by Josh Gross
J
Japan
organized crime, 47, 53, 58, 59, 256, 266–268
pro wrestling in (puroresu), 1, 8, 54–60, 65, 87, 240, 263, 264
World War II, preparation for and impact of on martial arts, 49–53
Japan Sumo Association, 48
Japan Vale Tudo (JVT), 265
Japan Wrestling Association (JWA), 89, 90
Japanese Amateur Wrestling Association, 17
Japanese Pro Wrestling Alliance, 56
Jay, Kenny, 115
Jeffries, Jeff (“Great White Hope”), 19, 20
Jhara, Zubair Alias, 259
Jhoon Rhee Taekwondo School, 225, 241. See also Rhee, Jhoon
Jigoro, Kano, 26
Jim Crockett Promotions, 171
Jimmerson, Art, 27
Jiu-jitsu, 26, 48, 89, 92, 185, 234, 243, 246, 260
The Joe Rogan Podcast, 265
Johnson, Jack, 19, 20, 31
Judo
Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships, 28
and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, 89, 92, 185, 234, 246
and clinch holds, 32
gi, 27, 30
history of, 26
Jigorō, Kanō, 26, 49, 50
judoka vs. boxer, 25, 26
LeBell, Gene. See LeBell, “Judo” Gene
Maeda, Mitsuyo, 26, 49, 89
and mixed martial arts, 242, 243, 246, 252
newaza, 246
Rousey, Ronda. See Rousey, Ronda
Sakaguchi, Seiji, 182
at U.S. Naval Academy, 48
K
K-1, 266, 267, 276
Kanda, Yukino, 266
Kanō Jigorō, 26, 49, 50
Karachi National Stadium, 258
Karasick, Al, 55
Karate
“Accu-punch, ” 108–110
gi, 29, 30
Goju Ryu, 11
International Karate Championships, 242
Kenpo, 25, 248
Kyokushin karate, 249, 261, 262, 266
and mixed martial arts, 242, 248, 250, 261, 262
in popular culture, 235, 236, 250
rules for Ali vs. Inoki fight, 116, 117, 125, 128, 224
in UFC bouts, 248, 249
Kayfabe, 39, 164
Kearns, Jack, 21, 24
Kendo, 50
Kennedy, John F., 64, 66
Kickboxing, 232, 233, 238–240, 249, 250, 276. See also Leg kicks
Kilroy, Gene, 138, 141
Ali’s entourage, 1
arrival in Japan, 1, 2, 119
medical care of Ali, 229, 275
opposition to Ali’s fight against Inoki, 3
opposition to trip to South Korea, 226
reactions during fight, 192, 198
rules negotiation, 126
at weigh-in, 156
Kimura, Masahiko, 56–58, 65
Kimura double wristlock (downward arm crank), 56, 73, 259, 262
King, Billie Jean, 272
King, Don, 161
King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero (Remnick), 271
Kissinger, Henry, 242
Kito, Osami, 259
Knievel, Evil, 272
Kohsaka, Tsuyoshi, 234
Korea, 48, 54, 55, 88, 89, 241, 242. See also South Korea
Kowalski, “Killer,” 95
Kumagai, Sokichi, 53
Kuramae Kokugikan, 57
Kyokushin karate, 249, 261, 262, 266
L
Lane, Dick, 66
Lavorante, Alejandro, 84, 85
Law, Tom, 21
LeBell, “Judo” Gene, 141–143
acting and movie stunt work, 14, 236, 237, 250
Ali, initial meeting (1962), 73, 74
appearance, 13, 14
and Blassie, Freddie, 145, 146, 148–150, 154
boxing, training in, 75
brother, 118, 149. See also LeBell, Mike
and Cohen, Mickey, 83
dojo, 25
early training, 73
fee for officiating fight, 14
and Gotch, Karl, 92, 93
judo study, 26, 235
and Lee, Bruce, 236, 237
at Main Street Gym, 14, 75
mixed martial arts, interest in, 234, 235
mixed style fights, 15, 25, 27–30, 32, 33, 235
mother, 27, 73, 82. See also Eaton, Aileen
motorcycle riding, 145–148
National Judo Championship titles, 28
opinion on Ali vs. Inoki fight, 216
patches given for choking out, 25
prediction for outcome of fight, 15
as referee for Ali vs. Inoki, 13, 14, 33, 116, 117, 143, 153–154, 183, 184, 188–193, 195–198, 201, 204, 206, 208–211, 213, 218, 219
and Robertson, Bill, Sr., 145–148
Robinson, sparring with, 75
and UFC, 250
vs. Savage, 27–30, 32, 33, 235, 242, 244, 248
