THE MAGIC NUMBER
Oct 07, 2021
4 minutes
MUHAMMAD ALI vs JOE FRAZIER (1971-1975)
SURELY the greatest sporting rivalry of them all. Two great heavyweights, two very different characters. Ali was brash and quick-witted, Frazier quiet and proud. They were very different in the ring as well.
“The trouble with you, Joe, is that you can’t dance,” Ali told Frazier before their third fight, ‘The Thrilla In Manila,’ in 1975.
“But I can fight, though,” Frazier replied. And boy could he fight.
Their first meeting, at Madison Square Garden in March 1971, was the biggest event in boxing history, screened in 35 foreign countries, and had parallels with the first fight between Deontay
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days