And one day, everyone will concede that the first fight was the best. What were 'Boxing News' thinking?
Depends what is meant by 'best'. Fight one was the 'bigger' bout, had more quality and did not lack for excitement; but fight three was more intense and eventful.
This is a reach on your part. He was stunned sure but Frazier probably wasnt going to go down never mind out. Ali never had him down in 41 rounds of fighting but all of a sudden he had him there. :-( Doubtful.
From where this guy's sitting, the first fight was more competitive with greater showings of skill, and it's the more historically significant contest. They're pretty hefty factors. Admittedly, their rubber match has something eerie about it; two jaded warriors all but killing each other. And then there's the compassionate curtain call. However, the Thrilla feels like an epilogue to Super-Fight - stirring, nostalgic even, but the real story came before.
Frazier didn't have the same firepower in fight 3 that he had in fight 1. In the 1971 fight, Frazier looked very powerful and his punches had a lot of snap on them. In Manilla, his punches didn't move Ali like they did earlier, and Ali's size seemed to trouble Joe more than it did in the first fight.
After a fight like Muhammad and Joe gave us,at the age they were,you just KNEW that it was for the last time.
Ali showed more skill in Manilla. He was quicker in FOTC, but fought like an idiot for large parts. In Manilla he fought like a pro the whole way through. He showed much more savvy and pro skill. Joe was better in FOTC, though.
Form wise,this is how I assess both men in the order of the three fights - Ali Fight number II Fight number I Fight number III Frazier Fight number I Fight number III Fight number II
Ali was the favorite. Boxing illustrated had an excellent analysis comparing each fighter category by category. Frazier was given higher marks for his newly developed right hand that he exhibited during his recent bouts with Ells and Quarry. Ali of course w as given the typical high marks for his speed and boxing ability as well as improved power in his right hand. They called the fight for Ali either by 15 round decision or late round stoppage. This was the most anticipated bout in the hwt division in quite a while. If you really watch this bout Ali wins four of the first five rounds and Frazier does the same the next five. Now if you watch the 11th Frazier seriously hurts Ali. Ali is so good at hiding when he is hurt but what you see in a short inside hook and Ali immediately holds and won't let go. Frazier then attacks Ali whose hands drop as Joe tees off on him with both hands barely missing two winging left and right punches. I gave this round to Frazier. The 12th went to Ali so in my book the fight is even after 12. Ali of course comes on strong in the last two rounds and Frazier can't respond.