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

I think FOTC and Manilla was more or less identical for the 10 first rounds. Their balance of fitness had just slipped ever so slightly in Ali's favour that he managed to pull out the artillery to slow Frazier down and gain the upper hand, instead of the other way around. I also think Ali perhaps was more careful not to punch himself out in the early rounds.

 

Manilla is also similar to FOTC sccore-wise IMO. I had Ali comfortably ahead at the end in Manilla just as I had Frazier in FOTC, but many rounds were close, and if someone thinks that Frazier was almost even on points I can see how they got there.

 

I see your reasoning,Bokaj. Very close fights indeed.

 

like 2 warriors coming face to face on the battlefield. one has to walk away the winner, the other falls. ali fell. frazier was the winner. he killed ali that day. on the battlefield ali would never have got up to fight again.

frazier was the better man. he was achillies beating hector. they met. one fell. the other became legend. thats how joe should be remembered. the winner of two warriors in their 1st face off.

frazier won the first true test.

 

And all credit to Joe for doing so. Muhammad won the next two true tests. Let's not forget that. Both men were superb.

 

Ali coming off a three year lay off to compete with Joe Frazier doesn't prove he was still prime, it just proves how phenomenal he was that he could last the distance with a world class, prime great when not at his best.

 

Best fight in the history of the sport..THE FIGHT..My all time favorite fight.

 

Smoke was taking a battering through 90% of this fight..He just kept comin..

 

I believe Frazier spent 3 weeks in the hospital after this fight..

 

Ali beat two class heavies in less than a year before fighting Frazier. Some act like he was stepping out of a ****ing cave, on atrophic legs, clumsily but bravely making his way to the ring, no idea if he still had an ounce of stamina, reflex or coordination left in his body, completely untested, possibly decrepit, rustier than a Spanish cannon. No, Ali wasn't in his prime. Yes, he was still great. And would prove it. And yes, beaten very, very clearly by a fresher Joe Frazier in a still great but not absolute best state.

 

Beaten 8-7 or at worst, 9-6.

Is that a wide UD ?

Maybe.


And while he still had a trick or two, he was not the Ali of 65/66/67.


Great fight and great trilogy.

 

No, I meant on my card, the only relevant card, it was very wide and perfectly clear. No, he wasn't the Ali of other times. I can't really think of a case for any Ali being an Ali of other times. He was definitively and definitely the Ali of that time. Still great, not peak.