He has killed many men in WWII in hand-to-hand combat. Bruces right hand followed Alis right hand, Alis left foot followed Bruces left foot. Tyson made his professional boxing debut in 1985, while Ali fought his last professional fight in 1981. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing, GET THE LATEST ISSUE AT On July 20, 1973, the great martial-arts movie star Bruce Lee mysteriously died in Hong Kong. If I say Cliff can beat Bruce Lee up, he's a fictional character, so he could beat Bruce Lee up.". I saw it in Thailand. A cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) had claimed the life of this extraordinarily gifted 32-year-old, who would achieve posthumous superstardom when his seminal movie Enter the Dragon was released in U. S. theaters the following month. "The way he was talking, I didn't just make a lot of that up. The legendary boxer remains an icon who stands tall in the history of the sport. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. "Everything you see there is the real Musso & Frank's," says Schuler. Bruce was a south paw which meant he lead with his right so the mirror projects evey See more 5y Edited If Bruce Lee truly believed that Ali could defeat him, that would be reason enough for Lee to take inspiration from him. Bruce was fighting in Ali's shoes. Western boxing was a part of Lees game but he was no world champion and the weight differential makes such a matchup ludicrous to the point of being insulting. "I was very lucky to . Martial arts icon Bruce Lee admitted that the legendary Muhammad Ali would have 'killed him' in a crossover fight, according to Robert Clouse. It's worth pointing out that author Matthew Polly, who wrote the biographyBruce Lee: A Life, disputes Tarantino's claim about Linda Lee's comment: WRONG: Linda was quoting a TV critic. Cadwell found the depiction to be "just . Cliff is not part of the sport that is like combat, he is a warrior. Then you've got the crux of the film an alternate-history reimagining of what would have happened if someone was able to stop Charles Manson and his Family from murdering actress Sharon Tate and several others on August 9, 1969. I heard him say things like that, to that effect. Nicholas' love for telling stories is inspired by his love for film noir, westerns, superhero movies, classic films, and ancient history. ', Pam Grier Thought Samuel L. Jackson's Fast 'Jackie Brown' Dialogue Would Make Her Fall Down the Stairs, Oscars 2023: Best Costume Design Predictions. 9:07. Bruce Lee was 5'8 130lbs while Ali was 6'3 215lbs. In the Season 4 episode "Smoke," Mike chimes in to the break room discussion about who would beat whom in a fight, Bruce Lee or Muhammad Ali, by asking whether Bruce Lee had a gun. I heard him say things like that to that effect. Muhammad Ali would win, because Bruce Lee was an actor and not actually an athlete. Watch Lee in any of his movies and youll get frequent glimpses of swift lateral movement. Naturally, were talking about Bruce Lee. 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. Ali, who famously had a crossover fight with Antonio Inoki in 1976, suffered a long battle with Parkinson's disease before he passed away in 2016 at the age of 74. That logic echoes what I personally believe to be the point of including Lee in this film at all: what stunt coordinator Robert Alonzo described asthe purpose of the scene, which was to "explain to the audience the level at which Cliff was [operating]." For his part, Tarantino insisted that Lee was "kind of an arrogant guy," maintaining that he based his characterization of the actor on what he purportedly said in real life. But if Cliff and Bruce were fighting in the jungles of the Philippines in a hand-to-hand combat fight Cliff would kill him.. "I taught him judo and wrestling and stuff like that and some finishing holds which he later worked into some movies, and he showed me most of the kicks and striking which even today I use in the movies. On the other hand, Bruce Lee was a martial artist, a discipline known for its intricate techniques and strategies. I mean, no finesse.. 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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. All Rights Reserved. Bruce challenges Cliff to a three round fight, easily winning the first round by kicking Cliff to the floor within seconds. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Alis image from the screen. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. Despite his tragic passing, fans have continued to debate how Lee would have held himself against other legends in crossover fights. "Bruce Lee was mainly Wing Chun, combined with Muhammad Ali-style boxing," Chan said. Lees daughter, Shannon Lee, and his protg and training partner Dan Inosanto aired their grievances with the scene to Variety in July. Editors Note: This feature originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of The Ring Magazine. Bob Greenwade said. Bruce Lee first introduced nunchucks in the films in Fist of Fury and again in The Way of the Dragon before Inosanto was cast in Lee's unfinished film Game of Death, where the pair go at each . Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. "It was all in the way he moved - the way he moved made him famous. He comes across as an arrogant (expletive) who was full of hot air, she told The Wrap. All Rights Reserved. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. 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. But what Lee lacked in brute force, he made up for in otherworldly speed and skill. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. YOU GET TO CHOOSE your own prize! Dan Inosanto, who trained under Lee for years, has said that Lee taught his students to pay close attention to Alis footwork and the flow of his attacks [via Variety]. Many people have said throughout the years that Bruce Lee had a lot of respect for Muhammad Ali. Ali was about 6-foot 3-inches tall and, since he was a heavyweight, he weighed well over 200-pounds in his career. Thats a little Chinese hand. Because he was a brilliant and seasoned professional who took hits for a living. So yeah, Lee was probably right. Ali fought outside of boxing rules only once and it was an unmitigated disaster. Everybody says I must fight Ali some day, Bruce said, Im studying every move he makes. Sure, it's technically possible that Lee once claimed he could beat up Muhammad Ali, but an excerpt from the 1987 bookThe Making of Enter the Dragonsays otherwise. Bruce set up a wide full-length. He takes to hunting, cooking and fathering more children, but is haunted by . The one thing that cannot be ignored in all this is that Lee was not a professional fighter. Muhammad Ali = Boxer Bruce Lee = Martial artist He can only fight in a He can fight according to the given situation He has killed many men in WWII in hand to hand combat. 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. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Did Ali fight Tyson? Bruce Lee was kind of an arrogant guy, Tarantino said at a recent press junket in Moscow. 