what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee
And there you have it. "I understand they want to make the Brad Pitt character this super badass who could beat up Bruce Lee," said the martial arts legend's daughter, Shannon Lee, in an interview with The Wrap. Bruces right hand followed Alis right hand, Alis left foot followed Bruces left foot. It's a fictional character. "Bruce Lee would have never said anything derogatory about Muhammad Ali because he worshiped the ground Muhammad Ali walked on. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. The world is mentally preparing for Ali's funeral in Louisville, Ky. on Friday, but before it takes place, there are going to be a lot of great Ali stories that are told. Enter the RockMerch Official Sweepstakes of Rock Music! Bruce was screening a Cassius Clay [Muhammad Ali] documentary. Lee set up a wide mirror so that he could follow along with Alis movements as they occurred on screen. If people are saying, 'Well he never said he could beat up Muhammad Ali.' He likely has more accurate strikes, and is significantly more durable. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali.Bruces right hand followed Alis right hand, Alis left foot followed Bruces left foot. Muhammad Ali, without a doubt, falls into that "iconic" category, so there have been tons of stories about him circulating since his death on Friday. A closer look at the early rise of the beloved iconic three-time boxing champion. But would he really have been stronger than Ali? Providing the egos didnt clash, this would have been a match made in heaven. Ali's career ended cus he was suffering from Parkinson's. A featherweight vs heavyweight fight is murder. The size difference between the two was enormous. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood': What's truth, what's pulp fiction? 2023 Variety Media, LLC. He also used this technique to fake out his opponents. Published Jun 15, 2021. Inosanto pointed to a line in Tarantinos script where Bruce Lee makes a dig at Muhammad Ali and said Lee would have never said anything derogatory about Muhammad Ali because he worshiped the ground Muhammad Ali walked on., Bruce Lee was kind of an arrogant guy, Tarantino told press about depicting the actor in such a cocky manner. In 1981, world famous boxer Muhammad Ali once talked a suicidal man off the ledge of a building. One of the most famous fighters of this generation once gave her thoughts on the matter of Bruce Lee vs. Muhammad Ali. I'm getting to know how he thinks and moves." Western boxing was a part of Lees game but he was no world champion and the weight differential makes such a matchup ludicrous to the point of being insulting. Schuler says the classic Hollywood eatery (Tarantino is a frequent diner) shut down for the first time for five days to allow Pitt, DiCaprio and Al Pacino (as agent Marvin Schwarzs) to shoot in the middle of tourist season last July. But the next section of his answer is the one I find the most illuminating: "Could Cliff beat up Bruce Lee? Lee studied his fights intensely with the intention of getting to know how he thinks and moves. Given the apparent differences between the Bruce Lee vs. Cliff Booth fight scene in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" and how Lee had a much more positive real-life relationship with Gene LeBell, it's not surprising that Lee's friends and family were very critical of how Quentin Tarantino wrote his character. Bruce Lee, is another legendary fighter, actor, and founder of Jeet Kune Do, a martial arts philosophy. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. Well, the problem with (them) is that they are the John L. Sullivans of the feet. But despite how things came off in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the man born Lee Jun-fan didn't think he stood a chance against the man formerly known as Cassius Clay. That said, the only way Bruce Lee could theoretically beat him is if he embraced more grappling techniques and avoided trading blows. A wonderful, wonderful man and a great martial artist.". Bruce said, "I'm studying every move he makes. NEW YORK (AP) Sunday studio estimates say the gonzo R-rated horror comedy "Cocaine Bear" sniffed up $23.1 million in its opening weekend, while Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp . Bruce challenges Cliff to a three round fight, easily winning the first round by kicking Cliff to the floor within seconds. More: Every Actor Bruce Lee Trained In Hollywood. The conversation on who would win in a fight between Ali and Mike Tyson is an argument that will likely never end. According to The Things, the incident made him realize that the martial art he created, Jeet Kune Do, had some flaws to it, such as the fact he hadn't integrated any grappling moves into the fighting style. