Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali
One of the Most anticipated bouts in Boxing History

Many historians will tell you the second bout between Max Schmeling and Joe Louis was the most anticipated fight in the sports history, and they may be correct. Economic instability had plunged the United States into the great depression and many Americans sought inspiration from the world of Sports. And with both Countries on the verge of war the propaganda had inevitably spilled over into the ring.

When Muhammad Ali challenged Undisputed Champion Joe Frazier there was anticipation of a different kind. In 1967 Muhammad Ali was stripped of his titles and refused a licence to box for his refusal to enrol into the US army. Ali refused due to his religious beliefs and the organizations robbed the World of a true great while in his prime. By 1970 the public’s opinion on the Vietnam War had changed.

In Ali’s absence Smokin’ Joe Frazier had unified all titles and was the undisputed champion of the heavyweight division. While in exile Muhammad held many speeches across America at University Campuses, “who’s the champ” shouted Ali during many of his speeches, you are the crowd replied.

Joe Frazier knew many believed Ali to be the legitimate champion, so the Philadelphia native started a campaign on Ali’s behalf in pursuit of Ali having his Licence to box reinstated. The campaign was successful and Ali was granted his licence to box. After two tune-up fights the two were due to meet at Madison Square Garden, New York, March, 8, 1971.

Ali was infamous for taunting his opponent in the weeks leading up to a fight, but this time he was unusually cruel to the man who had done so much to help him back into the ring. In my own opinion Ali viewed Frazier as a real danger and knew his typical buffoonery was not enough to get inside the head of the tough Frazier. Ali adopted a different strategy and launched a personal verbal assault on Frazier. Ali was articulate and knew Smokin’ Joe was never going to win a war of words.

The Fight
The boxing world was split as to whom they thought had the edge, many felt the speed and superior movement of Ali would have been too much for Frazier. Others viewed the long absence of Ali mixed with Frazier’s Brand of hellfire as being too much for Ali.

The first three rounds Muhammad Ali 31-0, (25) looked dominant as he repeatedly landed with rapid fire jabs catching the champion on the way in, causing swelling of Frazier’s face. Whenever Frazier 26-0, (23) landed a meaningful blow, Ali shook his head several times indicating he was not hurt. In the fourth the champion was finding gaps in Ali’s defence, pinning him to the ropes Frazier let rip with his trademark blows to the body. Mid way through the fourth Frazier landed several punches that would have floored a horse.

Ali predicted he would stop the champion in the sixth, but it was Frazier who looked like he wanted to close the show as he landed with several monstrous lefts. The next few round’s Ali looked tired as Joe persisted with relentless pressure while Ali opened up with sporadic flurry’s.

The commentary team had said they had never witnessed a heavyweight fight with such intensity; one commentator compared the pace to that of a Henry Armstrong fight.

Round eleven was a huge round for Frazier, as he pinned Ali to the ropes he went to work on the body as Ali continued to talk to the champion, something he had been doing through the bout. Ali sensing an opening launched an attack, both landed savage blows. Ali invited Frazier back in with his customary hand gesture; Frazier obliged and landed a murderous left which buckled the legs of Ali. For a moment Ali looked to be going to the canvas but was saved by the ropes, Joe continued to launch an attack but Ali was now on the move. Frazier again rocked Ali with a huge left before the bell signalled the end of the round.

In the fifteenth and final round both fighters faces where grotesquely swollen, Ali’s right jaw was swollen and Frazier around both eyes that were closing. With 24 seconds gone in the final round Frazier landed a dazzling left sending Ali to the canvas (for only the third time in his career). All survived to the end despite having his head jolted back several times. Round 15 won Ring Magazine Round of the Year

Frazier retained his title with a unanimous decision, this was Muhammad Ali’s first professional loss.

Ali and Frazier fought twice more, Ali winning both encounters. The last of these was the 1975 “Thrilla in Manila”, which, like the first bout, won the Ring Magazine Fight of the Year and was even more gruelling than their first encounter and probably the best of their completed trilogy.

TBH