Muhammad Ali in Japan(01 of35)
Open Image ModalSurrounded by hustling and jostling photographers, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali arrives on Wednesday, June 17, 1976 at a Tokyo hotel to meet the press. Ali arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday in evening to fight the Japanese pro wrestler who disputes Ali?s claim to be the ?greatest,? and Ali predicted he would ?annihilate Antonio Inoki in the eighth round.? (AP Photo/TM) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali in Japan(02 of35)
Open Image ModalRaising his fist World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali shouts ?I?m going to whip him (Antonio Inoki) like a daddy whips a son? during a news conference at a Tokyo hotel on Wednesday, June 17, 1976. Ali, accompanied by pro wrestler Freddie Blassi (right), arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday in evening to fight Japanese pro wrestler Antonio Inoki in their ?martial arts championship? in Tokyo on June 26. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Rodney Bobick(03 of35)
Open Image ModalPro wrestler Freddie Blassie, right, appears to hold boxer Rodney Bobick in the corner of ring as world heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali punches his chin during his first workout in Tokyo on Thursday, June 17, 1976. Ali sparred two rounds with Bobick in preparation for his ?World Martial Arts Championship? fight against Japanese pro wrestler Antonio Inoki on June 26. Blassie is a wrestling coach for Ali. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali with Freddie Blassie(04 of35)
Open Image ModalWorld Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali shows his wrestling skill with pro. wrestler Freddie Blassie during a news conference on Wednesday, June 17, 1976 at a Tokyo Hotel. Ali meets Japanese pro. Wrestler Antonio Inoki in their ?Martial Arts Championship? in Tokyo on June 26. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali in Japan(05 of35)
Open Image ModalWorld Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali shakes hands with a Japanese girl in kimono upon his arrival on Wednesday, June 17, 1976 at Tokyo International Airport. Ali fights Japanese pro wrestler Antonio Inoki in their ?martial arts championship? in Tokyo on June 26. (AP Photo/SM) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki(06 of35)
Open Image ModalIf all he had to do to win was make faces Muhammad Ali would be a certain winner over Antonio Inoki, right, when the two meet in Tokyo on June 26 in what has been billed as the ?Martial Arts? championship of the world. Ali reacts after getting a crutch from wrestler Inoki who told him he?d need it after their bout. The pair met at a luncheon in Tokyo on Friday, June 18, 1976. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki(07 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali shows back a crutch presented to him by the world?s wrestling champion Antonio Inoki at a luncheon at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan in Tokyo on Friday, June 18, 1976. According to the Japanese giant, the world?s heavyweight champion will need the crutch after their bout in Tokyo on June 26, which has been billed as the ?world martial arts championship.? (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki(08 of35)
Open Image ModalIn a friendly tug of war, world?s boxing champion Muhammad Ali looks as if he is seriously pushing while world?s wrestling champion Antonio Inoki laughingly goes along with the show at the end of a luncheon at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan on Friday, June 18, 1976 in Tokyo, where both were the guests. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Antonio Inoki and Muhammad Ali(09 of35)
Open Image ModalAntonio Inoki smilingly takes it on the chin as Muhammad Ali show newsmen what he will be aiming for when they fight each other next week. The byplay came before a luncheon at the Foreign Correspondents Clue of Japan in Tokyo on Friday, June 18, 1976 during what was called a ?Preliminary weighin?. The rear, or official weighin will take place the day before their scheduled ?Martial arts championship? bout which will be on June 26. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Antonio Inoki and Muhammad Ali(10 of35)
Open Image ModalAntonio Inoki smilingly takes it on the chin as Muhammad Ali show newsmen what he will be aiming for when they fight each other next week. The byplay came before a luncheon at the Foreign Correspondents Clue of Japan in Tokyo on Friday, June 18, 1976 during what was called a ?Preliminary weighin?. The rear, or official weighin will take place the day before their scheduled ?Martial arts championship? bout which will be on June 26. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali with Iranian wrestlers(11 of35)
