Have Ali ever claimed he won the first Frazier fight?

CooperKupp · Feb 24, 2025

Viy said: ↑

Yes. Ali attempted to paint it as a "white man's decision".

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24:49

Like clockwork

Stevie G · Feb 24, 2025

Bokaj said: ↑

I think their rivalry needed that final fight. They were one apiece and the second was a bit of a let down excitement wise, so a classic third fight was the perfect ending.
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I see what you mean. As far and Muhammad and Joe's rivalry went,they needed the decider.

Stevie G · Feb 25, 2025

Bokaj said: ↑

Yeah, just rewatched the first four as well, and the ones I disagree the most about with the above is rds 3-4. Frazier come on strong in the last 10-20 seconds of both and rocked Ali, but Ali dominated the rest of them and must win them for that reason imo. In the third it was literally the last 10 seconds that belonged completely to Joe, but that just isn't enough when the other guy has been on top for the rest of the round. So 1-4 to Ali imo and I don't see a good argument for them not to be.

On the other hand I had the 5th and 7th for Frazier, so we're not far apart concerning the total. How do you feel about the 13th? Rds 5, 10 and 13 are the close ones imo. Rds 1-4, 9 and 14 are clear for Ali, and 6-8, 11-12 and 15 clear for Frazier imo. With rds 11 and 15 of course being the most one-sided.

As an aside, I have to say that while there's endless talk about Ali's excessive holding in the rematch hardly anything is said about Frazier's many punches that stray a bit low and his use of the head. "Frazier makes good use of the head on the inside" as Dunphy put it. Frazier use of the head was also something Ellis's camp highlighted before their fight.
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Good point re Joe's "Below the Mason-Dixon line punches" and his head.

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Have Ali ever claimed he won the first Frazier fight?

CooperKupp “B.. but they all playin NBA basketball again!” Full Member

Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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Have Ali ever claimed he won the first Frazier fight?

CooperKupp “B.. but they all playin NBA basketball again!” Full Member

Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member