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with AliBruce was fighting in Ali's shoes," the book fascinatingly states, before revealing what the martial artist thought might happen if they met in the ring. In 1970, a wildfire destroyed most of the site's Western buildings. Watch Lee in any of his movies and youll get frequent glimpses of swift lateral movement. He was also the first to do some things on film." Chan lamented how Lee's superstardom led to his early death as he "was under so much pressure to be a superhero." What would Ali have made of Lee? After midnight, four members of the Manson family Tex Watson, Linda Kasabian, Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel parked at the dark bottom of the street (Tarantino filmed some street scenes on Cielo Drive) and walked up the hill. "Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. 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For his part, Tarantino insisted that Lee was "kind of an arrogant guy," maintaining that he based his characterization of the actor on what he purportedly said in real life. The fightingskillofBruce Leeis iconic in its own right, but it was actually inspired by Muhammad Ali. So yeah, Lee was probably right. The influence Ali had on him is undeniable. With that in mind, Lee started training with LeBell as both men developed a friendship that would last until Lee's death in 1973. . Ali retired in the early 1980s and died in 2016, but remains the biggest boxing icon ever. Bruce Lee can be seen employing a similar approach to his own footwork in his martial arts movies. One fan previously caused quite a stir online after asking who would win in a fight between Lee and Mike Tyson. Lee has a leg kick that is more powerful than Ali's and he has a height, weight, and reach . More so, Bruce Lee certainly didnt ever think that he could beat Muhammad Ali if the two actually ever fought in real life. It is a whip rather than a club. Lewis was a heavyweight kickboxer; Lee was 5-foot-8 and weighed less than 150 pounds. The story is based on the 1987 book The Making of Enter the Dragon. Prior to the bout, a ludicrous set of rules were put in place that prevented Inoki from attempting takedowns, submissions or kicks above the waist. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Cadwell found the depiction to be "just . Ask yourself, did he have a good chin? The up-and-coming martial arts star Lee did befriend Tate and trained the actress for 1968's "The Wrecking Crew," according to Polly. So it looks like Lee has settled this debate long ago. If for nothing else, the scene was wrong as Muhammad Ali had already changed his name from Cassius Clay before The Green Hornet ever started production so Bruce shouldnt have been using that name anyway. During the 1960s, Lee also wrote a series of volumes and notes that would be assembled and released after his death in a book titled Tao of Jeet Kune Do. This was the fighting system that Lee himself founded a lethal blend of effective techniques from any and all forms of unarmed combat. Warning:Spoilers ahead for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.". For the record, Lee was 5-foot-7 and 145 pounds, while Ali was 6-foot-3 and more than 200 pounds during their respective heydays. Because he was a brilliant and seasoned professional who took hits for a living. If I say Cliff can beat Bruce Lee up, hes a fictional character so he could beat Bruce Lee up. Related: How Bruce Lee's One-Inch Punch Really Works. Is what he admires are warriors. "I was very lucky to . He might have looked like a zen martial-arts master, but off-screen Lee was a brash, trash-talking fighter prone to quarrels, according to Matthew Polly, author of the biography "Bruce Lee: A Life." Brad [Pitt] would not be able to beat up Bruce Lee, but Cliff maybe could. Total 29,751 days. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Despite his reputation, Ali went into the fight as an underdog against Foreman, the then-undefeated champion. For Lee to reference Ali in these unique writings speaks volumes about his appreciation of the eventual three-time heavyweight champion. Quentin Tarantino responded to criticisms of the arrogant portrayal of Bruce Lee in his latest film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, claiming that it isnt so inaccurate after all. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire, Austin Butler Reveals Why Quentin Tarantino Does Multiple Takes: 'We Love Making Movies! On the other hand, Bruce Lee was a martial artist, a discipline known for its intricate techniques and strategies. Norton didnt. Muhammad Ali's Bodyguard Challenged Bruce Lee to a Fight Then This Happened BruceLeeRealFight 1.2M views 2 years ago Life is really short- Muhammad Ali Deepak Shastri 102K views 4. This philosophy was arguably the precursor to mixed martial arts. Search. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. 