Thrilla in Manila (part 1 of 6)

No Soccermatch today but another historical sport event. I Hope you enjoy it :)

The Thrilla in Manila is the third and final famous boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World, fought at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines on October 1, 1975.

The bout is often ranked as one of the greatest fights of 20th century boxing, and is the climax to the bitter rivalry between Ali and Frazier over who was the legitimate Heavyweight Champion. That situation came about after Ali was stripped of the title over his refusal to join the armed forces when drafted during the Vietnam war. Some years later after repeated weekly prodding from Ali, Frazier petitioned President Nixon to restore Ali's right to box thereby bringing about the so called Fight of the Century between two undisputed heavyweight champions in 1971.

During the whole period between their first and their last face-off in Manila, including the years which preceded the restoration of Ali's right to fight, Ali had used his wit, sharp tongue, and position with the press to take characteristic verbal pot shots at Frazier (as was his practice with all opponents—and which made good copy and controversy) but these became controversial and at times ugly, after his loss in the fight of the Century, and this verbal battery heated the rivalry into new territory.

Both boxers battled each other into near incapacity, and Frazier's trainer determined he should stop the bout after the fourteenth round, so the decision went to Ali as a technical knockout (TKO). The early and middle parts of the fight were close, with spectacular ebb and flow, and in the later rounds things gradually swung Ali's way in the scoring for any likely decision. The final match up between Ali and Frazier was ultimately detrimental to the health of both fighters. The first fight in 1971 between these two pugilists went fifteen rounds and the second fight going 12 rounds, which were both similarly hard on the participants.

source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrilla_...

Aftermath:
Ali: I always bring out the best in men I fight, but Joe Frazier, I'll tell the world right now, brings out the best in me. I'm gonna tell ya, that's one helluva man, and God bless him

Frazier:Lawdy, Lawdy his a great and mighty champion. I hit him with punches that would have brought down the walls of a city."

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  Sports

[Greg Thomson]

why the fuck is everyone even comparing this to the ufc, its a different sport and they both have different strengths and weaknesses!

[Sluggo1971]

There will never be anything like this again. Round limits and pampered athletes will not allow it. This fight was like running a marathon in the sun with somebody punching you in the face and guts. Not to mention the caliber of fighter each of them was and the animosity between them. Nothing has compared since.

[alex Apellido]

que brutal combate pero para mi el rival mas duro ue tuvo ali fue el temible joe smoking frazier

[Sluggo1971]

If you read anything on Joe Frazier, or watch any of the documentaries, you know this is merely Ali's side of the story. Ali may have been putting on a show to sell fights, but Joe thought he took it too far and got to personal and held a grudge for a long time, maybe even until he died.

[Sven Brands]

where's the sound???

[Mads Pedersen]

Just for the record; read Ali's biography. Him and Joe were actually friends, and planned most of their mutual "animosity" together.

They both really wanted to win, though...

[Wind Helm]

i am a fan of Ali but i always hate how he treats his opponents

[gregjordan38]

Very upsetting to think how the two of these incredible fighters ended up. As much as i like Ali i always thought his behaviour towards Fraiser was a disgrace especially given the help Fraiser offered him when he was out of boxing. Also this is the greatest fight ever and the hevyweight division now and boxing in general aint got shit on this

[MrKyleBJJ]

There will NEVER, EVER be another fight like this again. Not only in terms of rivalries, star power, abilities, and skills, but everything that this fight meant. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were representing so much more than their gyms and promoters, this was a clash of styles and cultures. This was and always will be the most important fight in any combat sport and this won't change any time soon.

[ExplodingBumfluff]

That round 14. Joe Frazier. Holy shit. How was that man still standing. Its beyond me. See no matter how much you train, you can't teach that, thats called courage and heart. It don't matter how hard you hit, its about how many hits you can take and joe was like a brick wall. He just didn't back down. Thats admirable.

[TheMasterNo6]

Round 14 is legendary. If anyone wonders why people go to boxing matches - watch round 14...

[Lester Morillo]

My dad was in the crowd right at the back watching this, Crazy.....