The Fight, Norman Mailer, 1975

“There are sporting events that transcend the world of sports, and the 1974 heavyweight title fight in which Muhammad Ali regained his crown by improbably kayoing George Foreman in the middle of the African night was certainly one of them. Metaphorically, it was a writer’s dream: two imposing black warriors, one all grace, the other brute force, one the iconoclast, the other the blind patriot, battling each other. Fatefully, the appropriate writer threw his pen into the ring. Norman Mailer’s masterful account goes far beyond the ropes to capture the primal ethos of the sport, the larger social canvas this particular fight was drawn on, and the remarkable cast of personalities—not the least of which is Mailer himself—who converged to make this “Rumble in the Jungle” a landmark in sports history and a clear knockout in Mailer’s journalistic portfolio.” (Amazon)

About the project: “LE TOUR is an ambient photo study of the Tour de France. Often referred to as La Grande Boucle, it is the most famous and prestigious road bicycle race in the world. Held annually since 1903, interrupted only by World Wars I and II.” About Brent Humphreys: “Brent Humphreys is a photographer based in Austin, Texas with a passion for cycling. It began as a youngster when he would borrow his mother’s 35mm to take pictures of his friends racing BMX and skateboarding. Now each summer he migrates to the Tour de France as part of an ongoing book project. His work can be seen regularly on the pages of The New York Times, Texas Monthly and Wired magazines.” (read more on the project Le Tour’s site). Check his website.

Howard L. Bingham @ M+B Gallery: “Ali Spying on Foreman”, Zaire, #C37, 1974, cibachrome print.

Shorpy Photo Archive: October 8, 1925. “Patent Office. Original baseball patented 1883 by S.D. Castle.” National Photo Company Collection glass negative.