LeBell, Mike, 73, 82, 116–119, 149, 150, 164
Lee, Bruce, 9, 108, 232, 236–238, 242
Leg kicks
blocking, 205–208, 210
checks, 239
effectiveness of, 232
low kicks, 191, 210, 213, 232, 233, 238–239, 241
Leg-and-hip control, 234
Legion Auditorium (Hollywood), 28, 75
Lennon, Doris, 132
Lennon, Jimmy, 66, 72
Lennon, Jimmy, Jr., 73, 84, 132
Lennon, Jimmy, Sr., 130–134
The Lessons in Wrestling and Physical Culture, 20, 21
Lewis, Butch, 137, 139, 182
Lewis, Ed “Strangler,” 8, 21–25, 36–40, 59, 70, 73, 234
Liberty Theater, 10, 176, 187, 219, 220
Lichtenstein, Larney, 38
Liebling, A. J., 62, 63
Lincoln National Productions, 113
Lisker, Jerry, 186, 190, 192, 193, 195, 198–200, 203, 204, 206, 210, 212, 213, 216
Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks (Blassie), 149
Liston, Sonny (“The Big Bear”), 62, 86, 172
Logan, George, 67, 74
London Prize Ring, 30, 31
Lopez, Danny (“Little Red”), 76, 77
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, 64, 65, 74, 85
Louis, Joe, 54, 62, 81
Low kicks
Ali vs. Inoki fight, 191, 210, 213, 232, 241
mixed martial arts, 233, 238, 239, 241
Luttrell, Cowboy, 24
M
MacArthur, Douglas, 52
Madigan, Dan, 114, 153–155, 163, 167, 169, 170
Maeda, Mitsuyo, 26, 49
Mafia, 83, 255
Main Street Gym (Los Angeles), 14, 74–79, 276
Malcewicz, Joe, 55
Malcolm, Andrew, 13, 155, 156, 181, 220–223
Malcolm X, 86, 103
Mansfield, Jayne, 132
Marcos, Ferdinand, 101, 102
Marcos, Imelda, 101
Marella, Robert (Gorilla Monsoon), 115, 168, 177
Marotta, Rich, 68, 69, 77
Marquess of Queensberry boxing rules, 30
Marsh, Lou, 168
Marshall, John, 138
Martial arts. See also specific martial arts Japanese, 50
mixed martial arts. See Mixed martial arts (MMA)
safety equipment, 253, 254
submission techniques. See Submission techniques
World War II, impact of in Japan, 49–53
Mathis, Buster, 112
Mayweather, Floyd, Jr., 32, 160
McCain, John, 255
McClaren, Campbell, 248, 250, 251
McGregor, Conor, 251
McLean, Jock, 250
McMahon, Jess, 168
McMahon, Linda, 163
McMahon, Vince, Jr., 114, 115, 152–155, 163–172, 261, 272
McMahon, Vince, Sr.
closed-circuit events, promotion of, 114, 152, 159
and legitimacy of Ali vs. Inoki fight, 4, 152
“Martial Arts Ol
ympics,” 9
mixed martial arts promotion, 173, 243, 258, 259, 261
and pro wrestling, 3
proponent of Ali vs. Inoki, 3, 15
rules for Ali vs. Inoki, 116
“Showdown at Shea,” 175, 176
World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), 10, 159, 164, 173. See also World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)
World Wrestling Federation (WWF), 10, 163, 165, 261. See also World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
Meltzer, Dave, 8, 10, 91, 93, 164, 166, 186, 219
Meredith, Burgess, 77
Mijatovic, Miro, 268
Mikesh, Robert C., 50
Milius, John, 246
Miller, Bill, 93
Miller, Joe C., Colonel, 21
Mixed martial arts (MMA)
Ali vs. Inoki, 3, 216, 250, 251. See also Ali vs. Inoki fight
broadcasting, 249, 250
fighter vs. fighter as opposed to style vs. style, 253
history of, 18, 19, 25, 155, 177, 178, 232–234, 236, 240–243, 245–259, 264
Inoki’s participation in, 258–263
in Japan, 264–267
kickboxing, 232. See also Kickboxing
media coverage of, 10, 11, 250–251, 254
Pride Fighting Championship, 12, 91, 256, 257, 267–269
regulation and legislation, 254–256
rules, development of, 246–253, 255, 256
safety equipment, 253, 254
state regulation of, 254–256
Ultimate Fighting Championship, 245
underground market, 255
