Thirty-five years ago today, arguably one of the greatest boxing events took place in Africa.

“The Rumble in the Jungle” featured a heavyweight champion in his prime in George Foreman going against one of the greatest boxers in all time in Muhammad Ali.

We aren’t talking about the George Foreman that we have learned to love today. There was nothing likable and friendly about Foreman as a boxer in his early years.

Battling in Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo), the fight was held in Africa after dictator Mobutu Sese Seko put up the $10 million purse. Seko felt the fight was a gift for the residents in Zaire as a way to honor the black man. It was one of Don King’s first major fights as well, with Seko saving the promoter after he promised each fighter $5 million and came up short.

And despite Ali’s legendary history, he was the heavy underdog going into the fight against Foreman based on George’s success against Joe Frazier and Ken Norton – - both who he knocked out in the second round.

But Ali was Ali for a reason. He had a plan to slow down Foreman in “The Rope-A-Dope.”

By laying up on the ropes and absorbing body shots, Ali was able to tire out Foreman, leading to an eighth round knockout.

The fight led to several great film projects as a result, including the Academy Award winning documentary “When We Were Kings” and “Soul Power,” which profiles the Zaire 74 music festival that accompanied the fight.

In honor of the 35th anniversary, Muhammad Ali Enterprises created three animated shorts celebrating “The Rumble in the Jungle.” Ali.com also has all eight rounds from the 1974 match that you can view on their website.