Martial arts icon Bruce Lee admitted that the legendary Muhammad Ali would have 'killed him' in a crossover fight, according to Robert Clouse. Total 29,751 days. MUHAMMAD ALI was once stood up by Elvis Presley - who turned up "drunk or high" at 4am to watch the boxing legend in a sparring session. Muhammad Ali would win, because Bruce Lee was an actor and not actually an athlete. He probably wouldn't have stood a chance. 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. -- One of the greatest . He can be reached by email at [email protected] and on Twitter at @cnraymond91. Why Was There No Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman Rematch After The Rumble in the Jungle? With his innovative approach to the martial arts, his uncanny ability to master whatever he was shown in minutes and those incredible physical tools, he might have transcended boxing, or UFC, just as he did action cinema. If you have, you know that one of the best scenes from the movie came when Brad Pitts character, Cliff Booth, fought Bruce Lee, played wonderfully by Mike Moh, on the set of The Green Hornet after Lee said that he would cripple Cassius Clay. Ahh, a test of skills, than I shall say Ali, Ali is as described by *I've handcuffed lightning *Thrown thunder in jail *Murdered a rock, Tyson respected him, Foreman did, Holyfield . All Rights Reserved. Why? Muhammad Ali, who has long been called "The Greatest of All Time," was at the center of national attention during his days as a professional fighter. One has to wonder if this will come up when the new Bruce Lee documentary airs on ESPN on June 7. Whatever the outcome, the Battle of Icons wouldve been one hell of an event. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing, GET THE LATEST ISSUE AT JKD54. "Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. Tarantino takes liberties in depicting the actions of the Manson followers (which we will not spoil). However, much of the setup is accurate. Bruce was screening a Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) documentary. What would Ali have made of Lee? In 1974, Ali fought and defeated George Foreman in what is widely considered the most historically significant event in boxing. 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood': Everything you should know about Sharon Tate, Box-office winner: 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood' is Tarantino's biggest debut ever. But would he really have been stronger than Ali? 25 Things You Didnt Know About Muhammad Ali, Ali's funeral in Louisville, Ky. on Friday. While fighting, Ali constantly moved his feet around, making it difficult to determine what he was going to do next. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. ", The Incident That Inspired The Bruce Lee Scene In Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. Providing the egos didnt clash, this would have been a match made in heaven. Everybody says I must fight Ali some day. Bruce said, Im studying every move he makes. OP did say he based this on the Superman vs Muhammad Ali comic. With the show's stuntmen complaining that Lee's punches and kicks were too realistic (read: painful) for comfort, stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins had a plan to teach the future "Enter the Dragon" star a lesson he was going to hire a stuntman who also happened to know a thing or two about martial arts. 93K Most relevant Isaac Irvin Bruce him self said in a interview that he would watch Ali's fights by pointing his projector at his mirror this way he could emulate Ali's move in a south paw stance. Brad would not be able to beat up Bruce Lee, but Cliff maybe could, Tarantino said. One critic wrote: 'Those who watched him would bet on Lee to render Cassius Clay senseless if they were put in a room and told that anything goes." The four friends did dine at the Hollywood landmark El Coyote on the night of the murders before going back to Tate's home. Plus Muhammad Ali was way bigger than Bruce Lee. Muhammad Ali is frequently dubbed as one of the "Greatest of All Time". Lee passed away in 1973 at the age of 32. Lee set up a wide mirror so that he could follow along with Alis movements as they occurred on screen. 2023 RING TV LIVE. If you're a fan of 1960s pop culture, Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is a must-watch. He comes across as an arrogant (expletive) who was full of hot air, she told The Wrap. 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. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! "Bruce Lee was kind of an arrogant guy," Tarantino said. Im getting to know how he thinks and moves. Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali Look at my hand, he said. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. 88) (3/11), Matthew Polly (@MatthewEPolly) August 12, 2019. I was reading the Tyson vs Lee thread and I thought he'd have a chance here. Send PM. The Inoki fight only worked because the dude was still of similar build to Ali. "If people are saying, 'Well he never said he could beat up Muhammad Ali,' well yeah, he did,"the director continued, via Deadline. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. Cliff is not part of the sport that is like combat, he is a warrior. The size difference between the two was enormous. 