10 Reasons Why Muhammad Ali Really Was The Greatest
4. If God Ever Calls Me To A Holy War, I Want Joe Frazier Fighting Beside Me
In Ali’s absence, a new champion emerged; one who would come to define Ali’s life as much as any of his opponents. Or anyone else, for that matter.
In the year Muhammad Ali won the heavyweight championship, Joe Frazier emerged from the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo as his heavyweight gold medallist successor, and quickly turned his attention to the professional ranks. By the time Ali’s boxing license was restored in 1970, Frazier was the division’s new ruler, but he knew he would only truly be thought of as such by facing and beating Ali.
The Fight, or Fight of the Century, as it became known, was on.
Ali vs. Frazier, which took place in Madison Square Garden on 8 March, 1971, was boxing at its finest; the maestro against the slugger. Ali made a fast start that night and was still quick on his feet and the draw, but not like before. His preternatural reflexes a shade dimmed, his fighting heart came to the fore as Frazier ripped signature left hooks to head and body.
Come the fifteenth round, Ali was behind on points, and any hope that remained was extinguished when Frazier unleashed a savage howitzer of a left hook square on that busy jaw.
Ali was down. Ali got up.
Frazier was the winner by unanimous decision, but Ali proved he had tremendous courage to go with his outlandish skill. He would need both again soon enough.