Ali's legend was signed,sealed and delivered as soon as he won the title back from George Foreman in 1974. Many of us,including myself,regard the third Frazier bout as Muhammad's last legacy fight. But did he need it legacy wise ? I'm becoming more and more convinced that if he'd jacked it in after the Kinshasa 'Rumble' he'd still be rated just as high as he is now. Zaire was the last act. Manilla was the encore ?
Muhammad had already evened the score with Joe in their second fight. Anyone can talk about Ali's clinching,but Muhammad definitely won it.
Agreed m8. :thumbsup Ali in teh 2nd Smokey Joe superfight looked teh closest to his 60's peak he ever did post-exile. :mj
Manila cemented Ali`s legacy. At a helluva cost. His toughness was already established before that but he took it to legendary status. Nobody even his biggst haters could question Muhammad Ali`s courage and desire after Manila. Yeah he needed Manila its part of the Ali legend.
