", The Incident That Inspired The Bruce Lee Scene In Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. The two became friends and frequently discussed the martial arts, and Rhee wound up teaching a few taekwondo kicks to Bruce Lee. One has to wonder if this will come up when the new Bruce Lee documentary airs on ESPN on June 7. Hed kill me. Bruce Lee, the GOAT of martial arts, has no ties to Florida. "Bruce Lee would have never said anything derogatory about Muhammad Ali because he worshiped the ground Muhammad Ali walked on. Thats a little Chinese hand. However, much of the setup is accurate. Bruce set up a wide full-length. The film depicts Lee (played by Mike Moh) swaggering around the set of Green Hornet, denigrating boxer Muhammad Ali and picking a street fight with the evenly matched stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). The influence Ali had on him is undeniable. Did Bruce Lee stand a chance against Cassius Clay? Bruce set up a wide full-length mirror to reflect Ali's image from the screen. And how about Lee against modern UFC stars? Bruce Lee's exact age would be 81 years 5 months 15 days old if alive. I had thought about Lee grappling because pound-for-pound his strength was astonishing. Whatever the outcome, the Battle of Icons wouldve been one hell of an event. "What Bruce Lee is talking about in the whole thing is that he admires warriors. Aside from all those heroics, one of the more memorable scenes from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" features Pitt's character, stuntman Cliff Booth, recalling an altercation he had with Bruce Lee(Mike Moh) on the set of"The Green Hornet"that got him fired. Ali was later hospitalized with blood clots. "Look at my hand," he said. It is a whip rather than a club. The documentary Bruce Lee30 for 30, Be Water airs on ESPN tonight (June 7) at 9.00 p.m. Well, the problem with (them) is that they are the John L. Sullivans of the feet. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Muhammad Ali, without a doubt, falls into that "iconic" category, so there have been tons of stories about him circulating since his death on Friday. If Bruce Lee truly believed that Ali could defeat him, that would be reason enough for Lee to take inspiration from him. He admires combat, and boxing is a closer approximation of combat as a sport. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. For Lee to reference Ali in these unique writings speaks volumes about his appreciation of the eventual three-time heavyweight champion. On the other hand, Bruce Lee was a martial artist, a discipline known for its intricate techniques and strategies. Bruce's right hand followed Ali's right hand, Ali's left foot followed Bruce's left foot. Yes i know Bruce admired Ali! Have you seen kickboxing? Here's how the fighting style of martial arts legend Bruce Lee was influenced by the moves of heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali. 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He likely has more accurate strikes, and is significantly more durable. Nicholas' love for telling stories is inspired by his love for film noir, westerns, superhero movies, classic films, and ancient history. ', Pam Grier Thought Samuel L. Jackson's Fast 'Jackie Brown' Dialogue Would Make Her Fall Down the Stairs, Oscars 2023: Best Costume Design Predictions. So just what is real in "Hollywood"? Critics, including Inosanto, took umbrage with the scenes depiction of a stuntman holding his own against the Enter the Dragon actor, at one point catching Lees kick and throwing him into a car. Published Oct 3, 2021 Bruce Lee, who always had great confidence in his kung fu skills, admitted there was one fighter he knew he couldn't beat - Muhammad Ali. 'That's a little Chinese hand. Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. Could Cliff beat up Bruce Lee? That said, the only way Bruce Lee could theoretically beat him is if he embraced more grappling techniques and avoided trading blows. But in a devastating twist of fate, the Hong Kong actor didn't live to see his big breakout moment. To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders, Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications, .css-n1h13z{color:black;color:#fff;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-n1h13z{color:#fff;}}Published15:16,09 January 2020 GMT.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}}| Last updated23:14,09 January 2020 GMT. 'Look at my hand,' he said. Western boxing was a part of Lees game but he was no world champion and the weight differential makes such a matchup ludicrous to the point of being insulting. He has killed many men in WWII in hand-to-hand combat. "Bruce Lee was mainly Wing Chun, combined with Muhammad Ali-style boxing," Chan said. Could Cliff beat up Bruce Lee? "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" is writer/director Quentin Tarantino's love letter to 1960s Hollywood, revolving around fictional fading star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his faithful stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Related: How Bruce Lee's One-Inch Punch Really Works. 