The biopic Big George Foreman recounts the fascinating life story of boxing legend George Foreman, including his bout with Muhammad Ali, and it’s important to get the actor who plays the latter right. The story delves into the highs and lows of both his personal life and his professional boxing career. Foreman may be more well-recognized for his grills these days than his boxing career, but this movie will most assuredly dive into the latter in great detail.
One of the most influential boxing moments of his life was the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” with his rival Muhammad Ali, which is highlighted in the movie. It was important for the creators to get the casting just right for this important role, and they selected a relatively unknown actor to portray “The Greatest” when Big George Foreman hits the silver screen.
Muhammad Ali Is Played By Sullivan Jones In Big George Foreman
Sullivan Jones will play the legendary Muhammad Ali in Big George Foreman, and while he is far from a household name he has had several notable roles in his 10+ years as an actor. While much of his previous acting experience is in one-off TV episodes and smaller films like the thriller False Positive and the political comedy 18½, he has taken off with some extended roles since the beginning of 2022. He is currently featured in a recurring role as Jameson Royce in the Amazon Prime comedy “Harlem”, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Comedy. He is a member of the main cast on HBO’s “The Gilded Age”, where he stars as T. Thomas Fortune, a character based on real-life civil rights leader Timothy Thomas Fortune.
Jones’ role as Muhammad Ali is set to be his most significant showcase yet, as Ali was responsible for George Foreman’s first ever loss as a professional boxer. In Big George Foreman Ali plays the role of villain, and Jones was faced with the tall task of not only exhibiting the arrogance and bravado that is necessary to portray Muhammad Ali at the top of his game, but the physical speed and agility of boxing’s most recognizable star.
Muhammad Ali & George Foreman’s Real Boxing History & Rivalry Explained
The 1974 heavyweight title fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali known as the “Rumble in the Jungle” is widely regarded as one of the greatest sporting events of the 20th century. Foreman entered the fight with a record of 40-0 with 37 knockouts, and was a heavy favorite against the older former champion in Ali. However, Foreman’s superior power was no match for Ali’s speed, and as seen in Big George Foreman Ali handed Foreman his first loss, taking the heavyweight title off him in the process. Despite that being what Foreman would call “the most embarrassing moment” of his life, the two men did not remain bitter rivals after the fight.
In fact, despite all the posturing and conflict leading up to their famous fight, the two men became good friends afterward. A mutual respect for each other’s greatness was the building block for a lifelong friendship, with their children even becoming friends in the process. Ultimately Muhammad Ali played a significant role in George Foreman’s life as both an antagonist and ally, and in Big George Foreman Sullivan Jones confidently portrays the complexity of the legendary boxer.
