The third and final fight of the trilogy between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier took place on October 1, 1975 in Manila, the Philippines. This time the fight took place with Ali as the champ after his upset of George Foreman a year earlier. In the pre-fight talk, Ali was mean and vicious, referring to […]
The ‘Thrilla in Manila’ Read More »
After his colossal upset of George Foreman in October of 1974, Ali was on top of the sports world. In January he turned 33 and was looking for an easy first defense of his newly won championship. His promoter Don King found the easy mark in Chuck ‘The Bayonne Bleeder’ Wepner. The bout was set
The Real Life Rocky Read More »
Joe Frazier retired after his second knockout loss to George Foreman in June of 1976, and instead pursued his singing career. But eventually as most boxers do, the thrill of the ring brings them back, and the limelight that accompanies it. Seeing Ali’s return in 1980 and 1981 further motivated Joe, and he signed to
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After their first fight in January of 1973, the careers of both fighters took different paths. Foreman defended the belt he took from Frazier twice before losing it to Muhammad Ali in October of 1974. He only fought once in 1975, a much criticized exhibition in Toronto, Canada in which he knocked out 5 limited
Foreman vs. Frazier II Read More »
After his loss to Muhammad Ali in their second bout in September of 1973, his career didn’t miss a beat. George Foreman had become the heavyweight champion in January of 1973 by destroying Joe Frazier. His one title defense over Joe ‘King’ Roman was in September of that same year, an easy one round knockout
Foreman vs. Norton Read More »
By the time both fighters met again 3 years after their September 1973 bout, much had changed. Ali had recaptured the title with his famous upset win of George Foreman in October of 1974, and had kept it for nearly two years. He had defeated a string of challengers. and beaten Joe Frazier in the
Following the major upset on March 31st in San Diego, most of the press focused on the fact that Ali had suffered a broken jaw in the bout. The ex champ also admitted that he had undertrained for Norton, and fought severely handicapped, saying his jaw was broken in the second round. Whatever the excuses
Muhammad Ali had been on a mission for a shot at the heavyweight title after his loss to Joe Frazier on March 8, 1971. He had fought numerous times in 1971 and 1972, and when George Foreman knocked out Frazier in January of 1973, Ali’s target had changed. The ex champ admittedly took Norton lightly,
The two most famous personalities of the 20th century met for the first time in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 13, 1973. Elvis was at the Hilton performing his show, and Muhammad Ali was in town to fight Joe Bugner. Both were fans of each other, and met in Elvis’ suite the night before Ali’s
After his huge win over Gerry Cooney in June of 1982, Larry Holmes basked in the new found respect he had finally earned. His next title defense was set for November 26th in the Houston Astrodome against Randall ‘Tex’Cobb. Cobb was a former college football player who had lost to Ken Norton and Michael Dokes
Cosell’s Last Call Read More »
