Where Do You Rate FOTC?

I think it’s one of the most culturally significant and anticipated fights ever, along with Johnson-Jeffries, Louis-Schmeling, and maybe Holmes-Cooney. While it was Frazier’s night, it was the most evenly contested of the bunch.

 

NEWSFLASH!!!! The swag gets it right once again!!

 

oddly enough I find the 3rd fight one I barely find enjoyment in (not because Frazier lost lol). I just see 2 greats who are in varying states of decline....almost on par with Gatti vs Ward. A competitive battle for sure, but the skill level does not engage me like the first fight.

 

hmmm...while I do agree that the two best possible versions of each of them met that March night in 1971, and the fight was more strategic, I have always thought both looked great in Manila, especially Ali

 

In terms of historical importance I guess it is clearly a top 5-10 fight. In terms of enjoyment...I don’t really like HW boxing in contrast to lower weights. In HW fights I would say it is top 5-10 in enjoyment of a HW battle...overall? I can probably find 20-50 fights I would rather rewatch without much struggle.

 

It's hard to explain to somebody who wasn't alive at the time just how big this fight really was. It brought the entire world to a halt. And it is also one of the best heavyweight fights ever. And thankfully, the fight film holds up really well today. Always worth a watch

 

I got the impression you weren't a fan of the FOTC.

 

Explain.

 

I don't buy into the idea that Ali was washed-up or something like that, at this point in time. Even Joe, who looked a gonner after the FOTC, looked spectacular against Bugner and Quarry in the rematch.

 

So odd, Dempsey and Tunney were around for the 50 anniversary of the long count. I believe I seen a pic of them for the 50 anniversary a while ago. Yet today both Ali and Fraizer are gone for the 50 anniversary for there historic fight.

 

Thought you'd enjoy this: https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-b...q-is-the-greatest-heavyweight-title-bout-ever I did much myself.

 

He may not have been washed up but he was nearly 34 and had a lot taken out of him in TFOTC, and against Foreman. Frazier was also nearly 32 years, and his style was NOT suited for longevity like Ali. Add to that he was never the same, after beating Ali 4 years earlier. A part of why he looked good against Quarry was because Quarry himself was at the end of the road.

 

FOTC was a great fight, but I do think some fights on a historic level and action level can give it a run for its money.

Sullivan vs Jake Kilrain? Yeah no film, but reports claim it was one of the greatest fights there ever was at the time.
Jeffries comeback win over Corbett? Yeah no film.
Dempsey vs Firpo was short, but action pack.
Louis vs Schmeling 1 was a great fight and a great upset.
Marciano vs Walcott always makes my top 5 heavyweight fights. Great fight
Ali vs Foreman and Fraizer III are great.
Holmes vs Norton?
Tyson vs Holyfield 1.
Lewis vs the older Kilt brother.
Fury vs Wilder 1 was pretty fun to watch. Even when Fury look clearly knock out and he just pop up like that lol. Like he was rising from the dead or something.

 

This thread has gotten me fired up to re-watch this classic once more!

 

That's another great view of it also, the world literally stopped on that night of FOTC.
Their have been a few after that had that type of impact, Ali V Foreman, Holmes v Cooney, Leonard V Duran in Montreal,
Maybe Hagler v Hearns, .....
..... But their haven't been many.....