Forty years ago, one of the most iconic sporting events of all time took place.

In 1974, during the reign of dictator Mobutu in Zaire, legends Muhammad Ali and George Foreman did battle in a bout billed as the Rumble In The Jungle.

Veteran sports writer Jerry Izenberg was in the country to follow the fight at the time and tonight on Off The Ball, he shared his memories of a contest that got the Hollywood treatment and lives on in the collective memory.

From insights into meeting Mobutu and witnessing elements of his ostentatious dictatorship amid the poverty of Zaire, Izenberg also touched on Ali's mindset in the buildup to the fight and gave an eye-witness view of the fight tactics which saw Ali overcome Foreman.

Izenberg also recalled a powerful moment in Ali's presence which made him see the heavyweight legend as the King of the World, but also detailed how Ali was "tricked" into Ali v Frazier III.

Listen to the full interview via the podcast.