Boxing dreams live on in Congo’s grassroots sports clubs 50 years after the “Rumble in the Jungle”.
GOMA, Congo (AP) — A punch crunches into the side of Daniella Muleketsi’s face. She grimaces at the pain, and the crowd holds its breath in fear for their homegrown boxing hope.
It is 20-year-old Muleketsi’s first professional fight and it takes place in her hometown of Goma in eastern Congo. It is a mark that will stay with her forever – a triumphant debut or a bitter defeat.
This tournament was held at the weekend by Nyama Boxing Club to commemorate perhaps the greatest fight of all time. Muhammad Ali came to the Central African country and defeated the then undefeated George Foreman at the “Rumble in the Jungle” on October 30, 1974 and once again became the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
That fight half a century ago made Ali a legend. It also offered a glimpse of Congo, then called Zaire and in the grip of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
As Congo celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Rumble on Wednesday, boxing dreams live on not only in the capital Kinshasa – where the Ali-Foreman fight took place – but also at grassroots events like Nyamas in Goma, a city in the heart of a region, which has experienced conflict, displacement and crises for decades.
While this shadow of suffering and hardship hangs over almost everything happening in Goma now, the boxing tournament attracted a surprisingly large and enthusiastic crowd to the open-air arena in the Volcans district.
In the ring, Congo’s Muleketsi shook off the blow that sent her flying backwards and rallied against her more experienced opponent, “Scary” Charity Mukami of Kenya. Mukami is a 12-fight veteran and a one-time world title contender. Muleketsi fought for a points victory and a victorious professional debut.
The referee held up her right arm as she enjoyed the applause and cheers. In her other hand she held a blue, red and yellow Congolese flag.
“My goal is to become world champion one day. I won’t stop working until I get there,” said Muleketsi, who is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds and started boxing at the age of 16 under the tutelage of her uncle, a regional boxing official.
She wasn’t born when Ali beat Foreman, but she, like so many Congolese, has heard stories of the Rumble in the Jungle.
“The fight of the century between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman inspires every professional boxer,” she said. “I want my name to be registered in boxing in my country and around the world.”
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AP Africa News: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
