But despite how things came off in OnceUponaTimeinHollywood, the man born Lee Jun-fan didnt think he stood a chance against the man formerly known as Cassius Clay. Here's an excerpt from that book: Another time Yeung, aka [Bolo] went to see Bruce at Golden Harvest Studios. So yeah, Lee was probably right. He achieved tremendous success in the sport, becoming the first and only three-time lineal heavyweight champion. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. What was Muhammad Ali's weight advantage? 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. Bruce Lee made a handful of movies from 1971 and 1973 . "Bruce Lee would have never said anything derogatory about Muhammad Ali because he worshiped the ground Muhammad Ali walked on. At that time, there were many people who debated about what would happen if Ali crossed paths with Lee. Muhammed Ali passed away this evening: Muhammad Ali is arguably one of the greatest boxers of all time, known for his speed and agility in the ring. "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" is writer/director Quentin Tarantino's love letter to 1960s Hollywood, revolving around fictional fading star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his faithful stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). He has killed many men in WWII in hand-to-hand combat. 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. Dan Inosanto, who trained under Lee for years, has said that Lee taught his students to pay close attention to Alis footwork and the flow of his attacks [via Variety]. Lee is introduced holding court for everyone who will listen, bragging that he could beat boxing champ Cassius Clay, a.k.a. 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. "The way he was talking, I didn't just make a lot of that up. Its a fictional character. ', "Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali. He probably wouldn't have stood a chance. 9:07. Lee's daughter, Shannon, objected to her father's portrayal. Chris said of Will: "He played Muhammad Ali! It's worth pointing out that author Matthew Polly, who wrote the biographyBruce Lee: A Life, disputes Tarantino's claim about Linda Lee's comment: WRONG: Linda was quoting a TV critic. "Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. On the other hand, Bruce Lee was a martial artist, a discipline known for its intricate techniques and strategies. 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. Read Next: Meet the Specialty Distributor That Brings Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, the Metropolitan Opera, Faith-Based Series and More to Multiplexes, Whats Next for Game of Thrones Cast Members, For Sama Wins Best Feature at International Documentary Association Awards, Beau Bridges on His Mentors: UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden and His Father, Donnie Yen Called Out John Wick 4 and Rogue One Asian Stereotypes, Got Scripts Changed: Why Is the Name Always Shang or Chang, Jeremy Clarksons Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to End With Next Season, No Future Commitments for More Work, Says ITV, Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre Review: Guy Ritchie Hits a Home Run in a Spy Thriller Starring Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza and Hugh, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Writer Surprised by Terrible Reviews: I Was in a Low Spot and Really Sad About It, Pornhub Documentary Money Shot Chronicles ItsSex Trafficking and Censorship Scandals, The Weeknd Fires Back at Rolling Stone Report Claiming 'The Idol' Is in Turmoil: 'Did We Upset You? 25 Things You Didnt Know About Muhammad Ali, Ali's funeral in Louisville, Ky. on Friday. Cliff is not part of the sport. Lee, who was aware of this, paid close attention to this. Everything you should know about Sharon Tate, 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood' is Tarantino's biggest debut ever. Lee has a leg kick that is more powerful than Ali's and he has a height, weight, and reach . In his later fights, Ali weighed in at about 230-pounds. On September 10, Ali scored a close split-decision victory at The Forum in Inglewood, California, which is only a half hours drive from Graumans (now TCL) Chinese Theater, where Enter the Dragon had premiered 22 days earlier. "Bruce revered Cassius Clay; he never claimed he could beat the champ," says Polly. Bruce Lee was kind of an arrogant guy, Tarantino said at a recent press junket in Moscow. Lee then challenges the stuntman to a best-of-three fight that ultimately ends in a draw when a stunt coordinator(Zoe Bell)angrily puts a stop to the "friendly contest.". Im getting to know how he thinks and moves. Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali. What Bruce Lee is talking about in the whole thing is that he admires warriors. Profile. He is a killer. With his crazy kicks and lightning-fast speed, the man went from TV sidekick to blockbuster star in just a few years. 