Ali/Joe Frazier 40th anniversary statute

I think it would be a beautiful way to commemorate a great historic fight.


But I think Louis vs. Schmeling would be more fitting

 

New York City doesn't care anymore.

It is sad, but the truth is, in New York City the FOTC is rarely talked about.

I don't even think a celebrity benefit honoring the fight at the Garden would
sell-out.

Unless someone donated a bronze statue, maybe. As for New York, the City will never get involved.

 

Cheese, nice post for me as I was at that great event ,March 8,1971 at MSG.
God, how time flies!.I remember that night so vividly. Entering the Garden with our ducats,there was so much excitement in the air. Fur coats were abounding and some on men.True. I remember sitting in the side balcony on old MSG, with my binoculars looking for celebrities at ringside. Sinatra was their and burt Lancaster, amongst a host of famous people. I remember the introductions of famous fighters,before the fight, Louis, Tunney, Walcott,etc
but the crowd was screaming because the announcer ommited Jack Dempsey
who,better late than ever, was introduced to the audience,and the crowd gave
the Manassa Mauler a resounding ovation.We in the audience was thrilled,
and then the fight started, and WE all know the rest. A night I shall never forget,equal to the great fight I saw at the old Polo Grounds in 1951, when I saw Sugar Ray Robinson ko Randy Turpin in the 10th round in a desperate
do or die attack,as Robinson's eye was pouring blood, and the ref might have stopped the bout soon. Add to this i was sitting about 10-15 rows in back of
Gen. Douglas MacArthur.A night to remember too. A statue by the city ? Nice,
but if not, I have my memories to suffice...

 

Addendum-I was seated in the END balcony ...

 

Great idea, but i hope it doesn't look like the concept art.

 

Jeez Burt - don't you ever leave this forum EVER - reading that post I get the wide eyed excitement, the awe, the experience, even a bit of a wistful lump in my throat aswell for some reason - you capture it for me - and also feel a funny bit of pride for you - you were there carrying the torch for us Classic fans who couldn't make it to the Garden that night :good

 

That would be pretty damn cool.

 

I remember listening on the radio, an end of round review.
The radio broadcaster, was so clear in his description.
At the end of the round description, he would say 'I give this round to Frazier/Ali'
It gave you a feel of the scoring.
Can't remember who it was, but it was on ABC-Radio (770 on the AM dial)

The consensus was, Ali could only win by a decision, and Frazier could only
win by a knock-out.

Boy was I shocked.

I was waiting to hear, that Ali crawled across the ring to congratulate Joe.
But it never happened. Just imagine that photograph.

How the hell did Burt Lancaster get involved,,,,,??

 

he was brought in by jerry perenchio to do the commentating.

The most important fight in history and the good guy won thank god.

 

and sinatra!!

 

sinatra was asked by life magazine to take photos for them in fact he took the photo thats in my avatar pic

 

It certainly would,Pete. The biggest sporting event of my lifetime. At LEAST a close contender for ANY time.

 

Sinatra was certainly multi-talented. He could sing,act AND take good photographs.