Professional Boxing/Wrestling Exhibition
  Early Mixed Martial Arts
  Weigh-In

  Responding to the Greatest's challenge to "fight anybody," Antonio Inoki, the wrestler and mixed martial artist from Japan, called upon the champion to meet him in Tokyo.  The match between the Japanese wrestler and the American heavyweight boxer required extensive negotiation, first to even intice Ali to appear, then to fashion a set of rules of engagement, matching the skills and techniques of each discipline and fighter.  When the actual bout was held, these rules so restricted the two fighters that it was called by some the "most boring fight ever," with Inoki using side leg kicks to hinder Ali, while the boxer tried to dodge the unusual attacks and spent much of the time sliding against the ropes.  Many believe that the damage from this match would continue to slow Ali's trademark footwork for the rest of his career.
  YouTube link: (Japanese commentary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTZY9cQsOSM
  Pre-fight Weigh-In Ticket; actual bout on June 23.