The rivalry between legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier started long before their first fight, and its impact still lasts today. As soon as Frazier won his first Olympic gold medal in 1964, four years after Ali’s first medal, they were destined to fight each other.
Ali was first to arrive on the scene. In 1964, before Frazier had started his career, Ali became the heavyweight champion of the world. In 1967, he risked his career, title, and undefeated record because he refused to accept the draft under the reason that it offended his Muslim beliefs. He was then stripped of his title and lost his career. After three years, Ali was finally readmitted into the boxing world, winning three consecutive matches and anticipating his debut with Joe Frazier.
Joe Frazier started his career later than Ali, but he wasn’t any worse. He started his career in 1965 after winning a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics. He won 14 straight matches and was ready to fight Ali when Ali was stripped of his title. After that, Frazier won nine more matches to remain undefeated and become the new heavyweight champion. When Ali reentered the boxing world, Frazier focused all of his time preparing for the upcoming fight with Ali.
As the big fight between Ali and Frazier was approaching, Ali had been publicly insulting Frazier, repeatedly calling him an “Uncle Tom." This was one of Ali’s classic moves, verbally wearing down his opponent before the fight and playing with their confidence. Frazier couldn’t understand this strategy. It confused him because they were already promised $2.5 million and the fight was already a guaranteed sellout, so they did not have to do anything extra to promote their fight. As a result, Frazier did not retaliate with insults of his own.
The fight that would later be dubbed as “The Fight of the Century,” was the most anticipated battle of its time. Riots broke out across the country over who would win the fight. The day that Ali and Frazier were supposed to fight each other, Madison Square Garden was sold out and it was to be televised across the world. Ali and Frazier were evenly matched, and no one could have predicted the outcome. One of Ali’s most famous sayings was, “I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee,” and during the match he did exactly that. But even Ali was not immune to Frazier’s left hook, the punch that led Ali sprawling to the floor in the 15th round. Ali was able to recover, and stayed up for the rest of the match. The unanimous decision was made at the end of the round. Frazier had won the fight and kept the title.
After Frazier’s victory, Ali and Frazier had two more matches, both of which Muhammad Ali had won. The “Thrilla in Manila,” was their most devastating fight. Before the fight, Ali had said, “It’s gonna be a killa, a chilla, a thrilla, when I get the gorilla in Manila.” The fighting started at the first bell and continued for 14 brutal rounds. Frazier didn’t come out of the corner at the end of the 14th round, giving Ali the win by technical knockout. After the fight, Ali said, “It was like death. Closest thing to dyin' that I know of.”
Ali and Frazier did not just leave a few good fights for everyone to talk about. Their rivalry changed the face of boxing by setting new standards for other boxers. They are role models for people who grew up in harsh conditions. They showed that it didn't matter what your beliefs are, where you come from, and what your background is because these tings aren’t barriers to achievement. Together, Ali and Frazier left a mark on society that will never be forgotten.
Ali was first to arrive on the scene. In 1964, before Frazier had started his career, Ali became the heavyweight champion of the world. In 1967, he risked his career, title, and undefeated record because he refused to accept the draft under the reason that it offended his Muslim beliefs. He was then stripped of his title and lost his career. After three years, Ali was finally readmitted into the boxing world, winning three consecutive matches and anticipating his debut with Joe Frazier.
Joe Frazier started his career later than Ali, but he wasn’t any worse. He started his career in 1965 after winning a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics. He won 14 straight matches and was ready to fight Ali when Ali was stripped of his title. After that, Frazier won nine more matches to remain undefeated and become the new heavyweight champion. When Ali reentered the boxing world, Frazier focused all of his time preparing for the upcoming fight with Ali.
As the big fight between Ali and Frazier was approaching, Ali had been publicly insulting Frazier, repeatedly calling him an “Uncle Tom." This was one of Ali’s classic moves, verbally wearing down his opponent before the fight and playing with their confidence. Frazier couldn’t understand this strategy. It confused him because they were already promised $2.5 million and the fight was already a guaranteed sellout, so they did not have to do anything extra to promote their fight. As a result, Frazier did not retaliate with insults of his own.
The fight that would later be dubbed as “The Fight of the Century,” was the most anticipated battle of its time. Riots broke out across the country over who would win the fight. The day that Ali and Frazier were supposed to fight each other, Madison Square Garden was sold out and it was to be televised across the world. Ali and Frazier were evenly matched, and no one could have predicted the outcome. One of Ali’s most famous sayings was, “I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee,” and during the match he did exactly that. But even Ali was not immune to Frazier’s left hook, the punch that led Ali sprawling to the floor in the 15th round. Ali was able to recover, and stayed up for the rest of the match. The unanimous decision was made at the end of the round. Frazier had won the fight and kept the title.
After Frazier’s victory, Ali and Frazier had two more matches, both of which Muhammad Ali had won. The “Thrilla in Manila,” was their most devastating fight. Before the fight, Ali had said, “It’s gonna be a killa, a chilla, a thrilla, when I get the gorilla in Manila.” The fighting started at the first bell and continued for 14 brutal rounds. Frazier didn’t come out of the corner at the end of the 14th round, giving Ali the win by technical knockout. After the fight, Ali said, “It was like death. Closest thing to dyin' that I know of.”
Ali and Frazier did not just leave a few good fights for everyone to talk about. Their rivalry changed the face of boxing by setting new standards for other boxers. They are role models for people who grew up in harsh conditions. They showed that it didn't matter what your beliefs are, where you come from, and what your background is because these tings aren’t barriers to achievement. Together, Ali and Frazier left a mark on society that will never be forgotten.
