Years Ago: Ali – Frazier III, The Thrilla In Manilla

But Smokin’ Joe was unyielding with an intense focus in his quest to beat Ali in Manila.

It was the third meeting between or Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

“Ali (6’3″) had a significant height advantage over his rival from Philadelphia (Frazier was just over 5’11”) but the duo had already had two bruising encounters at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

This contest in particular in the Philippine capital garnered its name from the rhyming boast Ali used in the buildup to the bout, announcing to the world that the fight would be a “killa and a thrilla and a chilla, when I get that gorilla in Manila”.

According to ESPN Stats & Information tracking, Ali landed 50 punches in the last two rounds before Frazier’s trainer stopped the fight entering what would have been the final round.

That said, it would be all too easy to disparage those who subsequently step into the ring to bid for one or more of the same, increasingly splintered and tarnished titles once worn by the likes of Ali and Frazier with such aplomb.

If Ali had mistaken the power still left in Frazier’s fists, he was reminded time and time again through the aggressive opening exchanges as Frazier swung heavy shots to the body, causing Ali to hiss as they met at the start of the seventh: “They told me Joe Frazier was washed up”.

Frazier dominated the middle rounds, before Ali’s combinations slowed him down from the tenth. Frazier was exhausted and Ali continued to attack.

In total, Ali outlanded Frazier 264-250.

So sit back and enjoy the fight that is still being discussed 40 years later…

After suffering his first loss, Ali won 10 straight fights before losing to Ken Norton on March 31, 1973. His lone loss came against 24-year old Leon Spinks, in a 15-round split decision. He retired in 1979. Ali, then 38, was at a physical and age disadvantage against Holmes, and it showed early. By Round 9, it was clear Ali could not defend himself, but the fight continued. Among his entourage, Frazier’s son Marvis backed Futch’s decision.

In retrospect, the significance of the second fight is that it marked the end of Ali’s reign of dominance.

October 1 1975 – the world witnesses one of the most ferocious boxing matches of all time, as Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier in the fight billed: The Thrilla in Manilla. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984.