Which act of rising from a thunderous blow was more spectacular...Ali almost immediately rising from Frazier's left hook in the 15th round or Fury rising after what seemed an age when Wilder detonated dynamite on his chin?
Both men virtually defied and denied the impossible in these two cases. I could n't put a Rizla paper between them meritwise.
Personally, when Muhammad Ali arose from that left hook thrown by Smoking Joe Frazier in round 15, on March 8 1971, it was quite a feat, not many got up from it. Joe earned the victory, but Ali had just 2 fights in 43 months, that is not Frazier's fault as I admired both, but would have liked to have seen Joe fight Ali at his peak as champion in 1967, but Yank Durham did not want Joe in the ring with Ali back then, it was even said during an interview.
You can't even compare the two fights, Frazier and Ali was total war for 15 rounds. Wilder and Fury for the most part was a snooze fest. I doubt Fury would have been there to get up against Frazier in the 15 round. I think Ali's rising was greater considering the punishment he'd taken
I agree with this. After 15 rounds at a fantastic pace with both fighters absorbing tremendous punishment, Ali arose from the canvas as though he was embarrassed in finding himself on the floor. Remember, Frazier was never quite the same after the first fight which shows how much he had to give to win the match.
Hard to compare since I didn't watch FOTC live, but seeing Fury's eyes suddenly pop open is quite likely the most surreal moment I've ever experienced watching sports. Maybe overall.
Fury's was really impressive especially considering he had been knocked down earlier in the fight too. But Ali's was otherworldly. As has been said, he had taken some serious punishment throughout a really fast paced fight (he dished out a lot of punishment too). The extra three rounds and the much higher intensity in the preceding 14 rounds makes it a more impressive feat to me. Fury's was incredible too, also how he ended the round after getting up was special.
