Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier Boxing Rivalry
One of the greatest rivalries not only in boxing but in all of sports history, the three-fight saga between boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier would go on to define the careers and lives of these boxers both in and out of the ring.
Rivalry Overview
What started as one massively anticipated battle between two up-and-coming undefeated boxers in Muhammad Ali (31-0) and Joe Frazier (26-0) would eventually become one of the greatest rivalries in boxing and the sports world. The first match for the heavyweight title was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, 1971 and was one of the most popular sporting events at the time. It featured Muhammad Ali, who, before his rivalry with Frazier, had notably refused to serve in Vietnam after being drafted and winning an Olympic Gold medal for Team USA during the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. His opponent was rising boxer Joe Frazier, considered the real-life "Rocky," due to his training in Philadelphia. He had won all 10 of his first fights by knockout. The tension leading to the battle between the two boxing giants was palpable.
The first fight between the two legends did not disappoint and was won by Frazier. After a 15-round slugfest, Frazier was declared the winner by decision. Many credit this victory to him knocking Ali down in the 15th round. The fans demanded the second match between the two after the initial fight’s massive success, and in 1974 the boxers yielded to their demands. It again lived up to the hype as, this time before the battle, Ali called out and mocked Frazier for his injuries from the first fight. From there, things got personal. Ali won the rematch after another 15-round war, which set up the trilogy's finale. This epic showdown saw the boxers sit at 1-1 record-wise head to head, and the tiebreaker that would take place in 1975 in the Philippines, leading to it being nicknamed "Thrilla in Manila." After both fighters' valiant efforts, Ali won the third fight and the series between the two legends after the referees stopped the fight in the 14th round due to Frazier's injuries.
Notable Rivalry Fights
- March 8th, 1971: This is the initial date for the fighter's first fight in the future trilogy between each other, taking place at Madison Square Garden; Frazier won the fight after 15 rounds and claimed the heavyweight title.
- January 28th, 1974: The highly anticipated rematch between Ali and Frazier, called "Super Fight II," was again hosted at Madison Square Garden. This rematch saw Ali get his revenge on Frazier by winning the fight by decision after 15 rounds and even the series between the two 1 to 1.
- October 1st, 1975: The "Thrilla in Manilla" was the final fight between the two and saw Ali win the series 2-1. The finale was notably held in the Philippines, and both fighters gave it their all until the bitter end when it had to be called off due to health concerns for Frazier.
Notable Players and Coaches in the Rivalry
- Muhammad Ali: Often labeled the greatest fighter of all time, Ali won the series 2-1 over Frazier and won Olympic Gold for the USA in the 1960 Olympic Games.
- Joe Frazier: Son of a one-armed farmer in South Carolina, Joe became one of the greatest boxing legends of all time and a gold medalist after the 1964 Olympic games. His tenacity and will to win in the ring are iconic.
- Angelo Dundee: A world-famous boxing trainer and former coach of Muhammad Ali, he was courtside during all three fights and was very close with Ali personally.
- Eddie Futch: Trainer and ring-side coach for Joe Frazier; he is best known for calling off the third Ali-Frazier fight after he claimed his fighter couldn't see with his injuries and that it was too dangerous to continue.
Helpful Links
- After 50 years, Ali-Frazier I remains the fight that transcends the sport
- Commentary: Looking back at Ali vs. Frazier: 50 years since ‘The Fight of the Century’
- Video: When Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier got into a fight in a TV studio | Boxing on ESPN
- Rewatch Thrilla in Manila: Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier on ESPN+ for Free
FAQ
Why were Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier rivals?
Due to growing up in different backgrounds and the narrative that the media was constantly pushing, the rivalry between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier was happening regardless of their decisions. Both fighters made comments outside the ring to help further incite the rivalry between them, including Frazier's comments on Ali's financial ability to get a lawyer and dodge the draft and Ali's words on Frazier's injuries before their initial rematch.
When did the rivalry between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier start?
The rivalry started before their first fight actually happened and was initially ignited by Frazier's comments regarding Ali's decision not to participate in the ongoing Vietnam War. Before this, the two were known as friends in a sense, and after the media frenzy and their first fight, which took place March 8th, 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the rivalry was on. This hatred towards each other would last for quite some time, and it was not until they were both much older that they eventually reconciled.
What was the “Thrilla in Manila?”
The "Thrilla in Manilla" was the massively anticipated finale between Ali and Frazier. Unlike the previous two fights held at MSG in New York City, this one would be hosted in the Philippines; the match was fought in a ring that some claimed was almost 109 degrees Fahrenheit. This hot and humid environment exhausted the fighters quickly, and the fight became a war of attrition. The battle ended with Ali being named the victor after Frazier's trainer called it off due to the injuries sustained to Frazier's eye and its impact on his vision.