1.
GV PAN Crowds at stadium
0.08

2.
MV & CU Ali, wife and child seated next to Manley (2 shots)
0.14

3.
CU Crowd
0.18

4.
SCU Manley speaking
0.34

5.
MV Ali waving and talking to child on lap
0.50

6.
GV PAN Crowd
0.53

7.
CU Ali speaking and crowd applauds
1.09



Initials BB/2000 EW/DW/BB/2010


SPORT - BOXING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammed Ali addressed a mass rally of Jamaican Moslems in Kingston National Stadium on Sunday (29 December). The champion, accompanied by his wife and one of his daughters, was guest of honour at the rally where the Jamaican Prime Minister michael Manley also spoke.

Ali was in Jamaica for a three-day visit, during which he discussed with his promoter and local sports officials the possibility of staging a return bout against former champion George Foreman some time towards the end of 1975. The 32-year-old champion deposed Foreman in eight rounds in their October title fight in Zaire.

Ali had said that the Zaire "fight of the century" would be his last, but the Victory led to a change of heart. If the Ali-Foreman fight in Kingston comes off, it will be the second major boxing event staged in Jamaica. In January, 1973, Foreman took the World Heavyweight Championship by flooring Joe Fraizer in two rounds at the national Stadium.

A spokesman in Kingston said Ali's first reactions were favourable, but the champion wanted to discuss the matter with his manager. Ali is due to fight high-ranking U.S. boxer Ron Lyle in the United States in March, 1975.

SYNOPSIS: Addressing the crowd, Mr. Manley said how pleased all Jamaicans were at the champion's visit. Later in the proceedings Ali was presented with the symboli keys of the city, as a token of Jamaica's respect and affection.

The thirty-two year-old-champion was in Jamaica for a three-day visit, during which he discussed proposals to stage a title defence against George Foreman on the island. Ali defeated Foreman in their eight-round Zaire fight last October regain the title.

Apart form his fame as a boxer, Ali is well known for his work among Black Moslems. In March 1975, he is due for his first title defence against high-ranking heavyweight Ron Lyle in the United States.