Mixed style fights. See also Mixed martial arts (MMA)
boxers vs. judo players (judoka), 24–33
boxers vs. wrestlers, 3, 5, 8, 17, 18, 20–24, 159–160, 179, 244
history of, 17–33, 233
in Japan, 256–265
rules, problems with, 247
Momose, Hiromichi, 266, 268
Momota, Minokichi, 48
Momota, Mitsuhiro, 48
Mondt, Joe (Toots), 36–39, 44, 54, 70, 168, 180
Moore, Archie, 75
Moore, Archie (“The Old Mongoose”), 84, 85
Morishita, Naoto, 267, 268
Moto, Mr., 65
Muhammad, Elijah, 103
Muhammad, Herbert, 4, 103, 182, 208, 217, 226, 229
Muhammad, Wali, 13, 126, 182
Muhammad Ali (Hauser), 41
Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 1998, 84
Muldoon, William, 31, 38
Murray, Jim, 71
Musburger, Brent, 174
N
Nakamura, Shinsuke, 263
Nation of Islam, 86, 103
National Wrestling Association (NWA), 55, 56, 59, 163, 164
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum, 165
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), 2, 90–91, 95, 113–114, 125, 159, 169, 182, 257, 262, 263, 267, 268
Newaza, 246
Nippon Budokan Hall
crowd reactions, 181–183, 195, 202, 215, 219
heat and humidity, 13, 160, 181
pre-fight exhibitions, 11, 12
telecast from, 9, 10
ticket prices, 8
Nita, Shinsasku, 53
Nixon, Richard, 64, 120
Nogueira, Antônio Rodrigo, 91, 94 Norton, Ken, 82, 109, 112
O
Octagon, 26, 27, 245, 251, 269
Ohki, Kintaro, 89
Olympic Auditorium (Los Angeles), 11, 27, 43, 65, 68–75, 81–85, 116, 118, 130–134, 149, 150
O’Mahoney, Danno, 45
Organized crime, 47, 53, 58, 59, 83, 84, 146, 256, 266, 267
Oyama, Mas, 262
P
Pacheco, Ferdie
Ali’s entourage, 13, 182
and Ali’s interest in pro wrestling, 171
as Ali’s physician, 82, 108
comments after fight, 216, 219, 244
medical concerns for Ali, 108, 274, 275
opposition to Ali vs. Inoki fight, 3, 219
opposition to Ali’s trip to Korea, 226, 230
reaction to kicks by Inoki, 199, 202
rules negotiation, 126–129
treating Ali’s legs during fight, 199, 204, 206
Pacquiao, Manny, 160
Pancrase, 240, 241, 257, 263, 264
Pankration (mixed fighting), 18, 19, 249, 263
Papke, Billy, 20
Park, Chung Hee, 228
Parker, Ed, 25, 242
Parnassus, George, 81, 118
Patterson, Floyd, 62
Pay-per-view, 160, 170, 249, 255
Pazienza, Vinny, 178
Pehlwan, Akrum, 258, 259
Pehlwani, 93
Pepe, Phil, 113, 125
Pepper, Shelly, 126
Pesek, John (Tiger Man), 38
The Phantom of Pride (Momose), 268
Piper, Roddy, 151
PKA Karate, 250
PKA Kickboxing, 250
Plestina, Marin, 38
Pontiac Silverdome, 171
Porche, Veronica, 101, 102, 277
Powers, Johnny, 95
Pride Fighting Championship, 12, 91, 256, 257, 267–269
Pro wrestling
Ali’s interest in, 3, 5, 18, 121, 171, 180
All Japan Pro Wrestling, 90, 166
American style, introduction of in Japan, 54, 55
audiences, 72
catch-as-catch-can style, 19, 32, 36, 39, 48, 91, 92
concussions, 172
controversial promotions, 169–171
events billed preceding Ali vs. Inoki telecast, 8, 9
Gold Dust Trio, 35–40, 44, 57, 70
history of, 35–46
in Japan (puroresu), 1, 8, 54–60, 65, 87, 240, 263, 264
in Los Angeles, 65–73
New Japan Pro Wrestling. See New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW)
organizations. See specific organizations
predetermined outcome. See Works (fights with predetermined outcome)
promoters, 35–39, 45, 71. See also individual promoters
shoots. See Shoots (legitimate contests)
as sports entertainment, 168, 169, 171, 172
steroid scandal, 171
submission techniques, 19, 20, 40, 93, 94, 259, 263, 264
television, impact of, 56–58, 65, 67, 164–166, 170, 171