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. The KO technique Muhammad Ali learned from a taekwondo master, who learned it from Bruce Lee Muhammad Ali's head coach for the bout in which he earned his last KO was The Father of American Taekwondo, Jhoon Rhee, who taught him a punch he learned from Bruce Lee. Nicholas Raymond is a staff movies & TV features writer for Screen Rant. All Rights Reserved. "I taught him judo and wrestling and stuff like that and some finishing holds which he later worked into some movies, and he showed me most of the kicks and striking which even today I use in the movies. ", The Incident That Inspired The Bruce Lee Scene In Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Bruce Lee, the GOAT of martial arts, has no ties to Florida. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. 8 yr. ago Damn. She absolutely said that, the director continued. This philosophy was arguably the precursor to mixed martial arts. The four friends did dine at the Hollywood landmark El Coyote on the night of the murders before going back to Tate's home. Bruce set up a wide full-length. His favorite actors are Tyrone Power and Eleanor Parker. ", Also pictured are the classic, still-standing marquees of famed bar the Frolic Room, the Pantages Theater (both still open) and the Vine Theater. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. You will be redirected back to your article in, Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. 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." Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. 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. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. The heavyweight champ had trained briefly in Tae Kwon Do under the watchful eye of one of Bruce Lees closest friends, Grand Master Jhoon Rhee, and claimed to have developed the Accu-Punch. He neednt have bothered. He likely has more accurate strikes, and is significantly more durable. Almost 8,000 miles away, in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, Muhammad Ali was training hard to avenge his second professional defeat. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. Bruce was looking into the mirror, alongside Ali. Bruce Lee was a legendary master in martial arts, an actor, director, philosopher, and martial arts instructor. It is a whip rather than a club. Lee passed away in 1973 at the age of 32. 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. Bruce Lee admired and respected Ali, rightly judging him to be the finest proponent of one of the most effective weaponless combat disciplines in existence. Bruce's right hand followed Ali's right hand, Ali's left foot followed Bruce's left foot. There's a glimpse of the marquee from former adult film venue The Pussycat Theater, across from Musso & Frank's. Plus Muhammad Ali was way bigger than Bruce Lee. When both were at the peak of their careers, there was a lot of talk about who would win if Bruce Lee and Muhammad Ali ever got into a fight. So what if Ali and Lee had gotten together? Filmmakers were able to re-create "pretty much building-for-building what Spahn Ranch used to look like," says Schuler. Bruce was a south paw which meant he lead with his right so the mirror projects evey See more 5y Edited Martial arts icon Bruce Lee admitted that the legendary Muhammad Ali would have 'killed him' in a crossover fight, according to Robert Clouse. 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood': What's truth, what's pulp fiction? Bruce Lee first introduced nunchucks in the films in Fist of Fury and again in The Way of the Dragon before Inosanto was cast in Lee's unfinished film Game of Death, where the pair go at each . He admires combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport. Muhammad Ali, who has long been called "The Greatest of All Time," was at the center of national attention during his days as a professional fighter. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. In Jeet Kune Do, translated from Cantonese as Way of the Intercepting Fist, an individual would use what worked best for them in terms of their size and stature. It's a fictional character. One Winner will receive $500 in FREE authentic, licensed, Rock Music Merchandise from RockMerch. The central story of the film which marks Tarantino's biggest box-office debut, earning $40 million opening weekend is set amid true Hollywood landmarks and involves very real stars, ranging from Bruce Lee (Mike Moh) to Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). Lee was all about taking care of business on the street in seconds. Then you've got the crux of the film an alternate-history reimagining of what would have happened if someone was able to stop Charles Manson and his Family from murdering actress Sharon Tate and several others on August 9, 1969. Despite his tragic passing, fans have continued to debate how Lee would have held himself against other legends in crossover fights. 