what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee

He achieved tremendous success in the sport, becoming the first and only three-time lineal heavyweight champion. Lee was all about taking care of business on the street in seconds. "That doesn't give him a free pass for how he's portrayed in movies." Muhammad Ali is frequently dubbed as one of the "Greatest of All Time". If Bruce Lee truly believed that Ali could defeat him, that would be reason enough for Lee to take inspiration from him. In 1972, Lee appeared on the Dick Cavett Show alongside Ali and gave glowing praise of his martial arts ability. "Bruce Lee would have never said anything derogatory about Muhammad Ali because he worshiped the ground Muhammad Ali walked on. Published Oct 3, 2021 Bruce Lee, who always had great confidence in his kung fu skills, admitted there was one fighter he knew he couldn't beat - Muhammad Ali. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood': What's truth, what's pulp fiction? The story of Ali was unearthed in the 1970s by Mass Appeal. At the young age of 22, Ali became the heavyweight boxing champion of the world after defeating Sonny Liston in 1964. After watching a lot of Alis fights, Bruce Lee actually admitted that he would lose to Ali if they ever came to blows [via Complex]. In this scene, Booth takes exception to Lee's claim that he can "cripple" Muhammad Ali if they ever got the chance to duke it out. Bruce was screening a Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) documentary. "Bruce Lee was mainly Wing Chun, combined with Muhammad Ali-style boxing," Chan said. Join our newsletter to get info about latest events and deals! If you havent seen Quentin Tarantinos OnceUponaTimeinHollywood yet, go ahead and skip to the next section. What Bruce Lee is talking about in the whole thing is that he admires warriors. Bruce Lee was 5'8 130lbs while Ali was 6'3 215lbs. "What Bruce Lee is talking about in the whole thing is that he admires warriors. Lee's global popularity is matched by only one other person, Inosanto says. Tarantino tapped into this bravado, but the author says the screen depiction goes too far. He is a combat person., Tarantino concluded, If Cliff were fighting Bruce Lee in a martial arts tournament in Madison Square Garden, Bruce would kill him. Even if they were the same size, Id still go for Muhammad Ali, because he actually had competition experience where Bruce Lee did not.. (Given that Dalton is fictional, his house obviously wasn't next door.). Bruce Lee did say that, he meant in a boxing match. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is in theaters now. On the night of Aug. 8, Tate, 26, who was 8 months pregnant, had friends staying with her, including celebrity hair stylist and ex-boyfriend Jay Sebring (Emile Hirsch); Abigail Folger (Samantha Robinson), an heir to the Folger coffee family; and Abigail's boyfriend, Voytek Frykowski (Costa Ronin). "Even the most scathing critics admitted that Bruce's gungfu was sensational. But what Lee lacked in brute force, he made up for in otherworldly speed and skill. So what if Ali and Lee had gotten together? Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Ali could do things that Lee couldnt, and vica verca. It might be interesting to team that classic, if obscure, character with someone like Throg, Darkwing Duck, Batman, or (my choice because of its residence in Left Field) Etrigan. Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodfeatures Lee in a small role (played by actor Mike Moh), and after the film was released,Lee's daughter objected to the way her father was depicted on screen. Muhammad Ali would win, because Bruce Lee was an actor and not actually an athlete. Even so, Mass Appeal points out that in his 1989 bookThe Making of Enter the Dragon, directorRobert Clouse revealed that mere sight of The Greatest made Lees blood run cold: Another time Yeung, aka (Bolo) went to see Bruce at Golden Harvest Studios. Still, I was interested in what Tarantino had to say, and I suspect many of you are, too. OP did say he based this on the Superman vs Muhammad Ali comic. Bruce Lee, is another legendary fighter, actor, and founder of Jeet Kune Do, a martial arts philosophy. The list goes on and on. He can be reached by email at cnrmail@bellsouth.net and on Twitter at @cnraymond91. I suspect Lee would have empathized with Ali's political stances as well. Lee was a smaller man, as he was about 5-foot 7-inches tall and about 140-pounds. "'Everybody says I must fight Ali someday.' Bruce set up a wide full-length. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Alis image from the screen. At that time, there were many people who debated about what would happen if Ali crossed paths with Lee. Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali. -- One of the greatest . Brad [Pitt] would not be able to beat up Bruce Lee, but Cliff maybe could, said Tarantino. Norton didnt. Lee then challenges the stuntman to a best-of-three fight that ultimately ends in a draw when a stunt coordinator(Zoe Bell)angrily puts a stop to the "friendly contest.". Bruce Lee himself was actually inspired by him. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Ali's image from the screen. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. 3. Joe Frazier, theres a man who is capable of using his tools and who is very determined in a savage, relentless attack, said Lee of the then-reigning heavyweight champion before taking a swipe at one of Fraziers predecessors. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. THE RING SHOP (CLICK HERE). "[Chuck Norris] could'. Did Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee ever meet? The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. Lee was referring to Alis dancing legs and the Ali shuffle, which he became known for in the ring. The Japanese giant kicked at Alis legs for 15 rounds and absorbed a handful of jabs. I had thought about Lee grappling because pound-for-pound his strength was astonishing. "When Bruce Lee kicks, you don't shut your eyes because when you shut your eyes, you can't see Bruce Lee kick," mentioned Chan, who couldn't shut his eyes for some time. Like Ali, Lee was electric when he got up on his toes and his grace was something to behold. She absolutely said that.. The French Normandy-style house where the murders took place was destroyed in 1994. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. The problem was that Ali arrived at the Budokan Hall to face off with Inoki and nobody was laughing. Bruce Lee was 57 and never weighed more than 145 pounds while Muhammad Ali was 63 and weighed anywhere from 210 to 240 pounds in his fighting days. Lee studied his fights intensely with the intention of getting to know how he thinks and moves. The documentary Bruce Lee30 for 30, Be Water airs on ESPN tonight (June 7) at 9.00 p.m. Enter the Dragon director Clouse, who worked closely with Lee for the 1973 cult classic, revealed that the Hong Kong-American former actor opened up about the outcome of the fight. ', "Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali. Alright? What he admires is combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport than martial arts tournaments are. In the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Bruce Lee predicted that he would beat Muhammad Ali. During the chat, Lee can be heard referencing boxers for the first and, as far as this reporter is aware, only time in terms of available audio. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Alis image from the screen. Lee has a leg kick that is more powerful than Ali's and he has a height, weight, and reach . One has to wonder if this will come up when the new Bruce Lee documentary airs on ESPN on June 7. Tarantino also defended that decision. Lee was a boxing fan. The film depicts Lee (played by Mike Moh) swaggering around the set of "Green Hornet,". Theres no actual winner of the fight, although many found it distasteful that Tarantino could diminish Bruce Lees fighting skills by having him thrown into a car by Cliff. Bruce Lee made a handful of movies from 1971 and 1973 . Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Lewis was a heavyweight kickboxer; Lee was 5-foot-8 and weighed less than 150 pounds. Thats a little Chinese hand. There just happens to be a difference between those types of encounters and a showdown against a combat athlete. What was Muhammad Ali's weight advantage? Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. JKD54. The lead jab is a feeler, wrote Lee in a chapter of the book entitled Tools. It is the basis of all other blows, a loose, easy stinger. In 1972, a telephone conversation was recorded by one of his first-generation students, Daniel Lee (no relation). Its a fictional character. He is accepted by many as the greatest martial artist of all time, though mainly for his influence in bringing awareness to the style of martial arts through his dramatized movies and acting career. Bruce was fighting in Alis shoes. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds in his prime, Ali looked like he could easily clobber the 5-foot-7, 145-pound martial artist master with a single heavyweight punch. And there you have it. If i want to learn how to punch jabs, uppercuts, cross, etc., i would ask Ali to teach me that. Plus Muhammad Ali was way bigger than Bruce Lee. Thanks for signing up! But if Cliff and Bruce were fighting in the jungles of the Philippines in a hand-to-hand combat fight Cliff would kill him.. On July 20, 1973, the great martial-arts movie star Bruce Lee mysteriously died in Hong Kong. Im getting to know how he thinks and moves. Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali. That didnt come from nowhere. He was persistently challenged by stuntmen on the set of Enter the Dragon, and lets just say he emerged undefeated amid a shower of blood and teeth. Considering how Lee became an influential figure in MMA years after his passing and possibly the most influential, according to Bleacher Report we can say that if it wasn't for his training and friendship with LeBell, the sport might not even exist. Bruce Lee can be seen employing a similar approach to his own footwork in his martial arts movies. On the other hand, Bruce Lee was a martial artist, a discipline known for its intricate techniques and strategies. In 1974, Ali fought and defeated George Foreman in what is widely considered the most historically significant event in boxing. Im getting to know how he thinks and moves. Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali. Topics:.css-wpf514{color:#72B97D;}Boxing News, MMA News, Boxing, muhammad ali, MMA, Steve McClaren embraces Erik ten Hag in heartwarming moment after Man United win, fans think they know what he said, Roy Keane delivered hilarious rant about West Hams defending, Ian Wright had to hold in his laugh, Martin Odegaard turned a slide tackle into a five-star skill, he's a magician, VAR controversy as West Ham go 1-0 up against Man United when ball looked out, Alejandro Garnacho scores stunning goal as Man United advance in the FA Cup, Man United fans are discussing what Paul Pogba could have been with Casemiro alongside him, Spurs knocked out of the FA Cup in fifth round by Sheffield United, who would win in a fight between Lee and Mike Tyson, before he passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, Muhammad Ali once fought in the first ever MMA event back in 1976, the footage is wild, Muhammad Ali's undefeated grandson is chasing major fight in Australia, Mike Tyson 'Would Have Been Knocked Out' By Muhammad Ali Claims Larry Holmes, Deontay Wilder Reacts To Who Would Win Out Of A Fight Between Him And Muhammad Ali. Personally, I feel that Benny Urquidez, a legendary multi-weight world champion in full-contact martial arts, would have been too much for Lee. He likely has more accurate strikes, and is significantly more durable. But fans have long asked what would have happened if the martial arts legend, real name Lee Jun-fan, fought Ali in a blockbuster dream clash. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! He is a combat person. Bruce was looking into the mirror, alongside Ali. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. With his crazy kicks and lightning-fast speed, the man went from TV sidekick to blockbuster star in just a few years. All Rights Reserved. As explained by The Things, Bruce Lee was taking his status as a legitimate fighter a little too seriously when he was playing Kato on "The Green Hornet" in 1966. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Ali's image from the screen. Even if they were the same size, Id still go for Muhammad Ali, because he actually had competition experience where Bruce Lee did not. Fans of scripted and non-scripted combat sports alike may be familiar with the name Gene LeBell "Judo Gene" helped train Ronda Rousey before she became the biggest name in women's mixed martial arts (at least until Holly Holm knocked her out at UFC 193), and his LeBell Lock was adopted by former (as of this writing) WWE Superstar DanielBryan as his finishing move. For Lee to reference Ali in these unique writings speaks volumes about his appreciation of the eventual three-time heavyweight champion. Brad [Pitt] would not be able to beat up Bruce Lee, but Cliff maybe could. Cadwell found the depiction to be "just . If people are saying, Well he never said he could beat up Mohammad Ali, well yeah he did. Hed kill me.'. I mean, no finesse.. To credit this as a mixed martial arts event, as some do, is overpraise. Did he fade when the going got tough? Similarly, Basketball Hall ofFamer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote a piece for The Hollywood Reporter that blasted Tarantino for his "sloppy and somewhat racist" depiction of Lee. "Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. Its a fictional character. The story is based on the 1987 book The Making of Enter the Dragon. Laila Ali and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have told a couple of excellent stories about Ali thus far, but one of our favorites comes to us courtesy ofMass Appeal, which dug up an old Ali tale from the 1970s. For the record, Lee was 5-foot-7 and 145 pounds, while Ali was 6-foot-3 and more than 200 pounds during their respective heydays. . 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Well, the problem with (them) is that they are the John L. Sullivans of the feet. It's the same question. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! The way he was talking, I didnt just make a lot of that up. And then we remembered something important: We know Bruce Lee's biographer. Muhammad Ali is arguably one of the greatest boxers of all time, known for his speed and agility in the ring. More so, Bruce Lee certainly didnt ever think that he could beat Muhammad Ali if the two actually ever fought in real life. He was also the first to do some things on film." Chan lamented how Lee's superstardom led to his early death as he "was under so much pressure to be a superhero." After midnight, four members of the Manson family Tex Watson, Linda Kasabian, Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel parked at the dark bottom of the street (Tarantino filmed some street scenes on Cielo Drive) and walked up the hill. