The Rumble In the Jungle had cost George Foreman his championship and irrevocably altered his life. He'd not only lost to Muhammad Ali, but suffered the first knockout of his life (also what would remain the only knockout loss of his career).

Foreman would later say he was far more shocked than hurt by the final punches Muhammad Ali landed. It was the first time in Foreman's life he'd ever been knocked down, let alone knocked out. 

Foreman sought out a rematch with Muhammad Ali that never went anywhere. 

Foreman took time away from the sport for the remainder of 1974, and was inactive for all of 1975 also.

Finally, in 1976, Foreman announced a comeback on his way back to a championship that would elude him for nearly 20 years—when he shocked the world against Michael Moorer.

Foreman's first opponent would be the rugged Ron Lyle, whom Muhammad Ali had defeated by 11th round technical knockout the previous year. 

Before the first round was over, Foreman was staggering across the ring after enduring the punishment Lyle was dishing out. In the second round, Lyle was in trouble and desperately trying to survive, with Foreman coming on and landing blows that threw Lyle precariously against the ropes.

The third round had Foreman putting on the pressure while Lyle looked to counter off the ropes. By the fourth round, one of the epic slug fests in heavyweight history erupted. 

Lyle unleashed savage punishment on Foreman that sent him wheeling toward the canvas. Just as Foreman rose to his feet, Lyle nearly had him finished off once again. But, just as Foreman seemed on the brink, he managed to land a vicious right hand that floored Lyle.

Lyle, somehow, not only beat the count but came on with a brutal combination of his own that knocked Foreman down for the second time in the fight. As Foreman rose from the canvas, he stared down and saw his own blood dripping away. He would later say he had never been hit so hard or endured so much punishment as Lyle had inflicted that day. But Foreman beat the count. 

By the fifth round, both fighters had abandoned even the pretense of defense and instead traded heavy artillery in one of the crudest displays of might ever displayed.

Again, Lyle and Foreman took turns hurting each other and leaving the other dangerously out on their feet. Finally Lyle slowed down and ceased punching while Foreman commenced a vast series of unanswered blows that toppled Lyle.

Lyle was unable to survive the count and Foreman was awarded the victory.

The fight was voted "The Fight of the Year" by The Ring. 

Something tells me after you watch it you won't be surprised why. A classic.