Boxers often grapple with invisibility. Their palpable physicality in the ring is juxtaposed with societal blindness to their narratives, struggles, and individuality. Historically, many fighters, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, have become mere tools in a more extensive system, their essence reduced to a spectacle for the masses. This systematic erasure resonates with the very heart of Ellison’s work: the struggle for individual recognition in the face of overwhelming societal prejudice.

This dance of visibility and invisibility became even more pronounced during one of boxing’s most iconic moments, the World Heavyweight Championship in 1974. It was contested between former champion Muhammad Ali, and the then undefeated reigning champion, George Foreman. Earlier in 1974, Ali had defeated Joe Frazier for the right to take on Foreman for the Championship. The fight took place forty-nine years ago today – on 30 October 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). However, it was much more than a boxing match. Ali referred to the fight as the “Rumble in the Jungle”— and the name stuck. The Rumble transcended the world of sports, carrying profound historical, social, political, human rights, and cultural significance, both locally and internationally.

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights (CSHR) in partnership with the theatre company Rematch is hosting a special one-off performance of “Rumble in the Jungle Rematch” on 31 October 2023. Rematch re-imagines history’s greatest sporting moments as incredible immersive events. With this special event CSHR has the opportunity to bring together the sport and human rights community in London to connect with each other, and also pay tribute to the human rights legacy of Muhammad Ali. This is also a fitting and appropriate moment for the announcement of Dr. Harry Edwards as a new Patron of CSHR.