On this day in history, October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali wins 'The Rumble in the Jungle'

Jonathan Hunt reports from Louisville

Boxer Muhammad Ali was declared the heavyweight champion of the world after he defeated George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle" on this day in history, Oct. 30, 1974.

The "Rumble in the Jungle" took place in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) — and featured 32-year-old Ali and 25-year-old Foreman.

Ali was previously the heavyweight champion, but he lost his title in 1967 after he refused to join the military. 

After publicly announcing he'd joined the Nation of Islam in 1964, he tried unsuccessfully in 1965 to apply as a conscientious objector.

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Ali was convicted of draft evasion in the U.S. Armed Forces and was sentenced to five years in prison, but his sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court.

His boxing license and world championship were, however, suspended in the meantime. Ali returned to boxing in October 1970 — and in 1971 he lost to Joe Frazier in the "Fight of the Century." 

Muhammad Ali (left) and George Foreman (right) fought in the "Rumble in the Jungle" on Oct. 30, 1974. Ali beat Foreman in eight rounds. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Ali later defeated Frazier, which meant he could compete against then-champion George Foreman. 

The "Rumble in the Jungle" was staged by the country of Zaire, according to the History Channel's website. 

In a move to boost the country's tourism industry, Zaire's president Mobutu Sese Seko personally paid Ali and Foreman $5 million before the fight, the same source noted. 

For Ali, the fight was about more than personal glory. 

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