The boxing biopic Big George Foreman depicts the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” match between Foreman and fellow icon Muhammad Ali — and many wonder if George Foreman beat Ali in real life. The 2023 film covers Foreman’s (Khris Davis) entire life story, from his impoverished childhood to the near-death experience that inspired him to hang up the boxing gloves to the impending bankruptcy that forced him to get back in the ring and become the oldest-ever heavyweight champion.

The “Rumble in the Jungle” scene in Big George Foreman portrays Ali (Sullivan Jones) as the confident young athlete talking trash in Foreman’s ear during each round. While this angle captures the George Foreman vs Ali dynamic at that time — Foreman as the defending champion and Ali as the new blood rising through the ranks to steal his glory — it doesn’t present Ali in a flattering light. Foreman was expected...