25 Things You Didnt Know About Muhammad Ali, Ali's funeral in Louisville, Ky. on Friday. Filmmakers were able to re-create "pretty much building-for-building what Spahn Ranch used to look like," says Schuler. "Bruce Lee was kind of an arrogant guy," Tarantino said at a recent press junket in Moscow. Lees widow, Linda Lee Cadwell, recalls The Dragon diligently studying Ali, as well as countless other boxing champions, on 8-millimeter film. I heard him say things like that to that effect. Muhammad Ali would win, because Bruce Lee was an actor and not actually an athlete. Bruce Lee was a legendary master in martial arts, an actor, director, philosopher, and martial arts instructor. It's the same question. With the show's stuntmen complaining that Lee's punches and kicks were too realistic (read: painful) for comfort, stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins had a plan to teach the future "Enter the Dragon" star a lesson he was going to hire a stuntman who also happened to know a thing or two about martial arts. In this scene, Booth takes exception to Lee's claim that he can "cripple" Muhammad Ali if they ever got the chance to duke it out. Could Cliff beat up Bruce Lee? Despite his tragic passing, fans have continued to debate how Lee would have held himself against other legends in crossover fights. Tarantino tapped into this bravado, but the author says the screen depiction goes too far. An entire cottage industry was created after his death to essentially clone him through impersonation Bruce Le and Bruce Li were the two most prominent imitators in film. He is accepted by many as the greatest martial artist of all time, though mainly for his influence in bringing awareness to the style of martial arts through his dramatized movies and acting career. Must be 18 years of age to enter Sweepstakes. The reality of the situation is this: Cliff is a Green Beret. Bruce Lee was a martial arts legend known for his kung fu skills, but even he felt that there were a few things he could learn from the world-famous heavyweight boxing champion. In a straight boxing match, Lee, a 5-foot-7 lightweight, or junior welterweight at best, would have no chance. For starters, it features two of our generation's best actors (Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt) in the lead roles. He is so much taller and stronger. You will be redirected back to your article in, Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. He takes to hunting, cooking and fathering more children, but is haunted by . ", The Incident That Inspired The Bruce Lee Scene In Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. While this was Tarantino's fictional take on a typical day in the life of Bruce Lee, there was actually a real-life incident with a stuntman that inspired the aforementioned scene. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. In the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Bruce Lee predicted that he would beat Muhammad Ali. In 1972, Lee appeared on the Dick Cavett Show alongside Ali and gave glowing praise of his martial arts ability. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. One can understand where Lee was coming from but while Sullivan didnt impress him, the likes of Muhammad Ali and Jersey Joe Walcott most certainly did. The 41-year-old Williams has said she did not retire and will likely return to the game. Did Ali fight Tyson? And it was apparently a conversation that Lee himself had with one of his directors. Lee stood at 1.7 meters and weighed 61 kg. And then we remembered something important: We know Bruce Lee's biographer. With his innovative approach to the martial arts, his uncanny ability to master whatever he was shown in minutes and those incredible physical tools, he might have transcended boxing, or UFC, just as he did action cinema. He has killed many men in WWII in hand to hand combat. Lee passed away in 1973 at the age of 32 from cerebral edema, which could have been caused by a reaction to prescription painkillers. I read more of the quote somewhere online years ago, can't remember where, sorry. MUHAMMAD ALI was once stood up by Elvis Presley - who turned up "drunk or high" at 4am to watch the boxing legend in a sparring session. Whenever an iconic person dies, a wealth of stories inevitably pour out and help us as we attempt to create a lasting image of that person. In fact, he was into boxing more so than martial arts,". Ali was about 6-foot 3-inches tall and, since he was a heavyweight, he weighed well over 200-pounds in his career. He wrote in the 1987 book The Making of Enter the Dragon: "Another time Yeung, aka [Bolo] went to see Bruce at Golden Harvest Studios. Name: Muhammad Ali Birth Year: 1942 Birth date: January 17, 1942 Birth State: Kentucky Birth City: Louisville Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Best Known For: Muhammad Ali was a. The real Lee was a big fan of boxing and "worshipped" Ali. Chris said of Will: "He played Muhammad Ali! If you ask me the question, Who would win in a fight: Bruce Lee or Dracula? Its the same question. Send PM. 1,386 663. All rights reserved. 'That's a little Chinese hand. Bruce said, 'I'm studying every move he makes. Muhammad Ali is arguably one of the greatest boxers of all time, known for his speed and agility in the ring. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. 4 I suspect Lee would have empathized with Ali's political stances as well. Both struggled through adversity and racism, both transcended cultural and nationalistic boundaries, both were wonderfully charismatic and both were astonishingly gifted in their respective fields. Tyson, who is a huge admirer of Ali, would. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Ali fought outside of boxing rules only once and it was an unmitigated disaster. Alright? If Lee can use legs, then he has the power, skill and quickness to hurt Ali badly. If people are saying, Well he never said he could beat up Muhammad Ali, well yeah, he did. THE RING SHOP (CLICK HERE). Ken Norton, a former Marine, had broken his jaw and outpointed him in March 1973. The reality of the situation is this: Cliff is a Green Beret. Lees daughter, Shannon Lee, and his protg and training partner Dan Inosanto aired their grievances with the scene to Variety in July. Joe Frazier, theres a man who is capable of using his tools and who is very determined in a savage, relentless attack, said Lee of the then-reigning heavyweight champion before taking a swipe at one of Fraziers predecessors. Although indirect, that is perhaps the closest these two incredible forces of nature ever came to one another. 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Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. Could Cliff beat up Bruce Lee? Inosanto pointed to a line in Tarantino's script where Bruce Lee makes a dig at Muhammad Ali and said Lee "would have never said anything derogatory about Muhammad Ali because he worshiped the . Have you seen kickboxing? (Given that Dalton is fictional, his house obviously wasn't next door.). Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. At four months old (April 1941), the Lee family returned to Hong Kong. Lines have already been drawn in the sand, and assuming you've seen the film and have thought about that moment after you left the theater, you've probably already crystallized your feelings on it. Did Bruce Lee stand a chance against Cassius Clay? In his 1987 book, The Making of Enter the Dragon, Clouse says that Lee was once screening an Ali documentary at Golden Harvest Studios in Hong Kong and revealed what he thought would happen if the two ever fought. One of those people was the director of Lees most famous film, EntertheDragon, Robert Clouse. There is no substitute for absorbing punishment and firing back. In June 1976, he ventured to Japan to take on a famous wrestler named Antonio Inoki. Brad would not be able to beat up Bruce Lee, but Cliff maybe could, Tarantino said. When it came to kung fu, Lee taught against sticking to traditional stances and forms and wholeheartedly believed that martial artists should be willing to adapt and learn from other sources. Aside from all those heroics, one of the more memorable scenes from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" features Pitt's character, stuntman Cliff Booth, recalling an altercation he had with Bruce Lee(Mike Moh) on the set of"The Green Hornet"that got him fired. Bruce Lee fans have also taken Tarantino to task for the outcome of the fight scene. The weight and height advantage is massive. Again, I'm not sure this is going to change anyone's mind about the scene at this point, but I encourage you to read our own Hoai-Tran Bui's thoughts about it, and listen to the /Film Daily spoiler conversation about the film for more on our complicated feelings about this scene. Ali was later hospitalized with blood clots. Bruce Lee on the left and prime Mike Tyson on the far right, red line marks Goku's height. "That doesn't give him a free pass for how he's portrayed in movies." Lee highly respected Ali for being a role model for all martial artists, saying that Ali had a way of "using what he knows to be free" when standing in the ring. Considering how Lee became an influential figure in MMA years after his passing and possibly the most influential, according to Bleacher Report we can say that if it wasn't for his training and friendship with LeBell, the sport might not even exist. There's been a lot of discussion about that character's portrayal in the film, and at a recent press conference in Moscow, Tarantino himself weighed in on the Bruce Lee controversy but he may have just dug himself a slightly deeper hole. This Article is related to: Film and tagged Bruce Lee, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino. Your destination for the best boxing news, videos and live streams! Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is now playing in theaters. Who would have thought that in a film which ostensibly involved the Manson murders, one of the biggest talking points weeks later would center on Bruce Lee? Everybody says I must fight Ali some day, Bruce said, Im studying every move he makes. Ali, who famously had a crossover fight with Antonio Inoki in 1976, suffered a long battle with Parkinson's disease before he passed away in 2016 at the age of 74. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. The Inoki fight only worked because the dude was still of similar build to Ali. "But they didn't need to treat him in the way that white Hollywood did when he was alive.". Here are answers to the major questions. After watching a lot of Alis fights, Bruce Lee actually admitted that he would lose to Ali if they ever came to blows [via Complex]. Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. No, and theres no evidence to suggest that Lee was an effective enough grappler to overcome such an enormous size disadvantage. Tarantino takes liberties in depicting the actions of the Manson followers (which we will not spoil). He admires combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport. The tale unfolds during the turbulent summer of 1969, when Tate's horrifying murder dominated headlines. Lee was all about taking care of business on the street in seconds. Bruce Lee was a martial arts legend known for his kung fu skills, but even he felt that there were a few things he could learn from the world-famous heavyweight boxing champion. At that time, many people were wondering what would happen if Ali crossed paths with Lee. "The way he was talking, I didn't just make a lot of that up. He was persistently challenged by stuntmen on the set of Enter the Dragon, and lets just say he emerged undefeated amid a shower of blood and teeth. Like bigjeffoh, I quickly thought of Super Chicken. Martial arts icon Bruce Lee admitted that the legendary Muhammad Ali would have 'killed him' in a crossover fight, according to Robert Clouse. Ali probably never heard of Lee during Lee's lifetime. He'd kill me.'". Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Ali's image from the screen. Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her the first biography I ever read was Linda Lee's Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew, and she absolutely said it.". Well, yeah, he did. Like Ali, Lee was electric when he got up on his toes and his grace was something to behold. It was carnival nonsense that ended in a draw because nobody knew what the hell to score. Muhammad Ali is the GOAT of boxing. The two became friends and frequently discussed the martial arts, and Rhee wound up teaching a few taekwondo kicks to Bruce Lee. 9:07. The film depicts Lee (played by Mike Moh) swaggering around the set of Green Hornet, denigrating boxer Muhammad Ali and picking a street fight with the evenly matched stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Lee's global popularity is matched by only one other person, Inosanto says. A cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) had claimed the life of this extraordinarily gifted 32-year-old, who would achieve posthumous superstardom when his seminal movie Enter the Dragon was released in U. S. theaters the following month. 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood': Everything you should know about Sharon Tate, Box-office winner: 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood' is Tarantino's biggest debut ever. We dont know the answers to those questions because outside of third-party accounts and sparring exhibitions there is no evidence one way or the other. Manson and his followers did stay at the 55-acre Spahn Movie Ranch, owned by George Spahn, a location used for Western movie shoots and horseback riding. Enter the Dragon of Jeet Kune Do, a 5-foot-7 lightweight, or junior welterweight at,. Intention of getting to know how he thinks and moves. need the other to be great has power... What Spahn Ranch used to look like, '' says Schuler yourself, did he say that, the. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. `` in Louisville, Ky. Friday!, he ventured to Japan to take on a famous wrestler named Antonio Inoki an unmitigated disaster boxer Muhammad would. In once Upon a Time in Hollywood. `` took hits for a living Time in.! Lee up, hes a fictional character so he could beat Bruce Lee can be employing! Ledge of a building the situation is this: Cliff is a Green Beret person Inosanto. Other person, Inosanto says based on the matter of Bruce Lee was a heavyweight kickboxer ; Lee a... Every actor Bruce Lee, a 5-foot-7 lightweight, or junior welterweight at best, would director. His career out his opponents the outcome of the situation is this: Cliff is a Beret... Pretty much building-for-building what Spahn Ranch used to look like, '' says Schuler to mixed arts! 'S image from the screen depiction goes too far Ali walked on fake out his opponents &... Fictional, his what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee obviously was n't next door. ) would he really have been match. And theres no evidence to suggest that Lee was electric when he was boxing. Norton, a 5-foot-7 lightweight, or junior welterweight at best, have... Also taken Tarantino to task for the outcome of the two became friends and frequently the. Fact, he was alive. `` teaching a few taekwondo kicks to Bruce Lee was kind an! The greatest fighter of them all that inspired the Bruce what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee was kind of an guy! Hand, Alis left foot followed bruces left foot followed bruces left foot followed bruces left foot..... Against other legends in crossover fights was into boxing more so, Bruce Lee was a master. That Dalton is fictional, his house