Open Image ModalWorld heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali is joined in this picture by hefty Iranian wrestlers of traditional ?Koshchi? after his training session at a Tokyo gym on Monday, June 21, 1976 for June 26 ?World Martial Arts? championship fight against Japanese pro wrestler Antonio Inoki. The Iranians came to the gym to encourage Ali. Behind them at center is Freddie Blassie, wrestling coach for Ali. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki(12 of35)
Open Image ModalWorld heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki, the Japanese wrestling king, sign an agreement at a Tokyo hotel on June 23, 1976 for their ?martial arts championship? on June 26. The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Daisuke Akita, Vice Speaker of Japan?s House of Representatives, and other officials. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki(13 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali pats the shoulder of Antonio Inoki saying that he is ready to fight the Japanese wrestler following their contract signing ceremony at a Tokyo Hotel on Wednesday, June 24, 1976. Ali meets Inoki for their winner-takes-all ?World Martial Arts Championship? in Tokyo on June 26. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki(14 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali world heavyweight boxing champion, grasps neck of his opponent, wrestler Antonio Inoki, flexes his muscles and shouts in Japanese, ?I?ll see you tomorrow? after their weigh-in at Tokyo Hotel on Friday, June 25, 1976. Inoki just stares back. Ali will step into the ring against Inoki in a scheduled 15-round match on Saturday for the so-called martial arts championship. Ali weighed 218 ¼ pounds and Inoki 221 ½, about 18 pounds less than he did three weeks ago. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali(15 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali throws a left at a sandbag during workout at a Tokyo gym on Wednesday, June 23, 1976. The world heavyweight boxing champion meets Japanese pro wrestler Antonio Inoki in the world?s ?Martial Arts Championship? in Tokyo on Saturday. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Antonip Inoki(16 of35)
Open Image ModalWorld heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, standing on scale, left, gestures at his opponent, National Wrestling Federation (NWF) world heavyweight champion Antonip Inoki, of Japan, during their weight-in at a Tokyo hotel on Friday, June 25, 1976. They will meet for the so-called World Martial Arts championship in Tokyo on June 26. (AP Photo/Ut) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali(17 of35)
Open Image ModalI?ll Slaughter Inoki,? shouts Muhammad Ali in his training session on Monday, June 21, 1976 in Tokyo. The world heavyweight boxing champ went on six rounds of sparring with Rodney Bobbick and Jimmy Ellis for the so called ?World Martial Arts? title bout with Japanese pro wrestle Antonio Inoki on June 26 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/SM) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali(18 of35)
Open Image ModalWorld heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, left, steps out of a Muslim mosque in Tokyo on June 25, 1976 after taking part in the Friday prayers, a day before the World Martial Arts Championship against Japanese pro wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Antonio Inoki and Muhammad Ali(19 of35)
Open Image ModalWrestler Antonio Inoki, left, and world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali shake hands after a 15-round boxing- wrestling fight held on Saturday, June 26, 1976 at Tokyo?s Budckan Hall. Ali said, ?He did his best and I did my best,? as the fight, billed as the World Martial Arts Championship, ended in a draw. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Chuck Wepner and Antonio Inoki(20 of35)
Open Image ModalJapanese pro wrestler Antonio Inoki clamps leg hold on boxer Chuck Wepner of Bayonne, New Jersey who once faced Muhammad Ali, during sixth round of a bout at Tokyo?s Budokan Hall, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1977. Wepner yielded in that round of the fight, which was billed as a contest to determine the world?s strongest man in the martial arts. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki(21 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali sticks his tongue out at Antonio Inoki as the Japanese wrestler keeps out of range of the world heavyweight boxing champion?s attack during the third round of their 15-round boxing-wrestling martial arts title bout in Tokyo on Saturday, June 26, 1976. Ali won the war of word over Inoki but the fight itself ended in a draw. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki(22 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali couldn?t get to punch, sting like a bee or ropeadope wrestler Antonio Inoki so he just stood over his opponent and made faces at him during their 15-round encounter at Tokyo?s Budokan Hall on Saturday, June 26, 1976. This was billed as the Martial Arts Championship. The fight ended in a draw. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Antonio Inoki and Muhammad Ali(23 of35)
