Somebody above mentioned Holmes-Norton. This is another overrated fight IMO. Holmes controlled that fight clearly outside of a handful of action packed, close rounds. Those rounds were great, no doubt, but the people who always act like that was a sustained 15 round war are blinkered as far as Im concerned.
??? I'm not talking about lightweight title fights, am I? I'm comparing the first and third fights between Ali and Frazier and I'm saying the first was fought at a faster pace.
Thanks Loudon. As was that. Nice to know it chimed with someone. For me the TiM was a monumental event that utterly transcended sport in a way you don't see in the social media-friendly faux rivalries that every fight seems to need nowadays. I wasn't around at the time but once I got into boxing I felt compelled to watch it and, having done that, to read up on the back story. I just can't imagine anyone doing that in years to come with any of the current crop, despite all the dramatic hyperbole they try soooo hard to generate beforehand.
Great fights are not only based on the action in the ring. The stakes, the crowd, and the stories leading up to the fight are all part of the equation. The what is there was a 15th round in Manila is a very good what if. Sure Frazier eyes were slower, but Ali was out of gas.
Watch the last video posted within this article. Cosell interviews Ali right after his third bout with Frazier. Note Alis emphasis concerning the SHAPE he was in going into the bout. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/o...have-been-the-greatest-fight-of-all-time.html
Frazier was blind after round 14. The bout was over. He is telling his corner “I can’t see” and Futch stops the fight. The idea Joe could have won this bout if he went out for the last round is hogwash. Joe could have been seriously injured.
I guess you missed the point. Most understand lighter weight boxers fight at a quicker pace. As far as FOTC being at a faster pace did you forget about the rounds Ali layed on the ropes resting? Clowning? Throwing those silly little play punches? Frazier was certainly fighting but there is no comparison between the way Ali went at Frazier in Manila and the other fights. Be serious please.
Ferdie Pacheco. Bundini Brown. There were references to it in Thomas Hauser's biography on Ali. Stop smokin that Reggie Bush. How do you think they felt when Ali came back to the corner after round 10 and said "if feel like I'm dying"? I think they were quite concerned.
