Rematch, an award-winning start-up company, has raised £2 million for a new immersive experience called ‘Rumble in the Jungle Rematch’, described as an “ultimate sporting time machine”.
Launched in 2019 with Wimbledon Rematch1980, Rematch recreates sporting moments as immersive theatre experiences. For its upcoming attraction, the start-up has partnered with Muhammad Ali Enterprises.
Opening in London’s Dock X on 13 September, Rumble in the Jungle Rematch brings to life the iconic 1974 fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire.
“Sport has the power to inspire and unite people from all over the world and from different cultural backgrounds,” said Richard Ayers, founder of Rematch.
“Rumble in the Jungle and Muhammad Ali transcend national and cultural boundaries, which is why, following the success of Wimbledon Rematch1980, we are thrilled to be reimagining one of the greatest moments in sporting history.
“From Ali’s trash-talking to his pre match speech to the music and mood of Zaire in 1974, backed by an incredible expert team, who are excited to bring this story to life in a unique immersive experience.”
The Rematch attraction will also reimagine the Zaire 74 music festival that accompanied the fight, which featured performers such as James Brown, Bill Withers and B.B. King.
Bringing to life the 1974 Muhammad Ali fight
According to a news release, Rematch offers “a hybrid of festival, immersive theatre, and audiovisual experience, alongside immaculate and precisely programmed food, music and fashion elements that further tell the story of the eras in which these iconic events took place”.
“Muhammad Ali is my lifelong hero, and I was even lucky enough to have met him and worked with him on several occasions,” said Trevor Beattie, advertising executive and Rematch investor.
Beattie said he has an “extensive collection of Muhammad Ali memorabilia, which we plan to incorporate into Rumble in the Jungle Rematch, to help magically transport us all back in time to this remarkable historical event”.
Rematch has recently welcomed Secret Cinema’s Miguel H Torres as its creative director, Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu as a writer, and Femi Temowo as its music director.