Open Image ModalAntonio Inoki kicks Muhammad Ali to pull him down on the canvas 8th round of their 15-round of the World Martial Arts Championship fight in Tokyo on Saturday, June 26, 1976. Both fighters fought to a draw. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki Boxing(24 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali is evading Antonio Inoki on the corner in the 4th round of their scheduled 15 round bout at Budokan Hall, in Tokyo on Saturday, June 26, 1976. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
World Martial Arts Championship(25 of35)
Open Image ModalWorld heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali is shown trying to evade kicks by wrestler Antonio Inoki during their 15-round World Martial Arts match on July 26, 1976 in Tokyo. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
World Martial Arts Championship(26 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali upends Antonio Inoki in the first round of their scheduled 15 round bout on Saturday, June 26, 1976 at Budokan Hall, Tokyo. (AP Photo/MC) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
World Martial Arts Championship(27 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali holds wrestler Antonio Inoki from the back in the fifth round Saturday, June 26, 1976 in Tokyo. The boxing-wrestling bout ended in a draw. (AP Photo/TM) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
World Martial Arts Championship(28 of35)
Open Image ModalJapanese pro wrestler Antonio Inoki kicks the back of Muhammad Ali\'s leg in an attempt to trip him down on the mat during their boxing wrestling bout on June 26, 1976 at the Budokan Hall in Tokyo. Inoki challenged the World Heavyweight boxing champion in a 15-round fight billed as \"World Martial Arts championship.\" But the fight ended in a draw before the 14,000 spectators who paid from 17 to 1,000 U.S. dollars for their seat. Ali was to receive 6.1 million dollars and Inoki up to 4 million. (AP Photo/MC) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
World Martial Arts Championship(29 of35)
Open Image ModalMuhammad Ali kicks at Antonio Inoki in the first round of their scheduled 15 round bout Saturday, July 26, 1976 at Budokan Hall, Tokyo. (AP Photo/MC) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Inoki Ali Boxing 1976(30 of35)
Open Image ModalJapanese pro wrestler Antonio Inoki kicks the back of Muhammad Ali\'s leg in an attempt to trip him down on the mat during their boxing-wrestling bout at the Budokan Hall in Tokyo, June 26, 1976. Inoki challenged the World Heavyweight boxing champion in a 15-round fight billed as \"World Martial Arts Championship.\" But the fight ended in a draw before the 14,000 spectators who paid from 17 to 1,000 U.S. dollars for their seats. Ali was to receive 6.1 million dollars and Inoki up to 4 million. At right is American referee Gene Lebell. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
ALI INOKI WRESTLING(31 of35)
Open Image ModalUnable to fight like a boxer, or a wrestler, Muhammad Ali resorted to verbal abuse, taunting, wisecracks, and an occasional sticking out of his tongue in his encounter against wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo\'s Budokan Hall, June 26, 1976. The 15 round bout for what was billed as the World\'s Martial Arts Championship, ended in a draw. (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
ALI INOKI WRESTLING(32 of35)
Open Image ModalUnable to fight like a boxer, or a wrestler, Muhammad Ali resorted to verbal abuse, taunting, wisecracks, and an occasional sticking out of his tongue in his encounter against wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo\'s Budokan Hall, June 26, 1976. The 15 round bout for what was billed as the World\'s Martial Arts Championship, ended in a draw. (AP Photo/stf) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Boxer Muhammad Ali v Antonio Inoki(33 of35)
Open Image ModalTOKYO, JAPAN: Boxer Muhammad Ali (L) fights with wrestler Antonio Inoki at Nihon Budokan on June 26, 1976 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sankei Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Sankei Archive via Getty Images)
Boxer vs Wrestler(34 of35)
Open Image Modal26th June 1976: Heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali fighting the champion Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki at Budokan Hall in Tokyo. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (credit:Keystone via Getty Images)
World Martial Arts Championship(35 of35)
Open Image ModalAmerican referee Gene Lebell raises the left hand of Muhammad Ali and right hand of Antonio Inoki as he declares the fight between the boxer and the wrestler a draw at the Budokan Hall in Tokyo Saturday, June 26, 1976. The world Heavyweight boxing champion was challengeed by the Japanese wrestler in a 15-round boxing wrestling fight billed as \"World Martial Arts Championship\". (AP Photo) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)