After their first meeting on March 8. 1971, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought for a second time three years later on January 28, 1974 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Ali won a unanimous decision, and nine months later shocked the world with his 8th round knockout of George Foreman to regain the heavyweight championship for the second time.
By October of 1975, both men had been through the wars and showed signs of slowing down. Don King signed both fighters to meet on October 1, 1975 in Quezon City, the Philippines, in a bout Ali would name “The Thrilla in Manilla”. Ali was also mean and belittling in the pre-fight buildup, carrying a toy gorilla and making fun of Joe’s appearance. Frazier seethed but never said a word, and by the time the opening bell rang, he was ready to show Ali he had a lot of smoke left in him.
The bout itself is difficult to watch because of the brutality and pace both men fought at into the fourteenth round. To compound problems was the unbearable heat in a building packed with thousands, and with little or no air conditioning. Ali and Frazier exchanged vicious blows repeatedly and often, and by the 10th round, Ali said “It was the closest thing to death I ever felt.”
Unfortunately for Joe, by the end of the 14th round, his cornermen stopped the bout because he could no longer see. Despite losing, he proved his greatness and courage in what may be the most brutal fight in heavyweight boxing history.
Both fighters left a big part of themselves in the ring that night, and would never be the same. Joe would only fight twice more, while Muhammad stayed boxing way too long, until finally retiring in December of 1981.
Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier will forever be linked together in the annals of boxing history, and on October 1, 1975, left every ounce of courage they had in the ring.
FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ON SPOTIFY AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
