Now I know Frazier spent more time in the hospital, but some of that was because of blood pressure issue and other chemical imbalances in his body. I'm only looking for who you think took the most physical punishment that night iyo. Obviously Fraizer won, so I'm not looking for, well Fraizer won so of course I'd rather be him.
I wasn't alive when it happened, but I know some people who were. The buzz, suspense, and political back drop at the time must have made it extra hard on the loser.
For a period of time post-fight, Ali didn't give Frazier credit for winning the fight. Such as on his commentating on replays & such. (Wide World of Sports with Cosell, reporters, etc). Ali should have just said, "Frazier won...let's do a rematch.". When in fact, Ali said pre-fight No.1, "If Frazier was to win the fight, he (Ali) would crawl across the ring, look up at Joe, and tell Joe he is "The Greatest". Frazier of course told Ali in the ring after the decision was announced, "No one needs to do any crawling tonite".
I'd say Ali ,Frazier was on fire that night. Joe of course had his own after fight injuries but he had the knowledge he'd won to keep him going .Ali had to get his head round the fact Frazier kicked his ass as well as his battered body .
frazier, even though it dont appear it in the short run. ali went on to get parkinsonians a few years later, living hell compared to mere diabetes and I'm guessing alcoholism(?) wth joe. though interestingly, they both caused their own damages that they could have avoided, likely. thats men 4 u.