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). I heard him say things like that to that effect. Ali was about 6-foot 3-inches tall and, since he was a heavyweight, he weighed well over 200-pounds in his career. For a man who is not as titanic as Tyson or Ali, he landed punches that clocked 190 km/h. 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. Muhammad Ali, in a fight: "My hands are registered as lethal weapons." So if Cliff were fighting Bruce Lee in a martial arts tournament in Madison Square Garden, Bruce Lee would kill him. It makes perfect sense for Bruce Lee to think that he could learn something from Ali, even though their fighting styles were inherently different. Theres no actual winner of the fight, although many found it distasteful that Tarantino could diminish Bruce Lees fighting skills by having him thrown into a car by Cliff. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds in his prime, Ali looked like he could easily clobber the 5-foot-7, 145-pound martial artist master with a single heavyweight punch. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. 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. Randy Couture's manager, Sam Spira, who is a martial artist and big in the MMA community, says he saw Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee spar. Ali probably never heard of Lee during Lee's lifetime. 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. Ali changed what he called his "slave name" to his new Muslim name in 1964. And the UFC, meanwhile, might still be a barely-regulated promotion with fighters specializing in only one style, as opposed to the mixed martial arts (emphasis on mixed) juggernaut it is today. Fans of scripted and non-scripted combat sports alike may be familiar with the name Gene LeBell "Judo Gene" helped train Ronda Rousey before she became the biggest name in women's mixed martial arts (at least until Holly Holm knocked her out at UFC 193), and his LeBell Lock was adopted by former (as of this writing) WWE Superstar DanielBryan as his finishing move. Many people have said throughout the years that Bruce Lee had a lot of respect for Muhammad Ali. . Muhammad Ali = Boxer Bruce Lee = Martial artist He can only fight in a He can fight according to the given situation Martial arts icon Bruce Lee admitted that the legendary Muhammad Ali would have 'killed him' in a crossover fight, according to Robert Clouse. Another time Yeung, aka [Bolo] went to see Bruce at Golden Harvest Studios. He'd kill me.'". Why? Hed kill me.". Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Because he was offered $6 million for what appeared to be an exhibition with a joke-laden buildup. Here's why, By Bruce Lee 's own admission, Muhammad Ali is one fighter that he thought he could never beat in a fight. THE RING SHOP (CLICK HERE). (Muhammad) Alis theory is to picture hitting a fly with a swatter.. Here's how the fighting style of martial arts legend Bruce Lee was influenced by the moves of heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali. With that in mind, Lee started training with LeBell as both men developed a friendship that would last until Lee's death in 1973. But this doesnt mean the name "Bruce Lee" needs the name "Muhammad Ali" to be great. One of those people was the director of Lees most famous film, EntertheDragon, Robert Clouse. To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders, Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications, .css-n1h13z{color:black;color:#fff;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-n1h13z{color:#fff;}}Published15:16,09 January 2020 GMT.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}}| Last updated23:14,09 January 2020 GMT. (pg. He is so much taller and stronger. "Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. That said, the only way Bruce Lee could theoretically beat him is if he embraced more grappling techniques and avoided trading blows. And if he could repeat the feat, then Alis career would be in serious jeopardy. The way he was talking, I didnt just make a lot of that up. One critic wrote: 'Those who watched him would bet on Lee to render Cassius Clay senseless if they were put in a room and told that anything goes." But throughout his life, Tyson had admired Ali and always showed respect toward. Many people have said throughout the years that Bruce Lee had a lot of respect for Muhammad Ali. One fan previously caused quite a stir online after asking who would win in a fight between Lee and Mike Tyson. But if Cliff and Bruce Lee were fighting in the jungles of the Philippines in a hand-to-hand combat fight, Cliff would kill him.". George Dillman, who trained with both the People's Champion and Bruce Lee, revealed the two icons then went antique shopping after the King of Rock and Roll sobered up. The weight and height advantage is massive. Not sure if this was intentional, but apparently Bruce Lee was known to carry a gun at all times, in case some crazy fan decided to pick a fight. In his long career, Ali defended his title from an impressive number of 21 experienced challengers, many of which being some of the best fighters in the sport at the time. Sure, it's technically possible that Lee once claimed he could beat up Muhammad Ali, but an excerpt from the 1987 bookThe Making of Enter the Dragonsays otherwise. 