The Fight Of The Century was the best of the Ali-Fraizer trilogy

As great as the first fight was, it was tinged by the lasting effects of Ali's three year layoff. He had only two tuneup fights (Quarry and Bonavena) and was still not ready for the likes of Frazier. It gave Ali a built in excuse and a forever "what if". It would have been a better, more honest evaluation of the two men had Ali had five tuneup fights and then fought Joe. But, Ali needed the money, and I believe they were still afraid of Ali's license being pulled.

 

I don't agree with this. If anything Ali was the most vilified athletic in the country at this time, and most of the main stream media here hated him with a passion. And still some hate him to this day for his stance on the war. But the fight itself was indeed the F.O.T.C. And better then Manila because both fighters were closer to their peak. What I think has happened is simply the fight is closer to this time. For example, which would you remember best the 2014 superbowl or the 2010?

 

This is true.

 

I agree it was the best of the 3, Joe was at his peak, Ali near.
The only thing I disagree with is Joe's singing.he wasn't that bad and better than Ali who ruined one of Sam Cookes numbers.

 

I think both men were n't bad at singing. Ali did a passable version of Stand By Me and Frazier did the same with Soul Man.

 

Yes, I don't think the Thrilla was all that close, either. But I also think that it was the only fight of the trilogy that Ali won. The second fight was a mess, Ali holding all night long. This fight proved nothing. It certainly didn't make up for the beating Ali took in FOTC.

 

Ali definitely lost the bout in 1971 although he proclaimed for years after that he was robbed. Ali on the other hand won their second bout. The third fight was a close affair if you score it fairly. I had it even after 10 and gave Joe the 11th. 12th was close but Ali ran away with the last two. Interesting that the 11th round in both their first and last fight was such a pivotal round. If you watch the 11th round of the third bout Joe hurts Ali with a short inside hook mid way through the round. The announcers from ringside don't mention it but Ali it appeared was out on his feet from the blow. Incredibly after holding Joe for dear life he breaks and fires both hands making what was a solid Frazier round close to score.

 

Deep down,though,Muhammad accepted that Joe was the worthy winner on that night. Anything else was promotion for a rematch.

 

Even with Muhammad's excessive clinching he was declared the rightful winner in fight no.2. He still landed the most clean shots.

 

You have admire Ali for coming off a three year layoff and taking on the #1 ranked contender. I mis-used the phrase "tune up" when referring to Quarry and Bonavena. They were both far more than tune ups, they were legitimate top ranked men.

 

The two bouts prior to meeting Frazier in 71 were indeed tune up bouts for his fight with Frazier. They just happen to be bouts against two top contenders.

If you look at the three fight series Ali was the only one to score a stoppage and this along with a 2-1 series advantage gives Ali the nod. He proved he was the greater fighter. I say this and I rooted for Joe as I watched all three bouts as they happened. You must give Ali his due. His performance in Manilia is the type of fight that makes an ATG fighter. Adverse conditions, a top rated determined opponent and coming back when it looked like Frazier was surging to victory.

Finally Ali post his 3-4 year hiatus was not the same fighter that he was prior. He lost some of his speed, certainly less able to move as well/quickly and his endurance was not what it was. In his prime his legs alone were enough to carry him away from trouble. You saw much less of this post hiatus.

 

I agree Burt...Saw it on closed circuit back in '71...it is still the biggest fight in my lifetime...I was born in the 1950's. Nothing has come close...people who wouldn't know Joe Louis from Joe Frazier were talking about the fight...it was on everyone's lips. Front page news everywhere. News networks were breaking in with bulletins announcing the winner. You're right about Frazier...he left everything in the ring that night against Ali. He was never the same again.