territory system, 11, 40, 55, 69, 114, 115, 162–167, 171, 175
works. See Works (fights with predetermined outcome)
World Wide Wrestling Federation. See World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)
World Wrestling Entertainment. See World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE)
World Wrestling Federation. See World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
Puroresu (Japanese pro wrestling), 1, 54–60, 65, 87, 240, 263–264
Q
Quarry, Mike, 131
R
Race, Harley, 95, 152, 163
Remnick, David, 271, 272
Rhee, Jhoon
“Accu-punch,” 108–110
Ali’s entourage, 13, 182, 211
Ali’s respect for, 228
arrival in Japan, 119, 135
awards, 241, 242
blocking Inoki’s kicks, coaching Ali on, 205
gloves developed by, 135, 253, 254
Jhoon Rhee Taekwondo School, 225, 241
and Lee, Bruce, 237, 238, 242
martial arts, early interest in, 241
“Martial Arts Man of the Century,” 241
movie roles, 242, 254
safety equipment designed by, 253, 254
taekwondo, promotion of, 13, 225, 241, 242, 253
training of Ali, 108, 109, 136, 244
and trip to South Korea with Ali, 225–228
at weigh-in, 137, 156
Ribs (pranks and cons), 150–152
Rickard, Tex, 23
Riggs, Bobby, 272
Rikidōzan
and anti-Korean sentiment in Japan, 48
arrival in Japan, 4
7
background, 47, 48
death of, 47, 58
as father of Japanese pro wrestling, 8
Japanese name, 48
Korean name, 47
lifestyle, 59
as mentor to Inoki, 87–90, 153
popularity in Japan, 47
pro wrestling, 53–60, 65–69, 90, 119, 120, 148, 218, 243
ring name, 48
sumo wrestling, 48, 50, 53
training Inoki, 87, 89
World War II service, 50
Riley, Billy, 92
RINGS, 263
Robertson, Bill, Jr., 148
Robertson, Bill, Sr., 145–148
Robinson, Billy, 94, 95
Robinson, Ray (“Sugar Ray”), 75, 130
The Rock, 96, 178
Rocky movies, 9, 77, 172
Roeber, Ernest, 31
Rogers, Buddy, 93, 151
Rogue (magazine), 24, 25
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 49
Roosevelt, Theodore, 48, 49
Rousey, Ronda, 26, 32, 251
Roussimoff, André René (Andre the Giant), 9, 14, 105, 126, 134, 154, 160, 171, 173–178, 180, 243, 258
Rutten, Bas, 264
Ryōgoku Kokugikan, 51, 54
S
Sabedong, Duke, 40, 42
Sakaguchi, Seiji, 182
Sakakibara, Nobuyuki, 266–268
Sakata, Harold, 54, 55
Sammartino, Bruno, 8, 95, 118, 160, 175, 176, 178, 179
Sandow, Billy, 36–39, 44
Savage, Milo, 27–30, 32–33, 235, 242, 244, 248
Sayama, Satoru (“Tiger Mask”), 265
Schwartz, Henry A., 160, 161
Semaphore Entertainment Group, 248
Severn, Dan, 246
Shamrock, Frank, 234, 264
Shamrock, Ken, 241, 264
Sharpe, Ben, 56
Sharpe, Mike, 56
Shavers, Earnie, 274
Shea Stadium, 8, 9, 14, 104, 126, 159–160, 162, 167, 175, 176, 178, 179, 220, 243, 259
The Sheik, 105
Shikat, Dick, 45
Shinma, Hisashi, 95, 114, 126, 127, 258, 261
Shire, Roy, 164, 165
Shooters, 37, 59, 92–95, 97, 149, 264
Shooto, 263, 265
Shoots (legitimate contests), 3, 39, 93, 154, 177, 257, 258, 263, 264
“Showdown at Shea,” 8, 9, 175
Siegel, Bugsy, 84
Silva, Anderson, 239
Singh, Tiger Jeet, 95
Sin-rak, Kim. See Rikidōzan
Smith, Maurice, 232–234, 238–243, 264
The Snake Pit, 92, 94
Snarks, 152
Snyder, Jimmy (“The Greek”), 11
South Korea. See also Rhee, Jhoon Ali’s trip to, 135, 225–229
Southwest Championship Wrestling (SWCW) (cable television show), 165, 166
Specialized fighters, 240, 241
Spinks, Leon, 262, 274, 275
Sprawl-and-brawl, 246
Stallone, Sylvester, 9, 172
Stecher, Joe, 39, 40
Steindler, Howie, 77, 78
Stevenson, McLean, 5
Strongbow, Jules, 134, 150
Submission techniques
catch-as-catch-can wrestling style, 19