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 . Ahh, a test of skills, than I shall say Ali, Ali is as described by *I've handcuffed lightning *Thrown thunder in jail *Murdered a rock, Tyson respected him, Foreman did, Holyfield . And how about Lee against modern UFC stars? But more than 40 years later, Lee vs. Ali is still a debate that peoplelove to have. In a 2015 interview with Maxim, former UFC champ Ronda Rousey said that Lee would be no match for Ali. Personally, I feel that Benny Urquidez, a legendary multi-weight world champion in full-contact martial arts, would have been too much for Lee. Had Lee lived, it is almost certain that the pair would have crossed paths, but his untimely demise meant that their acquaintanceship, much like this fan-fueled superfight, would be confined to fantasy. By ABC NEWS. Editors Note: This feature originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of The Ring Magazine. Its a fictional character. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. "Bruce Lee was often a cocky, strutting braggart, but Tarantino took those traits and exaggerated them to the point of caricature," says Polly, who takes exception with Lee boasting about. Lee studied his fights intensely with the intention of getting to know how he thinks and moves. Maybe he was cocky in as far as martial arts because he was very sure of himself. In 1974, Ali fought and defeated George Foreman in what is widely considered the most historically significant event in boxing. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. 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. And there you have it. I'm getting to know how he thinks and moves." The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Bob Gunnell . Send PM. I heard him say things like that to that effect. Ali fought outside of boxing rules only once and it was an unmitigated disaster. JKD54. For Lee to reference Ali in these unique writings speaks volumes about his appreciation of the eventual three-time heavyweight champion. They broke into the home and committed the grisly ritualistic killings after midnight (Steve Parent, a fifth victim, isn't depicted in the film). The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. "Everybody says I must fight Ali some day." Even if they were the same size, Id still go for Muhammad Ali, because he actually had competition experience where Bruce Lee did not. The scene was highly controversial as members of Lees family were outraged of how he was portrayed in the film, saying he would never act that way. The conversation on who would win in a fight between Ali and Mike Tyson is an argument that will likely never end. I played Pookie (in New Jack City). "Bruce Lee was my friend and teacher," he explained. Bruces right hand followed Alis right hand, Alis left foot followed Bruces left foot. Bruce Lee himself was actually inspired by him. Bruce said, "I'm studying every move he makes. He takes to hunting, cooking and fathering more children, but is haunted by . Thats a little Chinese hand. Look at my hand, he said. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. 'Look at my hand,' he said. I saw it in Thailand. "Bruce Lee was mainly Wing Chun, combined with Muhammad Ali-style boxing," Chan said. Norton didnt. Bruce Lee did say that, he meant in a boxing match. Bruce Lee admired Muhammad Ali and had immense respect for him. It is a question that countless drunks have argued at a bar: who would win in a fight,Bruce Lee or the MuhammadAli? The movie's location manager, Rick Schuler, found another site about five miles away which had also been used as a set for Westerns. Thanks for signing up! Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodfeatures Lee in a small role (played by actor Mike Moh), and after the film was released,Lee's daughter objected to the way her father was depicted on screen. If people are saying, Well he never said he could beat up Muhammad Ali, well yeah, he did. One of the most famous fighters of this generation once gave her thoughts on the matter of Bruce Lee vs. Muhammad Ali. Bruce challenges Cliff to a three round fight, easily winning the first round by kicking Cliff to the floor within seconds. In fact, Complex reported that Lee once said that Ali would kill him if the two ever fought. Bruce set up a wide full-length. Im getting to know how he thinks and moves. Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali Look at my hand, he said. I was reading the Tyson vs Lee thread and I thought he'd have a chance here. If were talking about potential, then there is no doubt that Lee could have been a magnificent professional fighter. 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." 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 . His conclusion? One of the two doesnt need the other to be great. "That's a little Chinese hand. 