Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier are two of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history, and their rivalry is one of the most iconic in sports. They fought three times between 1971 and 1975, and each bout was incredibly intense and competitive. Their rivalry went beyond the ring, with both men trading insults and jabs in the press, and it captivated the world.
The first fight between Ali and Frazier took place on March 8, 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was dubbed the "Fight of the Century," as it was the first time that two undefeated heavyweight champions had faced off against each other. Ali had been stripped of his title and banned from boxing for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War, but he had regained his license and won two fights before facing Frazier. Frazier, meanwhile, had won the heavyweight title by defeating Jimmy Ellis in 1970.
The fight itself was incredibly close and competitive, with both fighters exchanging blows for 15 rounds. Ali, who was known for his quick feet and hands, tried to outbox Frazier and land jabs from a distance. Frazier, on the other hand, was a relentless fighter who constantly pressed forward and landed powerful hooks and body shots. In the end, Frazier won a unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the fight 9-6 and one scoring it 11-4.
The second fight between Ali and Frazier took place on January 28, 1974, in New York City. Ali had won several fights since his loss to Frazier, including a victory over heavyweight champion George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974. Frazier, meanwhile, had lost his title to Foreman in 1973, but had won two fights since then.
The second fight between Ali and Frazier was another grueling battle, with both fighters exchanging heavy blows for 12 rounds. Ali used his quickness and footwork to avoid Frazier's punches, but Frazier still managed to land several powerful shots. In the end, Ali won a unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the fight 6-5 and one scoring it 7-4.
The third and final fight between Ali and Frazier took place on October 1, 1975, in Quezon City, Philippines. It was dubbed the "Thrilla in Manila," and it was the most brutal and intense of their three fights. Ali had continued to fight top contenders, while Frazier had lost several fights and was past his prime.
The fight started out evenly, with both fighters landing heavy blows. However, as the fight wore on, Ali began to take control, using his quickness and footwork to tire out Frazier. Frazier's eyes began to swell shut, and his trainer Eddie Futch decided to stop the fight before the start of the 15th round, giving Ali the victory.
The rivalry between Ali and Frazier was one of the greatest in sports history, and it captivated the world. Both men were incredibly talented fighters, and their battles in the ring were some of the most intense and competitive ever seen. They also had a personal animosity that added an extra layer of drama to their fights. The legacy of Ali and Frazier's rivalry lives on, and it continues to inspire boxers and fans alike to this day.