Interesting stuff from the survivors of the fight and what actually happened in the corners. I don't know if this sets the record straight, but Ali said he "felt" like quitting after the 10th round, confirmed by Dr. Pacheco. Obviously he didn't quit because he got punished by Fraizer in the 11th round only to arguably put together the best rounds of his career, punishing Frazier in return, rounds 12, 13 and 14. It was after the 14 round, confirmed once again by Dr. Pacheco, that Ali said "cut em off, I ain't going back out there, that man's crazy." Willie Monroe, a decent Philly middleweight fighter, heard the exact same words from Ali, sitting at ringside behind his corner. He heard Ali clearly tell Dundee and Pacheco to cut off his gloves. The question now is how much weight of truth you can attribute to what Pacheco said in the documentary. He did seem adamant that Ali wanted to quit after the 14th, but turned to Frazier's corner and saw Futch motion to Padilla to stop the fight. From what I saw, Ali punched himself out, had little to nothing left, and looked much more tired than Frazier, who's right eye was practically closed but wanted to go out on his shield.
Ali wanted to quit but would have willed it for one more round. Knowing his heart and knowing the danger Frazier is there is no doubt he goes out there to win the final round.
Really, the courage and heart that both men showed in that fight is staggering. It's why we're boxing fans, isn't it? In a good fight, boxing strips everything down to its essence and produces drama unknown in any other sport. No other sporting event could reproduce the drama, excitement, majesty of the Thrilla, or Hearns/Hagler, or Castillo/Corrales. Nothing in sport is better than a good prize fight. Of course, few things in sport are worse than a bad fight; but one good fight is compensation for a dozen bad ones.
Good point my man....Boxing,once in a while,churns up a fight that makes up for everything bad since or up until then.That's why we boxing fans...love this game so much...Cause on a good night...and there've been plenty coming down history...there is nothing like it in the world....Imagine being a spectator in the Leonard/Hagler fight.....Hearns/Hagler war...those will meke up for ten bad years of boxing. Great post.