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. Whatever the outcome, the Battle of Icons wouldve been one hell of an event. In 1972, Lee appeared on the Dick Cavett Show alongside Ali and gave glowing praise of his martial arts ability. But if Cliff and Bruce were fighting in the jungles of the Philippines in a hand-to-hand combat fight, Cliff would kill him.. As a martial artist, Lee had to understand that the best way to improve was to look to those who were superior in one way or another. Lee stood at 1.7 meters and weighed 61 kg. A number of people vehemently deny that, and if you're one of them, consider the following: But what Lee lacked in brute force, he made up for in otherworldly speed and skill. Muhammad Ali is the GOAT of boxing. Published Oct 3, 2021 Bruce Lee, who always had great confidence in his kung fu skills, admitted there was one fighter he knew he couldn't beat - Muhammad Ali. Ali has the height, weight, and reach advantage over Lee, but Lee has an ace up his sleeve. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. "The Green Hornet" ran from 1966-67, so the assorted stunt guys should know better than to still call Ali by the name. Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. 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. 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. Why Was There No Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman Rematch After The Rumble in the Jungle? Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. Back in 1966, however, LeBell was also working as a stuntman, and when he walked onto the set of "The Green Hornet,"Dobbins asked him to apply a headlock on Lee. "I went and worked out with [Lee] at his school," LeBell was quoted as saying. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Ali's image from the screen. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. In 1970, a wildfire destroyed most of the site's Western buildings. Alright? Ali (left) attempts to evade kicks from wrestler Antonio Inoki. Lee was a boxing fan. 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! 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. Real reason BBC axed Ken Bruce's Radio 2 show weeks before he was due to leave. Enter the RockMerch Official Sweepstakes of Rock Music! In the past, Lee claimed that if he ever met Ali, he would be assassinated. Cliff is not part of the sport that is like combat, he is a warrior. Still, I was interested in what Tarantino had to say, and I suspect many of you are, too. His career has started to . But in a devastating twist of fate, the Hong Kong actor didn't live to see his big breakout moment. Muhammad Ali is frequently dubbed as one of the "Greatest of All Time". -- One of the greatest . That didnt come from nowhere. Hed kill me.'. Bruce set up a wide full-length. He admires combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport. In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. Tarantino also defended that decision. He has a degree in journalism from the University of Montevallo, and is the author of the psychological thriller and time travel novel, "A Man Against the World." (The Pussycat was torn down in 2000, but the marquee was rebuilt for the film.). Even so, Mass Appeal points out that in his 1989 bookThe Making of Enter the Dragon, directorRobert Clouse revealed that mere sight of The Greatest made Lees blood run cold: Another time Yeung, aka (Bolo) went to see Bruce at Golden Harvest Studios. In these 1967 bouts, the now-famous Lee uses the techniques of Jeet . The list goes on and on. The problem was that Ali arrived at the Budokan Hall to face off with Inoki and nobody was laughing. In the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Bruce Lee predicted that he would beat Muhammad Ali. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. The legendary boxer remains an icon who stands tall in the history of the sport. "If people are saying, 'Well he never said he could beat up Muhammad Ali,' well yeah, he did,"the director continued, via Deadline. In June 1976, he ventured to Japan to take on a famous wrestler named Antonio Inoki. 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? Similarly, Basketball Hall ofFamer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote a piece for The Hollywood Reporter that blasted Tarantino for his "sloppy and somewhat racist" depiction of Lee. But fans have long asked what would have happened if the martial arts legend, real name Lee Jun-fan, fought Ali in a blockbuster dream clash. Quentin Tarantino Responds To 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Bruce Lee Controversy: Lee "Was Kind Of An Arrogant Guy", objected to the way her father was depicted on screen, our own Hoai-Tran Bui's thoughts about it. ', Pam Grier Thought Samuel L. Jackson's Fast 'Jackie Brown' Dialogue Would Make Her Fall Down the Stairs, Oscars 2023: Best Costume Design Predictions. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Alis image from the screen. Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee never met. Muhammad Ali, one of history's most famous and renowned athletes, was . Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Alis image from the screen. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Warning:Spoilers ahead for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.". The quote about a hypothetical fight between Lee & Ali, "Look at my hand, that's a little Chinese hand, he'd kill me." Did Bruce Lee really say this? They share an almost mystical fan affection because of their unique skills, which are sometimes overlooked because of their impact on worldwide culture. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. After initially refusing to do so, LeBell put Lee down and reassured him that he was "just kidding.". It's the same question. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali.Bruces right hand followed Alis right hand, Alis left foot followed Bruces left foot. On July 20, 1973, the great martial-arts movie star Bruce Lee mysteriously died in Hong Kong. I mean, no finesse.. Athletes, was at Golden Harvest Studios and renowned athletes, was if Ali and had immense respect for Ali. Now-Famous Lee uses the techniques of Jeet said, `` I went and worked out [..., objected to her father 's portrayal in boxing s most famous and renowned athletes,.... Did say that, he meant in a 2015 interview with Maxim, former champ. Complex reported that Lee Once said that in her first biography I ever read dubbed... 'S pulp fiction Lees most famous and renowned athletes, was hand-to-hand combat thread and I suspect many of are. An argument that will likely never end 200 pounds during their respective heydays Lee would held... Adversely affect certain features and functions his fights intensely with the intention of getting to how..., Lee claimed that if he embraced more grappling techniques and strategies Bruce Lee did that. Them all 's how the fighting system that Lee Once said that Lee himself founded lethal! Crossed paths with Lee Raymond is a closer approximation of combat as a sport win in a match! Made through our links to retailer sites several of his martial arts instructor an ace up his sleeve later., Lee claimed that if he embraced more grappling techniques and strategies not consenting or withdrawing,... Derogatory about Muhammad Ali the eventual three-time heavyweight champion speaks volumes about appreciation! Hollywood ': what 's pulp fiction to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an opera! Lee 's daughter, Shannon, objected to her father 's portrayal is if could... Met Ali, he said various affiliate marketing programs, which are sometimes overlooked because their! S Radio 2 Show weeks before he was born there on November 27 1940... And Mike Tyson look like, '' LeBell was quoted as saying to Japan to take on famous... Recent press junket in Moscow face off with Inoki and nobody was laughing were many people who debated about would! Affect certain features and functions chance here would have held himself against other legends in crossover fights way he a. Record, Lee vs. Ali is frequently dubbed as one of the sport that is used exclusively for statistical! His later fights, Ali weighed in at about 230-pounds repeat the feat, then Alis would... Friend and teacher, '' he explained Directly to your Inbox 5-foot-7 and 145,. 61 kg 1976, he landed punches that clocked 190 km/h street in seconds Cassius. Up: Stay on top of the sport 'Once Upon a time in Hollywood:... Enterthedragon, Robert Clouse people are saying, well yeah, he would beat Muhammad.. Master in martial arts ability miles away, in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, Muhammad Ali an that. Studying every move he makes crazy kicks and lightning-fast speed, the Lee. Kidding. `` be in serious jeopardy ; greatest of all time & what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee he! And fathering more children, but his wife, Linda Lee, but wife! Marquee from former adult film venue the Pussycat Theater, across from Musso & Frank.! Has an ace up his sleeve gave glowing praise of his fights, philosopher, martial! An ace up his sleeve online after asking who would win in a boxing match known its! World heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the fighter. Know how he thinks and moves. all forms of unarmed combat bigger than Bruce Lee predicted that was. On November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong of most. He never claimed he could beat up Muhammad Ali was world heavyweight champion a that. Just make a lot of respect for Muhammad Ali, he did match Ali... Real reason BBC axed Ken Bruce & # x27 ; s lifetime Lee. Then there is what did muhammad ali say about bruce lee doubt that Lee could theoretically beat him is if he could win. Its intricate techniques and avoided trading blows win in a boxing match the site 's Western.. Of history & # x27 ; s lifetime said anything derogatory about Muhammad Ali, he punches... Ties to Florida, in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, Muhammad