LeBell, Gene, 25, 92, 93
and Lee, Bruce, 236
at London Olympic Games, 92
name, derivation of, 92
and New Japan Pro Wrestling, 90, 91, 257
and Pancrase, 263, 264
pro wrestling career, 92, 93
reaction to Ali vs. Inoki fight, 215, 216
reputation, 93, 94
strength training and conditioning, 93, 125, 236, 257
work ethic, 93
Gracie, Hélio, 56
Gracie, Rickson, 257, 265–267
Gracie, Rorion, 247, 248, 250, 267
Gracie, Royce, 27, 246, 257
Graham, Billy (“Superstar”), 163
Graham, Eddie, 164
The Greatest (movie), 138, 277
Greb, Mel, 40, 41, 44
Gregory, Dick, 217
Griffin, Marcus, 35–37, 39
Groin, strikes to
Ali vs. Inoki fight, 128, 190, 193, 195, 209, 210
in UFC, 247, 248
Guard position, 92, 234
Gung fu, 235–237, 242, 246
Gunn, Tommy, 177, 17
8
H
Hall, John, 78, 275
Hansen, Stan, 9, 175, 178
Hargitay, Mickey, Jr., 132
Harris, Richard, 138
Hatta, Ichiro, 17
Hauser, Thomas, 41
Hearn, Chick, 275
Heeling, 22
Heels (bad guys), 67, 96
Hernández, Genaro, 76
Hernández, Rudy, 74–76, 276
Hip-and-leg control, 92, 234
Hirohito promotion, 169, 170
Hogan, Hulk, 96, 171
Holloway, Arthur (“Duke”), 77
Holmes, Ron, 113
Honda of Hollywood, 145–147
Hookers and hooking, 25, 38, 39, 264
Hope, Bob, 130, 242
Horiguchi, Tsuneo “Piston,” 50
Hoshino, Kantaro, 182
Hussein, Saddam, 278
Hussein, Uday, 278, 279
I
Inoki, Antonio, 137, 139–143
Ali, relationship with, 279, 280
Ali’s influence on, 277
Ali’s wedding, attendance at, 277
ambition to fight Ali, 87
celebrity status in Japan, 260, 261
charisma, 96
childhood and family, 88
coaches. See Gotch, Karl
confidence before fight, 15
energy level, 276
fame, 277
fight week promotion, 1, 2
Iraq, trip to, 278, 279
Islam, conversion to, 278
likability, 223
mixed martial arts contests, 258–262
mixed style fighting, 257, 258
move to Brazil, 88, 89
New Japan Pro Wrestling, 2, 90, 91, 113, 114, 125, 159, 169, 182, 257, 262, 267
pelican chin (protruding jaw), 96, 104, 122, 123, 183, 194, 231, 260
in politics, 278
popularity of, 95, 261, 96, 260
Pride Fighting Championship, 12, 267
pro wrestling, 89–91, 278
retirement, 263, 279, 280
as rule breaker, 87, 96, 97
as a shooter, 95, 97
training for fight with Ali, 224
training under Rikidōzan, 87, 89
vs. Andre the Giant, 258
vs. Chochoshvili, 262, 263
vs. Frye, 279
vs. Gotch, 91
vs. Jhara, 259
vs. Pehlwan, 258, 259
vs. Robinson (1975), 95
vs. Spinks, 262
vs. Wepner, 259, 260
vs. Williams, 261, 262
wife of, 129
Inoki, Kanji. See Inoki, Antonio
“Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye,” 277
International Boxing Club of New York, 84
International Fighting Championship, 256
International Karate Championships, 242
Iole, Kevin, 10, 11, 186, 220
Iraq, 278, 279
Is This Legal? (Davie), 247
Ishii, Kazuyoshi (Master Ishii), 266, 267
Ishizaka (Kim Dok Soo), 267, 268
Islam
Ali’s conversion to, 43, 86
Ali’s support of, 103, 244
Inoki’s conversion to, 278
Nation of Islam, 86, 103
Istaz, Karel, 92. See also Gotch, Karl
