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 at best opponents. His first real test was in January of 1976 against Ron Lyle in Las Vegas, a real war in which George got off the canvas,and won on a 5th round knockout.
Joe Frazier suffered defeat to Ali as well in January of 1974, a 12 round decision loss. He scored two comeback wins over Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Ellis to set up the rematch with Foreman.
It took place on June 15, 1976 in Uniondale, New York, and it saw Frazier shave his head bald and weight in at a career high weight of 224 1/2 lbs. Joe boxed a little more effectively than in their first fight, but eventually ‘Big’ George caught him and knocked him down 6 times until stopping him in the 5th. Foreman’s career was very much alive, while it ended Frazier’s at age 32 He would try one last comeback fight 5 years later, but it was just a footnote on a great career.
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