What was left? "The reality of the situation is this: Cliff is a Green Beret. His name is Matthew Polly, and he's cool, and we spoke to him in June. He is a combat person. If i want to learn how to punch jabs, uppercuts, cross, etc., i would ask Ali to teach me that. Martial arts icon Bruce Lee admitted that the legendary Muhammad Ali would have 'killed him' in a crossover fight, according to Robert Clouse. The one thing that cannot be ignored in all this is that Lee was not a professional fighter. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is now playing in theaters. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. As explained by The Things, Bruce Lee was taking his status as a legitimate fighter a little too seriously when he was playing Kato on "The Green Hornet" in 1966. With that, the recent passing of Ali and some Ali-Lee chatter on social media in mind, we thought it would be interesting to explore a mythical Battle of Icons.. ', "Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali. 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. 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. Lee stood at 1.7 meters and weighed 61 kg. 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. The event was the Long Beach International Karate Championships, where three years earlier Lee's demonstration of such improbable physical feats as two-finger push-ups and one-inch punches got him the attention in the U.S. that led to the role of Kato on The Green Hornet. Hed kill me.'. He is a combat person., Tarantino concluded, If Cliff were fighting Bruce Lee in a martial arts tournament in Madison Square Garden, Bruce would kill him. The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee never met. He likely has more accurate strikes, and is significantly more durable. In the past, Lee claimed that if he ever met Ali, he would be assassinated. What Bruce Lee is talking about in the whole thing is that he admires warriors. "Bruce Lee was my friend and teacher," he explained. Enter the Sweepstakes and receive the RockMerch newsletter with exclusive product discounts. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. ', Pam Grier Thought Samuel L. Jackson's Fast 'Jackie Brown' Dialogue Would Make Her Fall Down the Stairs, Oscars 2023: Best Costume Design Predictions. 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. Everybody says I must fight Ali some day. Bruce said, Im studying every move he makes. Bruce said, 'I'm studying every move he makes. The French Normandy-style house where the murders took place was destroyed in 1994. 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. OP did say he based this on the Superman vs Muhammad Ali comic. No purchase necessary. "Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. With the grim news today that Muhammad Ali has been placed on life support, . Everybody says I must fight Ali some day. Bruce said, Im studying every move he makes. I'm getting to know how he thinks and moves. So what if Ali and Lee had gotten together? I heard him say things like that to that effect. Look at my hand, he said. The four friends did dine at the Hollywood landmark El Coyote on the night of the murders before going back to Tate's home. A number of people vehemently deny that, and if you're one of them, consider the following: Ali (left) attempts to evade kicks from wrestler Antonio Inoki. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. Enter the Dragon director Clouse, who worked closely with Lee for the 1973 cult classic, revealed that the Hong Kong-American former actor opened up about the outcome of the fight. Bruce Lee did say that, he meant in a boxing match. Bruce challenges Cliff to a three round fight, easily winning the first round by kicking Cliff to the floor within seconds. The lead jab is a feeler, wrote Lee in a chapter of the book entitled Tools. It is the basis of all other blows, a loose, easy stinger. 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. Lee was a boxing fan. Besides, Ronda Rouseytold Maximlast year that Ali would absolutely crush Lee in a street fight. He admires combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport. Speaking to Lee on the set of the 1973 film Enter the Dragon, director Robert Clause recalls the actor stating, "Everybody says . The legendary boxer remains an icon who stands tall in the history of the sport. But again, that's just my take: everyone will have their own opinions on this, and it's absolutely fair to think that the intention of the scene wasn't translated well in the execution. 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. On the other hand, Bruce Lee was a martial artist, a discipline known for its intricate techniques and strategies. Polanski was out of town shooting that summer. 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.". Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. Related: How Bruce Lee's One-Inch Punch Really Works. On the night of Aug. 8, Tate, 26, who was 8 months pregnant, had friends staying with her, including celebrity hair stylist and ex-boyfriend Jay Sebring (Emile Hirsch); Abigail Folger (Samantha Robinson), an heir to the Folger coffee family; and Abigail's boyfriend, Voytek Frykowski (Costa Ronin). The followers lived there for a year and a half, from the spring of 1968 until August 1969, when Manson was arrested. Bob Greenwade said. Tarantino takes liberties in depicting the actions of the Manson followers (which we will not spoil). The reality of the situation is this: Cliff is a Green Beret. Almost 8,000 miles away, in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, Muhammad Ali was training hard to avenge his second professional defeat. Alright? If you're a fan of 1960s pop culture, Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is a must-watch. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. 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. After initially refusing to do so, LeBell put Lee down and reassured him that he was "just kidding.". All Rights Reserved. Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. The story of Ali was unearthed in the 1970s by Mass Appeal. But in a devastating twist of fate, the Hong Kong actor didn't live to see his big breakout moment. "The philosophy of Lee is more powerful than the martial arts of Lee," says Little, author of "The Warrior Within: The Philosophies of Bruce Lee." "Everything that Bruce Lee did flowed from his mind and his thinking." And it flowed from his pride in his Chinese heritage as well. Bruce set up a wide full-length. "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 beating boxing champ Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) in a fight. I played Pookie (in New Jack City). 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. "'Everybody says I must fight Ali someday.' The problem was that Ali arrived at the Budokan Hall to face off with Inoki and nobody was laughing. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Alis image from the screen. What Bruce Lee is talking about in the whole thing is that he admires warriors. In the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Bruce Lee predicted that he would beat Muhammad Ali. That didnt come from nowhere. 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. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Cadwell found the depiction to be "just . I saw it in Thailand. Here are answers to the major questions. Im getting to know how he thinks and moves. Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali. Tarantino featured the 100-year-old Musso & Frank Grill and other famed Hollywood Boulevard locations in the film. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali. At four months old (April 1941), the Lee family returned to Hong Kong. Game of Death co-stars Dan Inosanto and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who were students of Lee, discussed Ali with their master on several occasions and the fluency of his footwork was what always caught Lees eye. In 1970, a wildfire destroyed most of the site's Western buildings. I was reading the Tyson vs Lee thread and I thought he'd have a chance here. Because he was a brilliant and seasoned professional who took hits for a living. Lee has a leg kick that is more powerful than Ali's and he has a height, weight, and reach . That said, the only way Bruce Lee could theoretically beat him is if he embraced more grappling techniques and avoided trading blows. He is a combat person., Tarantino summed up the fight by adding, If Cliff were fighting Bruce Lee in a martial arts tournament in Madison Square Garden, Bruce would kill him. Chris said of Will: "He played Muhammad Ali! In a straight boxing match, Lee, a 5-foot-7 lightweight, or junior welterweight at best, would have no chance. Legendary Boxer Muhammad Ali Has Died at Age 74. 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 admired and respected Ali, rightly judging him to be the finest proponent of one of the most effective weaponless combat disciplines in existence. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. But would he really have been stronger than Ali? The documentary showed Ali in several of his fights. Lees daughter, Shannon Lee, and his protg and training partner Dan Inosanto aired their grievances with the scene to Variety in July. 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). 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. Lee passed away in 1973 at the age of 32. The reality of the situation is this: Cliff is a Green Beret. Why? It also has a soundtrack packed with decade-appropriate big hits and deep cuts, with none of those present-day covers designed to make old music sound hip and modern to younger listeners. Did he fade when the going got tough? He admires combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport. Whatever the outcome, the Battle of Icons wouldve been one hell of an event. It makes perfect sense for Bruce Lee to think that he could learn something from Ali, even though their fighting styles were inherently different. Bruce was fighting in Ali's shoes. He knew Lewis personally and says Lewis told him one of the hardest kicks he'd ever endured was from Bruce Lee. 3. 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. Bruce Lee admired Muhammad Ali and had immense respect for him. (Given that Dalton is fictional, his house obviously wasn't next door.). Critics, including Inosanto, took umbrage with the scenes depiction of a stuntman holding his own against the Enter the Dragon actor, at one point catching Lees kick and throwing him into a car. More so, Bruce Lee certainly didnt ever think that he could beat Muhammad Ali if the two actually ever fought in real life. . 2023 RING TV LIVE. Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Ali's image from the screen. 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. Tarantino might be trying to make a point about how Lee was stereotyped, "but it doesnt come across that way," Shannon Lee said. Bruce Lee's exact age would be 81 years 5 months 15 days old if alive. Bruce's right hand followed Ali's right hand, Ali's left foot followed Bruce's left foot. 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? "Everything you see there is the real Musso & Frank's," says Schuler. 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. 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. Inosanto said, He was never, in my opinion, cocky. 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 . All Rights Reserved. "Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. Ali could do things that Lee couldnt, and vica verca. Instead of simply doing as he was instructed, LeBell grabbed Lee and placed him on his shoulders, running around the set as the Kato actor supposedly asked the judo expert to "put me down or I'll kill you!" A wonderful, wonderful man and a great martial artist.". 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. Cliff is not part of the sport that is like combat, he is a warrior. Assuming Polly is correct, Tarantino may have either misread the passage originally or be misremembering Lee's description. She absolutely said that.. In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. `` the reality of the situation is this: Cliff is a Green Beret he explained was training to! 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