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. The great boxer Muhammad Ali was still using his given name, Cassius Clay when, in 1961 at the age of 19 years old, he posed for some unusual photographs in a Miami swimming pool. The Inoki fight only worked because the dude was still of similar build to Ali. (Muhammad) Alis theory is to picture hitting a fly with a swatter.. There's been a lot of discussion about that character's portrayal in the film, and at a recent press conference in Moscow, Tarantino himself weighed in on the Bruce Lee controversy but he may have just dug himself a slightly deeper hole. If I say Cliff can beat Bruce Lee up, hes a fictional character so he could beat Bruce Lee up. If were talking about potential, then there is no doubt that Lee could have been a magnificent professional fighter. "Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee are the most recognizable faces in the world," Inosanto says. On July 20, 1973, the great martial-arts movie star Bruce Lee mysteriously died in Hong Kong. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Lines have already been drawn in the sand, and assuming you've seen the film and have thought about that moment after you left the theater, you've probably already crystallized your feelings on it. But throughout his life, Tyson had admired Ali and always showed respect toward. Brad would not be able to beat up Bruce Lee, but Cliff maybe could, Tarantino said. If I say Cliff can beat Bruce Lee up, hes a fictional character so he could beat Bruce Lee up. 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Not only did he say that but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. Muhammad Ali, in a fight: "My hands are registered as lethal weapons." Tyson made his professional boxing debut in 1985, while Ali fought his last professional fight in 1981. "It was all in the way he moved - the way he moved made him famous. "I was very lucky to . "Not only did he say that, but his wife, Linda Lee, said that in her first biography I ever read. Legendary Boxer Muhammad Ali Has Died at Age 74. Even so, Mass Appeal points out that in his 1989 bookThe Making of Enter the Dragon, directorRobert Clouse revealed that mere sight of The Greatest made Lees blood run cold: Another time Yeung, aka (Bolo) went to see Bruce at Golden Harvest Studios. But what Lee lacked in brute force, he made up for in otherworldly speed and skill. He has killed many men in WWII in hand to hand combat. Many people have said throughout the years that Bruce Lee had a lot of respect for Muhammad Ali. Lee was a smaller man, as he was about 5-foot 7-inches tall and about 140-pounds. I heard him say things like that, to that effect. As a martial artist, Lee is the closest thing to perfection that Ive ever seen and I doubt that will change in my lifetime. Brad [Pitt] would not be able to beat up Bruce Lee, but Cliff maybe could, said Tarantino. Ken Norton, a former Marine, had broken his jaw and outpointed him in March 1973. He knew Lewis personally and says Lewis told him one of the hardest kicks he'd ever endured was from Bruce Lee. Ali's the greatest there's ever been." Tyson was the youngest heavyweight champion of all-time at 20 years old. The tale unfolds during the turbulent summer of 1969, when Tate's horrifying murder dominated headlines. The lead jab is a feeler, wrote Lee in a chapter of the book entitled Tools. It is the basis of all other blows, a loose, easy stinger. Given the apparent differences between the Bruce Lee vs. Cliff Booth fight scene in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" and how Lee had a much more positive real-life relationship with Gene LeBell, it's not surprising that Lee's friends and family were very critical of how Quentin Tarantino wrote his character. Ali, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, called it time on his professional boxing career after defeats to Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. Maybe he was cocky in as far as martial arts because he was very sure of himself. When it came to kung fu, Lee taught against sticking to traditional stances and forms and wholeheartedly believed that martial artists should be willing to adapt and learn from other sources. The two are neck and neck in the third round when the fight is broken up. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. He has killed many men in World War II in hand to hand combat. And there you have it. With that in mind, Lee started training with LeBell as both men developed a friendship that would last until Lee's death in 1973. Is what he admires are warriors. Photo by AP. "That doesn't give him a free pass for how he's portrayed in movies." They share an almost mystical fan affection because of their unique skills, which are sometimes overlooked because of their impact on worldwide culture. In his long career, Ali defended his title from an impressive number of 21 experienced challengers, many of which being some of the best fighters in the sport at the time. . Bruce said, 'I'm studying every move he makes. -- One of the greatest . Finding oneself is . Ali's career ended cus he was suffering from Parkinson's. A featherweight vs heavyweight fight is murder. Bruce Lee was a man who could flow like water, scream like an animal, and spin some nunchucks like nobody's business. But if Cliff and Bruce were fighting in the jungles of the Philippines in a hand-to-hand combat fight, Cliff would kill him.. Lee's daughter, Shannon, objected to her father's portrayal. In 1972, Lee appeared on the Dick Cavett Show alongside Ali and gave glowing praise of his martial arts ability. Instead of simply doing as he was instructed, LeBell grabbed Lee and placed him on his shoulders, running around the set as the Kato actor supposedly asked the judo expert to "put me down or I'll kill you!" Cliff is not part of the sport that is like combat, he is a warrior. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. Who would have thought that in a film which ostensibly involved the Manson murders, one of the biggest talking points weeks later would center on Bruce Lee? Kirik Jenness Apr 28, 2022 The four friends did dine at the Hollywood landmark El Coyote on the night of the murders before going back to Tate's home. But despite how things came off in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the man born Lee Jun-fan didn't think he stood a chance against the man formerly known as Cassius Clay. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Thats a little Chinese hand. In his later fights, Ali weighed in at about 230-pounds. Bruce Lee did say that, he meant in a boxing match. "Bruce Lee was kind of an arrogant guy," Tarantino said at a recent press junket in Moscow. The story is based on the 1987 book The Making of Enter the Dragon. He is accepted by many as the greatest martial artist of all time, though mainly for his influence in bringing awareness to the style of martial arts through his dramatized movies and acting career. If you ask me the question, 'Who would win in a fight: Bruce Lee or Dracula?' Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is in theaters now. He achieved tremendous success in the sport, becoming the first and only three-time lineal heavyweight champion. "Even the most scathing critics admitted that Bruce's gungfu was sensational. Filmmakers were able to re-create "pretty much building-for-building what Spahn Ranch used to look like," says Schuler. Bruce Lee was a martial arts legend known for his kung fu skills, but even he felt that there were a few things he could learn from the world-famous heavyweight boxing champion. YOU GET TO CHOOSE your own prize! It might be interesting to team that classic, if obscure, character with someone like Throg, Darkwing Duck, Batman, or (my choice because of its residence in Left Field) Etrigan. Why? . The fightingskillofBruce Leeis iconic in its own right, but it was actually inspired by Muhammad Ali. Besides, Ronda Rouseytold Maximlast year that Ali would absolutely crush Lee in a street fight. Bruce Lee first introduced nunchucks in the films in Fist of Fury and again in The Way of the Dragon before Inosanto was cast in Lee's unfinished film Game of Death, where the pair go at each . COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is now playing in theaters. But this doesnt mean the name "Bruce Lee" needs the name "Muhammad Ali" to be great. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. Profile. He was worlds ahead of everyone else. "'Everybody says I must fight Ali someday.' After midnight, four members of the Manson family Tex Watson, Linda Kasabian, Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel parked at the dark bottom of the street (Tarantino filmed some street scenes on Cielo Drive) and walked up the hill. He is a combat person., Tarantino concluded, If Cliff were fighting Bruce Lee in a martial arts tournament in Madison Square Garden, Bruce would kill him. Chris said of Will: "He played Muhammad Ali! . The Rowdy One has spoken, but we still have a feeling that this debate will rage on for years to come. Back in 1966, however, LeBell was also working as a stuntman, and when he walked onto the set of "The Green Hornet,"Dobbins asked him to apply a headlock on Lee. ', "Bruce knew he could never win a fight against Ali. "Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce saw him as the greatest fighter of them all. But if Cliff and Bruce were fighting in the jungles of the Philippines in a hand-to-hand combat fight Cliff would kill him.. Schuler says the classic Hollywood eatery (Tarantino is a frequent diner) shut down for the first time for five days to allow Pitt, DiCaprio and Al Pacino (as agent Marvin Schwarzs) to shoot in the middle of tourist season last July. All rights reserved. The KO technique Muhammad Ali learned from a taekwondo master, who learned it from Bruce Lee Muhammad Ali's head coach for the bout in which he earned his last KO was The Father of American Taekwondo, Jhoon Rhee, who taught him a punch he learned from Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee 's widow, Linda Lee Cadwell has also taken issue with Quentin Tarantino 's portrayal of her late husband in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. "Muhammad Ali Unfiltered: Rare, Iconic, and Officially Authorized Photos of the Greatest", p.118, Simon and Schuster 180 Copy quote Bruce Lee can be seen employing a similar approach to his own footwork in his martial arts movies. Muhammad Ali is the GOAT of boxing. The up-and-coming martial arts star Lee did befriend Tate and trained the actress for 1968's "The Wrecking Crew," according to Polly. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. She absolutely said that, the director continued. In a straight boxing match, Lee, a 5-foot-7 lightweight, or junior welterweight at best, would have no chance. Muhammad Ali, who has long been called "The Greatest of All Time," was at the center of national attention during his days as a professional fighter. His conclusion? The Best Picture Race Got a Lot More Confusing This Week, Tom Cruise Made the Rounds This Week, but Other Oscar Nominees Got More Applause Than Top Gun: Maverick, These Oscar Categories Are the Hardest to Predict, Translating the Unconscious Into Images: The Cinematography of Bardo, Poker Face Takes Viewers on a Cross-Country Road Trip Without Leaving New York, Why TR Looks Different from Every Other Movie of 2022, The 50 Best Movies of 2022, According to 165 Critics from Around the World, All 81 Titles Unceremoniously Removed from HBO Max (So Far), 10 Shows Canceled but Not Forgotten in 2022. One Winner will receive $500 in FREE authentic, licensed, Rock Music Merchandise from RockMerch. Bruce was fighting in Alis shoes. Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. In his 1987 book, The Making of Enter the Dragon, Clouse says that Lee was once screening an Ali documentary at Golden Harvest Studios in Hong Kong and revealed what he thought would happen if the two ever fought. You will be redirected back to your article in, Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. JKD54. With his crazy kicks and lightning-fast speed, the man went from TV sidekick to blockbuster star in just a few years. Muhammad Ali, who has long been called The Greatest of All Time, was at the center of national attention during his days as a professional fighter. He is a combat person., Tarantino summed up the fight by adding, If Cliff were fighting Bruce Lee in a martial arts tournament in Madison Square Garden, Bruce would kill him. Bruce was looking into the mirror, moving along with Ali.Bruces right hand followed Alis right hand, Alis left foot followed Bruces left foot. At that time, there were many people who debated about what would happen if Ali crossed paths with Lee. "That was a must-have and we showed quintessential Hollywood locations that have survived. One of the two doesnt need the other to be great. 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood': Everything you should know about Sharon Tate, Box-office winner: 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood' is Tarantino's biggest debut ever. Everybody says I must fight Ali some day, Bruce said, Im studying every move he makes. In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. During the chat, Lee can be heard referencing boxers for the first and, as far as this reporter is aware, only time in terms of available audio. It is a question that countless drunks have argued at a bar: who would win in a fight,Bruce Lee or the MuhammadAli? Here's why, By Bruce Lee 's own admission, Muhammad Ali is one fighter that he thought he could never beat in a fight. His name is Matthew Polly, and he's cool, and we spoke to him in June. Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. "From my point of view, the 20th century gave us just two icons who rose above time, space and race: There was Muhammad Ali, and there was Bruce Lee," says documentary filmmaker Pete McCormack . But fans have long asked what would have happened if the martial arts legend, real name Lee Jun-fan, fought Ali in a blockbuster dream clash. 'Mandalorian' star Pedro Pascal, creators on new Grogu revelations and 'Last of Us' comparisons, Saved by the bell: Contestant ordered to keep mask on, in historic 'Masked Singer' first, Chris Pine admits 'it does look' like Harry Styles spit on him but this is what actually happened, Rebel Wilson 'collapsed' after Ramona Agruma proposal: 'I was so overwhelmed', Amy Grant recalls being 'so scared' to return to touring following serious bike accident. Indiewire Alerts and Newsletters Delivered Directly to your Inbox name is Matthew Polly, and &... That Inspired the Bruce Lee up, hes a fictional character so he could beat Bruce Lee are the recognizable. Ali was world heavyweight champion at the time and Bruce Lee was influenced by moves. Pass for how he 's portrayed in movies. maybe could, Tarantino said to the. On June 7 Lee & # x27 ; s father Lee Hoi-chuen was a Cantonese! Now playing in theaters now like combat, he is a closer of! 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Inosanto says significantly more durable Lee grappling because pound-for-pound his strength was astonishing first biography I ever.... Appreciation of the eventual three-time heavyweight champion because of their impact on worldwide culture Alis theory to. Bruce 's gungfu was sensational building-for-building what Spahn Ranch used to Look,... ) Alis theory is to picture hitting a fly with a swatter was! Did he say that but his wife, Linda Lee, the only Bruce. ', `` Bruce knew he could never win a fight: Bruce Lee, but his wife, Lee... For how he 's portrayed in movies. California for an international opera tour was about 5-foot 7-inches tall about! Had a lot of respect for Muhammad Ali s image from the screen an international opera.. And the Flying V logos are trademarks of variety Media, LLC in otherworldly speed and skill only! The GOAT of martial arts, and is significantly more durable ; he Muhammad... 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