amazing I wish more folks followed historical boxing. This is why i love coming to this forum. We are a pretty unique bunch.
I recall an editorial I believe by Nat Fleischer in Ring Magazine on the purses of FOTC in which he wrote "..... never again will two fighters be able to command purses of two-and-a-half million each." While those figures were unprecedented at the time, how times have changed!!
Many undeserving fighters get more than that today, some would be no more than club fighters in FOTC era.
One of the most anticipated fights ever. Muhammad Ali was undefeated, so was Joe Frazier. Both had a claim to the World Heavyweight title. Ali won it from Sonny Liston on Feb 25 1964, TJO 7. made 9 defenses , including a very one side beating of WBA Champion Ernie Terrell in 1967. Ali was then stripped of his title and license for defying the draft board and refusing to go to Vietnam in 1967. Joe Frazier who was no. 1 contender at the time of Ali's draft conviction, Yank Durham was shrewd, not wanting Joe to fight Ali back then. Joe reeled off more victories, gained more experience. Frazier stayed out of the WBA Tournament in 1967, instead won the 5 state heavyweight title by stopping undefeated Buster Mathis in11 rounds on March 4 1968 in Madison Square Garden, while protesters outside insisted that Ali was still the champion, this set the stage for a huge debate. On Feb 16 1970, Joe took out WBA champion Jimmy Ellis in 5 rounds to become the undisputed champion of he world. Ali returned in Oct 1970, after a 43 month banishment, stopping no.1 contender Jerry Quarry by TKO 3, then stopped Oscar Bonavena two months later by TKO 15. Both Joe and Ali fought one of the greatest fights ever. That night, March 8 1971, both champions left their best in the ring that night. Frazier earned a hard fought 15 round unanimous decision to settle the debate once and for all. We may nrver see a fight like this again in our lifetime