8 yr. ago Damn. Kirik Jenness Apr 28, 2022 The Rowdy One has spoken, but we still have a feeling that this debate will rage on for years to come. As a martial artist, Lee is the closest thing to perfection that Ive ever seen and I doubt that will change in my lifetime. I'm getting to know how he thinks and moves. Bruce Lee, the GOAT of martial arts, has no ties to Florida. The central story of the film which marks Tarantino's biggest box-office debut, earning $40 million opening weekend is set amid true Hollywood landmarks and involves very real stars, ranging from Bruce Lee (Mike Moh) to Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). He is a combat person. Bruce Lee himself was actually inspired by him. Muhammad Ali is the GOAT of boxing. To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders, Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications, .css-n1h13z{color:black;color:#fff;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-n1h13z{color:#fff;}}Published15:16,09 January 2020 GMT.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}}| Last updated23:14,09 January 2020 GMT. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. In the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Bruce Lee predicted that he would beat Muhammad Ali. As a martial artist, Lee had to understand that the best way to improve was to look to those who were superior in one way or another. But if Cliff and Bruce were fighting in the jungles of the Philippines in a hand-to-hand combat fight, Cliff would kill him.. Bruce said, 'I'm studying every move he makes. He admires combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport. But if Cliff and Bruce were fighting in the jungles of the Philippines in a hand-to-hand combat fight Cliff would kill him.. Lee was a smaller man, as he was about 5-foot 7-inches tall and about 140-pounds. 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. Offline. Manson and his followers did stay at the 55-acre Spahn Movie Ranch, owned by George Spahn, a location used for Western movie shoots and horseback riding. Thats a little Chinese hand. And how about Lee against modern UFC stars? Have you seen kickboxing? If Lee can use legs, then he has the power, skill and quickness to hurt Ali badly. THE RING SHOP (CLICK HERE). I suspect Lee would have empathized with Ali's political stances as well. The two became friends and frequently discussed the martial arts, and Rhee wound up teaching a few taekwondo kicks to Bruce Lee. Assuming Polly is correct, Tarantino may have either misread the passage originally or be misremembering Lee's description. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. But what Lee lacked in brute force, he made up for in otherworldly speed and skill. He wrote in the 1987 book The Making of Enter the Dragon: "Another time Yeung, aka [Bolo] went to see Bruce at Golden Harvest Studios. "The way he was talking, I didn't just make a lot of that up. Did Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee ever meet? Bruce Lee was a man who could flow like water, scream like an animal, and spin some nunchucks like nobody's business. The conversation on who would win in a fight between Ali and Mike Tyson is an argument that will likely never end. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. I heard him say things like that to that effect. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Ali's image from the screen. Lee passed away in 1973 at the age of 32 from cerebral edema, which could have been caused by a reaction to prescription painkillers. He is a killer. Brad [Pitt] would not be able to beat up Bruce Lee, but Cliff maybe could. He had a lasting influence on boxers everywhere, but the impact he had extended far outside his field. The same problems would exist. One Winner will receive $500 in FREE authentic, licensed, Rock Music Merchandise from RockMerch. Bruce set up a wide full-length. They broke into the home and committed the grisly ritualistic killings after midnight (Steve Parent, a fifth victim, isn't depicted in the film). "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. For Lee to reference Ali in these unique writings speaks volumes about his appreciation of the eventual three-time heavyweight champion. At the young age of 22, Ali became the heavyweight boxing champion of the world after defeating Sonny Liston in 1964. But despite how things came off in OnceUponaTimeinHollywood, the man born Lee Jun-fan didnt think he stood a chance against the man formerly known as Cassius Clay. The world is mentally preparing for Ali's funeral in Louisville, Ky. on Friday, but before it takes place, there are going to be a lot of great Ali stories that are told. "Everybody says I must fight Ali some day." Norton didnt. Ali probably never heard of Lee during Lee's lifetime. Look at my hand, he said. Rousey certainly makes a valid point. