Reviewing "Ali-Frazier 1" right now outta tribute to Joe Frazier's death....

I thought it was pretty close but I'd still score it for Frazier without the knockdown. I remember thinking Ali got a lead early too.

 

One of the most significant wins in history and one of the greatest performances imo.

 

Also, Joe should have been credited with 2 knockdowns.

 

I saw that fight in 1971. And at the end of the fight, before the verdict was announced
the feeling amongst my section in the end balcony was that Frazier WON the fight...
Nary a dissenting voice was heard.

 

rc,right on ! Frazier was at his high water mark in the FOTC. Lost his speed
after that fight. Once your punches slow down a tad, it's usually downhill after that. No heavyweight in history expended as much energy in a bout as Joe Frazier. A full three minutes of each round. Bound to take it's toll,
along with natural aging....Cheers.

 

Man, it's years ago I saw that fight (maybe 10 or more) for the last time, so I don't remember how I scored it at the time.
What I do know is I scored it pretty wide for Frazier, like I scored many of Ali's close fights against him. Truth is I became somewhat alergic for his tricks, facial expressions, spoils etc until I got to a point where I deliberately started to score close rounds against him when he had pulled something from his (big) bag of tricks.

I know that's wrong, but it's exactly the same (or exact opposite) what most others did.
Close round, Ali takes a punch, smothers and holds his opponent... shakes no from the punch he just took and starts joking to the audience. Result, Ali round... BUT NOT ON MY CARD IT ISN'T! :bart

That maybe also the reason why I scored Ali vs Norton II in favour of Norton, but I'm still positive over Norton III though

 

the knockdown did not have any effect on the fight because in those days it was scored on a rounds basis not the 10 point must system.

 

I think alot of people, many professional judges even, either dismiss, do not notice, or do not value clean/effective body punching.

I can see why this is, its alot harder to notice an effective bodyshot compared to a headshot. Upstairs you can see the head snap back/sideways, damage, covering up etc..whereas bodyshots sometimes appear to cause no visual effect at all, other than the opponent stalling to catch their breath or covering up...alot harder to spot.

For example many people had Ali way ahead during the Thrilla in Manila, im pretty sure i had Frazier up by 2 rounds before it was stopped. Ive not scored FOTC but the impression i had, was that Fazier won it pretty clearly.

 

Oh yes,it was definitely a close one. It's just that I see Frazier as the deserving winner on that occasion. I agree that Muhammad was going for the ko,and he looked pretty good doing it. There's not many others who would have taken Ali's licks as well as Frazier did.

 

8 to 4 Ali in the second fight sounds pretty good to me.

 

It was pretty wide in favor of Frazier. I'll tell you this, had Ali not been dropped in the final round........................................................................he still would have lost by a wide margin. This thread disrespects one of the greatest performances by a single fighter in the history of the sport.

 

This was not the smartest post I've seen... You should perhaps stick to sarcasm, this mode doesn't work that well.

 

Grow the **** up!

 

Great, great fight. A true war. Joe won fair and square. That's about it.