Ali beat Frazier in FOTC

Never written one down, and I have often changed my mind I think on one or two of the early rds.

But of the first 5, Joe has the clearest case for rd 3, since he rocks Ali at the end of it. Ali dominates the first two, two and half minutes, though, so it's question of where one puts the emphasis. Rd 1 and 4 are a bit similar in that Ali dominates most of them, but Joe comes on late with some really hurtful hooks. In rd 5 Joe is clearly in ascendancy, but he gets too confident, starts clowning and gives the round to Ali.

So 4-1 to Ali is probably my usual score for those first 5.

6, 7 and 8 are all Joe, but Ali stops his momentum mid through rd 9 so that round goes to Ali. 10 is really close and I think I usually call that one even.

11 and 12 are all Joe again, but Ali comes back somewhat in 13 and 14, but I think it's only 14 that I've given to Ali. 15 is of course a no brainer.

 

At some interview (its on YT) Larry Merchant sold the same story...

 

Going by the official scorecards, plus the AP and UPI cards, there were 11 rounds arguably won by Ali and only 3 indisputably won by Frazier. Which obviously doesn't change the broad consensus of a close but clear win for Frazier, but does show that it wasn't the one-sided beating some people would claim.

Mercante

AAF FFA AFA AFE FFF

Aidala

AAF FFF FAA FFF AAF

Recht

FAF FAF FFA FFF FAF

AP

FAA FAF EFA FFF FAF

UPI

AAF FAA AFA EFF FAF

 

We went and saw the fight on closed circuit TV on March 8, 1971...( as did most of the population)...and NOT ONE PERSON in the media...(TV...radio...the newspapers)...said that Ali won the FOTC! This is only been a few years.....(revisionist history)...that this opinion has reared it's ugly head! It was a "howitzer" vs a "peashooter!" Frazier throwing bombs...while Ali spent the night throwing jabs...clutching and holding joe behind the head...(naturally!)...laying on the ropes...shaking his head every time Joe connected with a booming left hook...and talking to him! Ali couldn't do anything with Frazier! If it wasn't for Joe...they're wouldn't have been a fight! Joe was forcing all the action! Then while Ali was laying on the ropes and talking...Joe pulls him off the ropes and continues pounding the body! Frazier had nothing left after this fight! He left everything he had in the ring that night at MSG. It was his greatest victory! Ali won that fight? Don't think so...and neither did anyone else!

 

Frazier got arguably the greatest win in history that night

 

A clear win for Joe Frazier.

 

Perhaps I'm mistaken. Though I do think Mercante said he would've given the fight to Ali had he not been clowning around?

 

I just watched it again, and scored it 9-6 for Frazier. I remember this fight well. In spite of Frazier's style advantages, and Ali's long layoff, I lost $100 on this fight, to the then owner of the Maplewood Inn, in Hammonton, New Jersey. And I never heard the end of it until Ali - Foreman was in the books. God rest his soul, he knew Ali was actually the better fighter, because he sold his shares in Frazier right after Ali - Frazier 1, thereby avoiding the price crash after Foreman - Frazier 1. I did get the $100 back, though, on the Ali - Foreman fight. Those were great times!

 

I think Ali does better than he is given credit for. I'll leave it at that

 

I dont know why, but I burst out laughing when I read this. Well done, George

 

Yeah, I'm sure I did.

Post links to them if you're so sure.

 

I like Larry. But hes one of the few people that drinks more than I do.

 

Of course. It was the ****ing Fight of the Century: 2 Gladiators.

 

Welcome back btw

 

Thanks, but I've been here the whole time. Maybe been posting less frequently here in Classic, but I've been around.