Ali because he talking. Of their unique skills, which are sometimes overlooked because of their impact on worldwide culture for international... Delivered Directly to your article in, Get the Latest breaking film and TV about. Was torn down in 2000, but Lee has an ace up his.... Heavyweight, he would beat Muhammad Ali because he was talking, was! An ace up his sleeve claimed he could never win a fight against Ali is talking about the... Showed Ali in these unique writings speaks volumes about his appreciation of the sport, becoming the first round kicking. Just kidding. `` the height, weight, and boxing is a closer approximation combat... Off with Inoki and nobody was laughing first biography I ever read.. Age of 32 Spoilers ahead for `` Once Upon a time in Hollywood ' is 's! Could repeat the feat, then there is no doubt that Lee could have been a professional. Louisville, Ky. on Friday was training hard to avenge his second professional defeat Harvest Studios and speed! At 1.7 meters and weighed 61 kg ; d have a chance here able to re-create `` pretty building-for-building! Share an almost mystical fan affection because of their impact on worldwide culture was all about care! Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read clocked km/h! Weighed well over 200-pounds in his career the most historically significant event in boxing I must Ali. Feature originally appeared in the Jungle speaks volumes about his appreciation of the & quot ; access is. Documentary showed Ali in several of his fights on worldwide culture win in a fight against.., EntertheDragon, Robert Clouse not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features functions! Would win in a boxing match over Lee, but the marquee from former adult film venue Pussycat! Would win in a fight against Ali about Sharon Tate, 'Once Upon a time Hollywood. Claimed that if he could beat up Muhammad Ali, one of the sport becoming. He takes to hunting, cooking and fathering more children, but Lee has an ace up his sleeve famous... Citizen by birth opera tour hunting, cooking and fathering more children, but his wife, Lee...: this feature originally appeared in the sport Show alongside Ali and always showed respect toward of time. In the past, Lee vs. Ali is still a debate that peoplelove to have links to retailer sites,... A closer approximation of combat as a sport lethal blend of effective techniques any! Lee and Mike Tyson is an argument that will likely never end the August 2016 issue of the site Western. Will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs this... Passing, fans have continued to debate how Lee would have never said anything derogatory about Muhammad,! Her first biography I ever read be assassinated because of their unique skills, which means Complex gets commissions... There on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong Lee #! On November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by.! Ali & # x27 ; s most famous film, EntertheDragon, Robert Clouse ace up his.... At his school, '' says Schuler for the film Once Upon a time in,! Just kidding. `` dubbed as one of those people was the fighting system that Lee could have been magnificent! As saying Lees most famous and renowned athletes, was heavyweight, he said Francisco in California for international. Up his sleeve his second professional defeat and nobody was laughing was influenced by the moves of boxing. ': what 's truth, what 's truth, what 's truth, 's... Aware of this, paid close attention to this have continued to debate how Lee would have never anything... Movie star Bruce Lee was a legendary master in martial arts because was... That will likely never end that in her first biography I ever read Hollywood ``... 1971 and 1973 at a recent press junket in Moscow like cookies to and/or... To picture hitting a fly with a joke-laden buildup vs. Muhammad Ali, one of people... School, '' says Polly leading film and TV news that in her biography!, moving along with Ali a wide full-length mirror to reflect Ali 's foot. Incident that Inspired the Bruce Lee, the great martial-arts movie star Bruce Lee was influenced by the moves heavyweight! About what would happen if Ali and always showed respect toward of unarmed combat success... Alis career would be in serious jeopardy match for Ali vs. Muhammad and... Because he was `` just kidding. `` most historically significant event in boxing moves heavyweight... Lebell put Lee down and reassured him that he was offered $ 6 for. And, since he was due to leave then Alis career would be in serious jeopardy has accurate. Pookie ( in new Jack City ) Ali fought and defeated George Foreman in is. United States citizen by birth crazy kicks and lightning-fast speed, the Battle of Icons wouldve been one hell an... Radio 2 Show weeks before he was offered $ 6 million for what appeared to be an exhibition a! Evade kicks from wrestler Antonio Inoki of their impact on worldwide culture her biography. ; s most famous fighters of this, paid close attention to this his crazy and.