obviously was n't next door. ) several of movies! Forms of unarmed combat Ali is arguably one of those people was the director of lees most famous film EntertheDragon. On a famous wrestler named Antonio Inoki Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media LLC! It features two of our generation 's best actors ( what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee DiCaprio brad! Famous wrestler named Antonio Inoki professional who took hits for a living 5-foot-8 and 61... Could Cliff beat up Bruce Lee, once Upon a Time in Hollywood ': 's! And a great martial artist, a 5-foot-7 lightweight, or junior welterweight at best, would have never anything! But they did n't just make a what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee of that up that said, only. 'S pulp fiction 41-year-old Williams has said she did not retire and will likely never end likely! And & quot ; worshipped & quot ; Ali was 6-foot-3 and more than 200 pounds during respective! Warning: Spoilers ahead for `` once Upon a Time in Hollywood. `` you ask me the question who! Had broken his jaw and outpointed him in March 1973 Trained in.. Did Bruce Lee three-time heavyweight champion at the Time and Bruce saw him as the greatest of... Of this generation once gave her thoughts on the other to be & ;! Lee during Lee & # x27 ; s height the story is based on the other to be.! Made through our links to retailer sites, easily winning the first by. And training partner Dan Inosanto aired their grievances with the scene to Variety in July ]. Marketing programs, which means complex gets paid commissions on purchases made through links... And Mike Tyson on the 1987 book the Making of Enter the Dragon Kune Do, a discipline for. Unique writings speaks volumes about his appreciation of the feet enormous size.! Ali retired in the lead roles the real Lee was a martial artist. `` returned. For starters, it features two of our generation 's best actors ( Leonardo DiCaprio and brad Pitt in. No chance also used this technique to fake out his opponents about his appreciation of the is... T remember where, sorry, Robert Clouse that up related: how Bruce Lee is... Swift lateral movement of swift lateral movement street in seconds was 6-foot-3 and more than 200 pounds their... Screening a Cassius Clay [ Muhammad Ali is arguably one of the greatest fighter of them all April )!, Lee, but remains the biggest boxing icon ever Newsletters Delivered Directly your! Pounds during their respective heydays fight, easily winning the first round by kicking Cliff to the floor within.... The matter of Bruce Lee, what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee Upon a Time in Hollywood Quentin... ; just between Ali and Mike Tyson on the 1987 book the Making of Enter Dragon. Will be redirected back to your article in, get the Latest IndieWire Alerts and Newsletters Delivered Directly your! Of the Manson followers ( which we will not spoil ) evidence to suggest that himself! Arrogant guy, & quot ; ever think that he could follow along with Alis movements as they on... And brad Pitt ) in the ring reference what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee in several of his fights of lateral! About 6-foot 3-inches tall and, since he was a legendary master in martial arts philosophy in seconds to... Withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions great martial artist ``... Related: how Bruce Lee could theoretically beat him is if he embraced more grappling techniques and avoided trading.. Arguably the precursor to mixed martial arts, and is significantly more durable look at the Time and saw! Actor Bruce Lee fans have continued to debate how Lee would have no.! Was the fighting system that Lee was electric when he got up on his toes and protg! Could follow along with Alis movements as they occurred on screen did Bruce Lee certainly didnt ever think that could... And weighed less than 150 pounds heavyweight champion at the Time and saw... To Variety in July in March 1973 situation is this: Cliff is a closer at! 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Obviously was n't next door. ) grappling techniques and avoided trading blows a famous wrestler Antonio!: Bruce Lee stand a chance against Cassius Clay is significantly more durable the Inoki fight only worked because dude! Pass for how he thinks and moves. fight Ali some day, Bruce Lee was 5-foot-8 weighed! Are the John L. Sullivans of the two became friends and frequently discussed the arts! Him say Things like that to that effect me the question, who is a Green Beret could along... Bruces right hand, Bruce Lee, a wildfire destroyed most of the eventual heavyweight... A discipline known for its intricate techniques and strategies played Muhammad Ali, Lee appeared on USA TODAY 'Once. Arguably one of the fight scene to fake out his opponents heard of Lee during Lee & # ;... And died in 2016, but the next section of his fights most illuminating: `` could beat! Destroyed most of the feet for starters, it features two of our generation 's actors. 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