The conclusion of the fight of the century. Ali vs Frazier 1

Fascinating.

It seems boxing was a much bigger deal back then, at least in the US.

 

The shenanigans that really ramped up in the late seventies - multiple champions, exclusive contracts with networks and promoters, 12-round title fights, ratings based on anything but ability and accomplishments - really turned off potential US boxing fans, in my opinion. People in power in boxing killed the goose that laid the golden eggs. If they'd nurtured fighters, played by established norms, acted in the best interest in the sport, and not been so focused on quick profits they'd be a lot wealthier than they already are because the sport would have more mainstream appeal and many more fans.

Regarding Ali and Frazier... man, those two really gave it their all against each other. Especially Joe.

 

Frazier gave every ounce of himself that night.

 

Saw the fight in Boston. Joe was never the same again...he left everything he had in the ring on the night of March 8, 1971. He wasn't going to lose...you would have had to kill him to beat him that night.

 

Good points all - I’d add that when boxing was no longer being broadcast on network TV, it started losing the mass appeal the sport needed to survive and thrive. When the average sports fan can easily tune in and watch a top level championship fight on a Friday or Saturday night, that’s what creates loyalty and enthusiasm. Once upon a time, the average person could name at least one or two boxers (besides Ali, of course); when we lost that, along with the shenanigans listed above, it was the death knell for the sport. Baseball, football, hockey, etc never had to suffer the same fate

 

I was a small kid when Ali was losing to Spinks. I remember going to school the next day and it was a huge deal. Boxing was still really big. By my mid teens Tyson came around. I grew up with boxing being fairly mainstream. It wasn’t until pay per view that boxing seemed to leave the mainstream. That, the multiple champions, and the exit from free tv really hurt boxing.

With ESPN showing classic fights lately, I’ve loved hearing people talk boxing again. It’s especially cool with people who’ve never seen Ali & Frazier before. I saw one guy online saying “Man those guys really went at it!” I love that!

 

I heard the Fight Of The Century over the radio on March 8 1971. The fight was a great one, Joe won it and it was a well deserved win for him. The fight however had politics wrapped around it. If you wanted Joe Frazier to win, you were for the war in Vietnam. If you were for Muhammad Ali, you were against the war in Vietnam. Many did say that the U. S Government aided Joe, because Ali was past his prime years, 1964-1967, and they were the ones that banned Ali for 3 and a half years, 1967-1970. He was not his peak any more, but a rusty fighter. But Frazier's management did play it right because Yank Durham told the press in 1967, Joe Is Not Ready For The Likes Of Clay. The FOTC was the most anticipated bout in history. It had been said by the press that if Ali had won, he would have lost his draft evasion conviction appeal with the U. S. Supreme Court, and would have had to serve out his sentence in prison. If Frazier had won, which he did, the U. S. Supreme Court would have set him free, which they did on June 28 1971.

 

Can you show me where you're reading this online stuff? I'd be very interested in hearing from casuals who know nothing about the 2.

 

Going off at a tangent, what heavies would have beat Joe that night with him in that form.

 

Not many imo

 

Most of the comments I saw were just Facebook comments. A lot of people commented on twitter also if you search Ali Frazier.

 

Appreciate it my good man. I hope I didn't come off as sarcastic.

 

Nobody imo. The only other fighter in history I've seen as determined that night would be Duran against Leonard I. I think Foreman, Holmes, and Tyson would have been stopped in 12, even the mighty Joe Louis.

I see that look in Joe's eyes and I see Foreman getting chopped down, Tyson getting beat all over the ring. All of them, including Holmes, would have done really good the first four or five rounds, and I think Foreman would have knocked him down. But they all would have succumbed. Frazier was pure will to power that night imo.