
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In June 1976, Muhammad Ali was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Ali travelled to Tokyo, Japan to face his next opponent, the professional wrestler Antonio Inoki.
In a first of its kind, the exhibition fight called “The War of the Worlds” was met with controversy because of the rules applied.
Ringside Photographer Claude Charlier tells Sean Allsop how the fight unfolded in a packed Budokan Hall and how many now consider this fight the origin of MMA Mixed Martial Arts.
(Photo: Muhammad Ali stands over Antonio Inoki, 1976. Credit: Claude Charlier)
By BBC World Service4.7
1818 ratings
In June 1976, Muhammad Ali was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Ali travelled to Tokyo, Japan to face his next opponent, the professional wrestler Antonio Inoki.
In a first of its kind, the exhibition fight called “The War of the Worlds” was met with controversy because of the rules applied.
Ringside Photographer Claude Charlier tells Sean Allsop how the fight unfolded in a packed Budokan Hall and how many now consider this fight the origin of MMA Mixed Martial Arts.
(Photo: Muhammad Ali stands over Antonio Inoki, 1976. Credit: Claude Charlier)

7,771 Listeners

376 Listeners

890 Listeners

1,068 Listeners

5,475 Listeners

1,825 Listeners

968 Listeners

590 Listeners

1,807 Listeners

1,043 Listeners

2,104 Listeners

2,070 Listeners

481 Listeners

595 Listeners

109 Listeners

46 Listeners

725 Listeners

739 Listeners

849 Listeners

3,225 Listeners

755 Listeners

1,606 Listeners

263 Listeners

27 Listeners