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Howard L Bingham’s coverage of the fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire captured almost 34 years ago, is currently on exhibit at the M&B Gallery in Los Angeles.

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The over 60 images Black & White and color tell the story of this this unique event, and I would have said it locks in a time period in history, but the players in this show are timeless.

From the worlds greatest, Muhammad Ali, to George Foreman, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the time, to the inimitable Don King, promoter extraodinaire, Mr. Bingham’s access and photojournalistic skills bring you closer to that moment, in the most intimate ways.

The training, the boasts, the crowds are all here. As Ali ventured out into massive crowds, reclaiming his celebrity title of years before, Foreman, the undefeated power hitter, stayed out of the spotlight a bit more, while the bodacious Don King was grabbing every media op he could, as the fight prepared for a close circuit viewing in the US. As the subject of the film
“When We Were Kings” , the Rumble In The Jungle is laid out before you in it’s full, legendary, storied, historic greatness. A classic event not only in sports, but in the world.

These photographs tell the story, from both sides. The unfettered access to the champ began when he first met him as Cassius Clay. Shortly after the meeting he became his personal photo biographer, catching Ali with every celebrity and world leader along the way. He’s described himself as the Forrest Gump of photography, having been in the right place to record history for over 45 years.

The Rochester Institute of Technology offers a scholarship in Mr. Binghams name to a deserving minority photography student.

Check out the show in person or online, but click this link, or this one to learn more about Howard L. Bingham.

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You’ll be glad you did. He is one of the treasures of photography and our culture.