I think these are the two most exciting trilogies in Heavyweight history. So which do you feel is more exciting and why? I pick Holy v. Bowe .... everything else considered, the Fan Man puts them over the top.
I just watched Thrilla in Manilla today and **** that was a brutal fight. I'd put them about even, with the edge to Ali-Frazier.
Ali/Frazier was the overall more exciting trilogy. I do like the point about Fan Man being brought up - because that was entirely insane! But, on a punch for punch and round for round basis, the first and third Ali/Fraziers fights were as brutal and epic as the first and best of the Bowe/Holyfield fights - not to mention that they were also fought as fifteen rounders (with the third ending in the fourteenth.) Ali/Frazier edges it out, but if you asked me to find a third great heavyweight trilogy from recent years that is as exciting as the Ali/Frazier or Holyfield/Bowe fights, I would be hard pressed to name them.
In historical perspective, Ali-Frazier wins. But in terms of pure action, Bowe-Holyfield clearly for me. Even the most action packed among Ali-Frazier trilogy (Thrilla in Manila) bores me due to Ali's constant holding.
I prefer Bowe-Holyfield for consistent action. It had 3 excellent fights. Ali-Frazier had two classics, but the 2nd fight was a stinky clinch fest.
In historical perspective Holyfield v. Bowe is just as significant as Ali v Frazier. The 1st 2 fights of each trilogy were both huge heavyweight title fights and the 3rd weren't even for a title. Holyfield v Bowe has more consistent back and forth action throughout the trilogy though ........ plus Fan Man:good