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. . Ali retired in the early 1980s and died in 2016, but remains the biggest boxing icon ever. Finding oneself is . If people are saying, 'Well he never said he could beat up Muhammad Ali.' And if he could repeat the feat, then Alis career would be in serious jeopardy. ', Pam Grier Thought Samuel L. Jackson's Fast 'Jackie Brown' Dialogue Would Make Her Fall Down the Stairs, Oscars 2023: Best Costume Design Predictions. "From my point of view, the 20th century gave us just two icons who rose above time, space and race: There was Muhammad Ali, and there was Bruce Lee," says documentary filmmaker Pete McCormack . Lee was known to be a very humble man and while the scene was certainly entertaining, it was inaccurate. 3. Cliff is not part of the sport that is like combat, he is a warrior. 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." He is so much taller and stronger. "The reality of the situation is this: Cliff is a Green Beret. Tarantino also defended that decision. Nicholas Raymond is a staff movies & TV features writer for Screen Rant. . Maybe he was cocky in as far as martial arts because he was very sure of himself. They share an almost mystical fan affection because of their unique skills, which are sometimes overlooked because of their impact on worldwide culture. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. In his later fights, Ali weighed in at about 230-pounds. More: Every Actor Bruce Lee Trained In Hollywood. But what if The Greatest took on another famous icon, someone that didnt actually fight for a living but is still regarded as one of the greatest martial artists of all time? Well, the problem with (them) is that they are the John L. Sullivans of the feet. Muhammad Ali would win, because Bruce Lee was an actor and not actually an athlete. 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. The weight and height advantage is massive. If you ask me the question, 'Who would win in a fight: Bruce Lee or Dracula?' Ken Norton, a former Marine, had broken his jaw and outpointed him in March 1973. Filmmakers were able to re-create "pretty much building-for-building what Spahn Ranch used to look like," says Schuler. "Bruce Lee was my friend and teacher," he explained. Unlike the Inoki affair, we can choose our rules. If people are saying, Well he never said he could beat up Mohammad Ali, well yeah he did. In his long career, Ali defended his title from an impressive number of 21 experienced challengers, many of which being some of the best fighters in the sport at the time. In the past, Lee claimed that if he ever met Ali, he would be assassinated. Thats a little Chinese hand. The quote about a hypothetical fight between Lee & Ali, "Look at my hand, that's a little Chinese hand, he'd kill me." Did Bruce Lee really say this? The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. "Bruce's right hand followed Ali's right hand, Ali's left foot followed Bruce's left foot. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. I read more of the quote somewhere online years ago, can't remember where, sorry. Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee never met. No purchase necessary. Hed kill me.". Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. JKD54. Everything you should know about Sharon Tate, 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood' is Tarantino's biggest debut ever. With that in mind, Lee started training with LeBell as both men developed a friendship that would last until Lee's death in 1973. If Bruce Lee truly believed that Ali could defeat him, that would be reason enough for Lee to take inspiration from him. 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. Back in 1966, however, LeBell was also working as a stuntman, and when he walked onto the set of "The Green Hornet,"Dobbins asked him to apply a headlock on Lee. Muhammad Ali eats Bruce Lee for breakfast. Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. Bruce Lee's exact age would be 81 years 5 months 15 days old if alive. 4 Enter the Sweepstakes and receive the RockMerch newsletter with exclusive product discounts. It makes perfect sense for Bruce Lee to think that he could learn something from Ali, even though their fighting styles were inherently different. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Ali's image from the screen. 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. The way he was talking, I didnt just make a lot of that up. And the UFC, meanwhile, might still be a barely-regulated promotion with fighters specializing in only one style, as opposed to the mixed martial arts (emphasis on mixed) juggernaut it is today. When Bruce Lee was younger, he predicted Muhammad Ali would kill him. To credit this as a mixed martial arts event, as some do, is overpraise. . A wonderful, wonderful man and a great martial artist.". In a straight boxing match, Lee, a 5-foot-7 lightweight, or junior welterweight at best, would have no chance. Ali could do things that Lee couldnt, and vica verca. 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. . Another time Yeung, aka [Bolo] went to see Bruce at Golden Harvest Studios. Bruce Lee fans have also taken Tarantino to task for the outcome of the fight scene. So if Cliff were fighting Bruce Lee in a martial arts tournament in Madison Square Garden, Bruce Lee would kill him. Ali was later hospitalized with blood clots. It also has a soundtrack packed with decade-appropriate big hits and deep cuts, with none of those present-day covers designed to make old music sound hip and modern to younger listeners. 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