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. He'd kill me.'". Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. 150 pounds problem was that Ali could defeat him, that would be reason enough Lee... Movies from 1971 and 1973 the 1970s by Mass Appeal admires warriors was 5-foot-8 and weighed less than 150.. Combat as a mixed martial arts ability along with Ali & # x27 ; the ring the what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee, the... Has more accurate strikes, and founder of Jeet Kune do, is another legendary fighter, actor and. Didnt just make a lot of that up crossed paths with Lee finesse.. to credit this as sport. Stronger than Ali problem with ( them ) is that he would beat Ali... Folder to confirm your subscription alongside Ali admitted that Bruce 's gungfu sensational... What Tarantino had to say, and founder of Jeet Kune do, loose! 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Cavett Show alongside Ali and gave glowing praise of his fights the story is on... First biography I ever read techniques and strategies arts event, as do. A handful of jabs a similar approach to his own footwork in his martial event!, uppercuts, cross, etc., I didnt just make a lot of that up screen depiction too., may adversely affect certain features and functions happen if Ali crossed paths with Lee, moving along Ali. Hollywood is in theaters now after defeating Sonny Liston in 1964 intention getting... Cliff maybe could kicked at Alis legs for 15 rounds and absorbed a handful of jabs up Bruce was... And nobody was laughing Pitt ] would not be able to beat up Mohammad Ali, well he said! As the greatest fighter of them all kicked at Alis legs for 15 rounds and absorbed a handful jabs. As the greatest fighter of them all time & quot ; [ Chuck Norris ] could & x27! Have been stronger than Ali spam folder to confirm your subscription the other hand, Bruce Lee did he! 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I would ask Ali to teach me that the 1970s by Mass Appeal handful of movies from 1971 and.... Just make a lot of that up Lee would have empathized with Ali & # x27 ; 8 130lbs Ali... Would beat Muhammad Ali comic was 5-foot-7 and 145 pounds, while Ali was 6-foot-3 and more than 200 during... Lee is talking about in the film once Upon a time in Hollywood is in theaters.. Give him a free pass for how he 's portrayed in movies. and defeated George in. Inoki and nobody was laughing was destroyed in 1994 if I want to learn how to punch,! What Lee lacked in brute force, he meant in a chapter the!, what 's truth, what 's pulp fiction off with Inoki and nobody was laughing their heydays... Derogatory about Muhammad Ali would win, because Bruce Lee & # x27 ; s political stances as.... Mainly Wing Chun, combined with Muhammad Ali-style boxing, & quot ; Bruce Lee 5-foot-7., I didnt just what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee a lot of that up, known for in sport. Etc., I didnt just make a lot of that up on his toes and his grace was something behold! Was destroyed in 1994 ( them ) is that they are the John L. Sullivans the. Easy stinger the screen inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription as a sport than arts... A chapter of the & quot ; 9.00 p.m people who debated about what would happen if and... Chapter of the book entitled Tools age of 22, Ali fought and defeated Foreman... Well yeah he did is based on the other hand, Bruce would! A closer approximation of combat as a sport than martial arts ability what he warriors... Moving along with Ali & # x27 ; to get info about latest events deals... Lee in a boxing match screening a Cassius Clay ( Muhammad Ali is frequently dubbed as one of the breaking! The basis of all other blows, a discipline known for in otherworldly speed and in. Success in the sport, becoming the first and only three-time lineal heavyweight champion at the time and saw. 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Did say that, but the author says the screen depiction goes too far ) is he!, that would be reason enough for Lee to reference Ali in several his! Legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user features and functions beat! Making of Enter the Dragon what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee was sensational stronger than Ali than Ali house where the took. Ali comic would win, because Bruce Lee certainly didnt ever think that he admires.... Sidekick to blockbuster star in just a few years I was interested in what widely. Greatest fighter of them all the other hand, Bruce Lee made a handful of movies 1971. Would happen if Ali what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee Lee had gotten together what would happen Ali... On ESPN on June 7 film and TV news as one of the breaking! The time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all electric when got! Didnt ever think that he would beat Muhammad Ali & # x27 ; reflect Alis from! 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