The Background of the Fight
In 1975, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were two of the most iconic boxers in the world. Both had been world champions, and they had already fought twice before. The first fight, known as the Fight of the Century, took place in 1971 and saw Frazier win by unanimous decision. The second fight, in 1974, saw Ali win by unanimous decision.
The Fight in Manila
The Thrilla in Manila, as it was dubbed by the New York Times, took place on October 1, 1975, in Manila, Philippines. The fight was billed as the biggest and most significant fight in boxing history. It was a fight between two giants of the sport, and it was expected to be a brutal and grueling battle.
The First Half of the Fight
The fight started off with both Ali and Frazier exchanging punches. Frazier was the aggressor, constantly moving forward and throwing powerful left hooks. Ali, on the other hand, was using his quick footwork to avoid Frazier’s punches and counter with his own jabs and hooks.
The Turning Point
As the fight progressed, Ali started to take control. He began to land more punches and was able to avoid Frazier’s hooks with ease. By the end of the 10th round, Frazier’s left eye was almost completely closed, and he was having trouble seeing Ali’s punches.
The 14th Round
The 14th round was one of the most brutal in boxing history. Both Ali and Frazier were exhausted, but they continued to fight. Frazier landed several powerful left hooks, but Ali was able to counter with his own punches. By the end of the round, both fighters were completely spent.
The End of the Fight
After the 14th round, Frazier’s trainer, Eddie Futch, decided to stop the fight. Frazier was unable to see out of his left eye, and he was taking too much punishment from Ali. It was a controversial decision, but Futch knew that Frazier’s health was more important than the fight.
The Aftermath
The Thrilla in Manila was one of the most significant fights in boxing history. It was a fight between two legends of the sport, and it lived up to all the hype. Although Ali won the fight, both fighters left everything in the ring, and they earned each other’s respect.
Conclusion
The Thrilla in Manila was a historic moment in boxing. It was a fight between two legends of the sport, and it lived up to all the hype. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier both gave everything they had, and they left everything in the ring. It was a brutal and grueling battle, but it was also a testament to the power and beauty of the sport of boxing.