Development
Ali's Big Mouth
On April 22nd, 1975, Sankei Sports Newspaper reported that Ali and Inoki fight.
Ichiro Yada, then-president of Japan Amateur Wrestling Association, met Ali in a party in the U.S.. Ali asked Yada, "Isn't there any Oriental fighter to challenge me? I'll have one million dollar if he wins." Yada brought this comment home and told the press.
Ali was famous for his big mouth, and it can be imagined that this comment was only a whim. However, Inoki took this seriously and started chasing Ali consitently.
Giving the "Response" to Ali, who came to Japan
On June 9th, 1975, Ali stopped in Japan on his way to the title defense against Joe Bagner in Malaysia and had a press conference. Through Toyohisa Sugita, New Japan's manager of outside relations, Inoki sent Ali a "response to the comment" instead of a "challenge".
Toyohisa gave the letter to Ali during the press conference.
Ali, with his big mouth, "interesting. I'll do that". However, Ali's manager denied the comment.
Still, Inoki doesn't give up
Although the plan was about to be forgotten, Inoki spread an English pamphlet saying "Ali, don't run away" all over the world. This caused a by-product that Willem Ruksa saw this and challenged Inoki.
Behind the scene, Inoki successfully built a contact with Ronald Holmes who had a strong relationship with Ali and started the actual negotiation.
Signing in New York
On March 25th, the signing was held at the Plaza Hotel in New York. 90% of the negotiation was done before this day, but rules and money weren't reached until the last minute.
After all, they never came to an agreement for the rules, but they agreed to pay Ali $6.1million. The signing finally took place.
Inoki appeared on this signing in a traditional Japanese costume.
The Present to Ali from Inoki
Ali arrived to Japan on June 16th, which was 10days before the match. Everywhere he went, he received a VIP treatment.
The first meeting between Inoki and Ali in Japan took place during a lunch party on June 18th. Ali, as usual, had provocation on Inoki with his big mouth. In response, Inoki presented a crutch to Ali.
A Phantom Match for Prize
On June 23rd, just three days before the match, a dinner party including the actual signing and an open sparring was held at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo.
Until then, Inoki kept accepting the requests from Ali's side, who kept saying, "if you don't accept our rules, we'll cancel the match." However, Inoki suggested in the party that the winner will take all prize and money they made for the event. Ali also signed the agreement
After all, Ali's guys threatened the cancellation, and the plan for the prize match was cancelled.
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