Congo Gears up for 50th Anniversary of Boxing’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’

In this photo taken on October 30, 1974 shows the fight between US boxing heavyweight champions, Muhammad Ali (L) and George Foreman in Kinshasa. (AFP)
In this photo taken on October 30, 1974 shows the fight between US boxing heavyweight champions, Muhammad Ali (L) and George Foreman in Kinshasa. (AFP)
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Congo Gears up for 50th Anniversary of Boxing’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’

In this photo taken on October 30, 1974 shows the fight between US boxing heavyweight champions, Muhammad Ali (L) and George Foreman in Kinshasa. (AFP)
In this photo taken on October 30, 1974 shows the fight between US boxing heavyweight champions, Muhammad Ali (L) and George Foreman in Kinshasa. (AFP)

A half century since the "Rumble in the Jungle" was beamed around the world from the Congolese capital, the city is preparing for anniversary celebrations to mark the heavyweight showdown that inspired a generation of boxers.

Underdog Muhammad Ali triumphed over the then-undefeated champion George Foreman on Oct. 30, 1974 in a match that became legend.

Ahead of the festivities being organized by the Democratic Republic of Congo's presidency and the US Embassy, about 20 boxers from across Africa recalled the fight as they sparred at a sports ground in Kinshasa during an amateur championship this month.

"The fight of the century ... is a great memory for us. It's a cause for great celebration for the Congolese because it happened here," said Tshilombo Mukadi, coach of Congo's national boxing team.

"It means a lot to the young people, we encourage them with this so as not to erase history."

His boxers were among those ducking and weaving in the dusky light at the open air ground, gearing up for the 21st African Amateur Boxing Championship.

"Muhammad Ali was more technical and made an impressive spectacle. We can learn a lot from following his movements," said Zadia Modestine, a boxer from Kinshasa whom Mukadi had earlier put through her paces.

The televised fight attracted some of the world's most prominent figures to a country known by most westerners at the time only for its periodic bouts of instability.

In victory, Ali regained the world title seven years after it was stripped from him for refusing to be drafted to fight in Vietnam, cementing his iconic status which has endured to this day.



Salah Strikes Late to Earn Liverpool Point at Arsenal

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Manchester, England. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Manchester, England. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
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Salah Strikes Late to Earn Liverpool Point at Arsenal

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Manchester, England. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Manchester, England. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Mohamed Salah rescued Liverpool as the Egypt star's late equaliser earned a pulsating 2-2 draw against title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Arne Slot's side were on the brink of only their second defeat this season until Salah netted with nine minutes left at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool had fallen behind to Bukayo Saka's early opener and, although Virgil van Dijk equalised, Mikel Merino put Arsenal back in front before half-time.

Salah's eighth goal in 13 games in all competitions this season was aided by Arsenal's latest rash of injuries, with defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber both forced off in the second half, AFP reported.

Manchester City were the real winners on Sunday as the draw in north London ensured they finished the weekend on top of the Premier League.

Unbeaten City, who beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday, are one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool, with third-placed Arsenal sitting five points adrift of top spot.

It was only the second time Liverpool had failed to win since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the close-season, starting his Anfield reign with 12 victories from 13 games in all competitions.

Even so, Liverpool will be happier with the point after showing impressive resolve to twice come from behind against a fellow title contender.

Arsenal were left to lick their wounds after the defensive injuries that left them fatally exposed.

They were already without Riccardo Calafiori, sidelined by an injury suffered against Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek, while William Saliba served a suspension following his dismissal in last weekend's loss at Bournemouth.

Mikel Arteta's side have now gone two league games without a win, leaving them with only three victories in their last seven top-flight matches in a major setback to their hopes of a first title since 2004.

Saka, back from two games out with injury, had given Arsenal the perfect start in the ninth minute.

Ben White's sublime long pass sent Saka surging down the right flank before he deftly cut back into the Liverpool area, leaving Andrew Robertson trailing in his wake as he lashed a fierce close-range strike into the roof of the net.

Merino nearly gifted Liverpool an immediate equaliser when he carelessly let the ball run to Salah, who rifled his shot just wide from the edge of the area.

So often over the last two seasons, Arsenal have been dead ball masters thanks to their set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, but for once they were exposed as Liverpool drew level in the 18th minute.

Luis Diaz beat Kai Havertz to flick on Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner and Van Dijk got in front of Thomas Partey as the Dutch defender stooped to head home from close-range.

But Arsenal's prowess from set-pieces enabled them to regain the lead in the 43rd minute.

Declan Rice's teasing free-kick arrowed into the Liverpool area and Merino was perfectly placed to thump his header past Caoimhin Kelleher from six yards.

A lengthy VAR check followed to confirm Merino was just onside as the Spain midfielder celebrated his first goal since his close-season arrival from Real Sociedad.

Arsenal keeper David Raya plunged to his right to keep out Alexis Mac Allister's header on the final seconds of a thrilling first half.

Arteta's already makeshift defense suffered another blow when Gabriel limped off with a knee injury after a challenge from Darwin Nunez early in the second half.

Without their first choice centre-back, Arsenal adopted a more cautious approach and Raya was booked for time-wasting with over 20 minutes to play.

But the Gunners lost Timber to an injury in the closing stages as their defensive issues reached crisis point and handed Liverpool a lifeline.

With just nine minutes left, Arsenal's under-manned rearguard was ruthlessly exposed as Alexander-Arnold's lofted pass sent Nunez clear of teenage substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Nunez slipped in the unmarked Salah and he slotted home as Arsenal slumped to the turf in frustration.