25 Things You Didnt Know About Muhammad Ali, Ali's funeral in Louisville, Ky. on Friday. However, much of the setup is accurate. Muhammad Ali is frequently dubbed as one of the "Greatest of All Time". Lee actually incorporated Alis footwork into his own fighting style. Chris said of Will: "He played Muhammad Ali! Not sure if this was intentional, but apparently Bruce Lee was known to carry a gun at all times, in case some crazy fan decided to pick a fight. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is now playing in theaters. Lee passed away in 1973 at the age of 32. "Everybody says I must fight Ali some day." Bruce was screening a Cassius Clay [Muhammad Ali] documentary. Given the apparent differences between the Bruce Lee vs. Cliff Booth fight scene in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" and how Lee had a much more positive real-life relationship with Gene LeBell, it's not surprising that Lee's friends and family were very critical of how Quentin Tarantino wrote his character. Although indirect, that is perhaps the closest these two incredible forces of nature ever came to one another. 1,386 663. The two are neck and neck in the third round when the fight is broken up. Must be 18 years of age to enter Sweepstakes. "Bruce Lee was kind of an arrogant guy," Tarantino said. One Winner will receive $500 in FREE authentic, licensed, Rock Music Merchandise from RockMerch. Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her the first biography I ever read was Linda Lee's Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew, and she absolutely said it.". His conclusion? In 1972, a telephone conversation was recorded by one of his first-generation students, Daniel Lee (no relation). In 1964, Rhee met Bruce Lee at Ed Parker's International Karate Championship in Long Beach, California. It's a fictional character. Here's why, By Bruce Lee 's own admission, Muhammad Ali is one fighter that he thought he could never beat in a fight. So what if Ali and Lee had gotten together? The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. The weight and height advantage is massive. Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali never fought inside the squared circle. If Lee can use legs, then he has the power, skill and quickness to hurt Ali badly. He admires combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport. Why? He admires combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport. If you ask me the question, Who would win in a fight: Bruce Lee or Dracula? Its the same question. Bruce Lee was tiny, and Muhammad Ali was a heavyweight! 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. It's the same question. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Who would have thought that in a film which ostensibly involved the Manson murders, one of the biggest talking points weeks later would center on Bruce Lee? 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. Muhammad Ali, one of history's most famous and renowned athletes, was . Lee studied his fights intensely with the intention of getting to know how he thinks and moves. The Bruce Lee conversation surrounding this movie has become somewhat fraught: the scene is a vortex of discussions about Asian representation on screen, whether a cinematic icon has been given the proper amount of respect, and why Tarantino chose to use Lee in the first place, just to name a few. Lee's global popularity is matched by only one other person, Inosanto says. Muhammad Ali's Bodyguard Challenged Bruce Lee to a Fight Then This Happened BruceLeeRealFight 1.2M views 2 years ago Life is really short- Muhammad Ali Deepak Shastri 102K views 4. 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood': What's truth, what's pulp fiction? Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. But in a devastating twist of fate, the Hong Kong actor didn't live to see his big breakout moment. Ali, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, called it time on his professional boxing career after defeats to Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. . 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. The reality of the situation is this: Cliff is a Green Beret. A closer look at the early rise of the beloved iconic three-time boxing champion. In these 1967 bouts, the now-famous Lee uses the techniques of Jeet . "Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. Ask yourself, did he have a good chin? The list goes on and on. I was reading the Tyson vs Lee thread and I thought he'd have a chance here. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. That didnt come from nowhere. 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But on a set, hes not gonna show off. He added, Bruce Lee would have never said anything derogatory about Muhammad Ali because he worshiped the ground Muhammad Ali walked on., Shannon told Variety, He was continuously marginalized and treated like kind of a nuisance of a human being by white Hollywood, which is how hes treated in the film by Quentin Tarantino.. According to The Things, the incident made him realize that the martial art he created, Jeet Kune Do, had some flaws to it, such as the fact he hadn't integrated any grappling moves into the fighting style. So if Cliff were fighting Bruce Lee in a martial arts tournament in Madison Square Garden, Bruce Lee would kill him. "Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. Ali's career ended cus he was suffering from Parkinson's. A featherweight vs heavyweight fight is murder. 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. Here are answers to the major questions. . Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. In his 1987 book, The Making of Enter the Dragon, Clouse says that Lee was once screening an Ali documentary at Golden Harvest Studios in Hong Kong and revealed what he thought would happen if the two ever fought. 'Look at my hand,' he said. The . . To credit this as a mixed martial arts event, as some do, is overpraise. Ali probably never heard of Lee during Lee's lifetime. This philosophy was arguably the precursor to mixed martial arts. Join our newsletter to get info about latest events and deals! Enter the RockMerch Official Sweepstakes of Rock Music! 88) (3/11), Matthew Polly (@MatthewEPolly) August 12, 2019. When Bruce Lee was younger, he predicted Muhammad Ali would kill him. Martial arts icon Bruce Lee admitted that the legendary Muhammad Ali would have 'killed him' in a crossover fight, according to Robert Clouse. The way he was talking, I didnt just make a lot of that up. He achieved tremendous success in the sport, becoming the first and only three-time lineal heavyweight champion. Both struggled through adversity and racism, both transcended cultural and nationalistic boundaries, both were wonderfully charismatic and both were astonishingly gifted in their respective fields. 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is now playing in theaters so what if and. 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