This summer we look forward to some big fights, its exciting for every boxing fan to witness masters of our time enter the ring and do what they do best. Legends like Bernard Hopkins will take on Chad Dawson, former Pound for Pound king Manny Pacqiuao will look to over come rising star Timothy Bradley and Unbeaten Floyd Mayweather will be trying to defend his crown against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.
Just 3 fights that im sure will capture the Boxing nation,
but I want to take this chance to recall what is regarded as the greatest fight
ever, a match that had even excelled the initial expectations, what other than
the ‘Fight of the Century’ between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
When ever people ask why I have the passion for this sport
or how I can watch a sport that is considered barbaric, I would simply say
because it is a true art form that needs to be watched to be admired. And if
there was one fight that would summarise why this sport is still so popular, so
renowned and has captured the hearts of so many fight fans, it would be this
classic encounter.
The date had been set, March 8th 1971, the venue was
what many consider the home of Boxing, Madison Square Garden and the 2 men
entering the ring were unbeaten.
Muhammad Ali entered the fight 31-0 and after beating the
likes of Sonny Liston, Floyd Paterson, Ali had established himself as a true
Champion and was on a path back from having his Licence stripped due to refusal
to join the Vietnam
war. Frazier had become World Champion after beating Jimmy Ellis and was now
ready for the biggest test of his career as he defended both WBC and WBA
titles.
The Garden was a sell out, it was the hottest ticket in town
and had celebrities falling over themselves trying to get a seat. Famously it
was Frank Sinatra that couldn’t get a ringside ticket so dressed as a camera
man and took photos for Life Magazine.
America was divided, people either supported Muhammad Ali
and the Anti-Establishment movement Ali had created, or you would be Pro- War
and be in the corner of Frazier, what ever side people were on they were to
witness one of the greatest matches they would ever remember.
From the opening bell Ali would skip his way around the
ring, with lightning fast feet and punches to match, he firmly took his place
and dominated the opening round’s. But it was in round 4 where Frazier took his
place as a true Champion and hit Ali with some Jabs, Straights and Deadly Hooks
that would turn the tide in his favour. As the fight entered the middle few
rounds Ali was till in the fight but started to tire, it was anybody’s call at
this point and both fighters worthy of winning this fight. The Major turning
point in this fight was in round 11 as Ali tasted the left glove of Frazier, it
was a signature shot from Frazier and one that Ali would have been aware of
going into the bout, but the only thing keeping him from hitting the canvas was
the ropes, and even though Ali got through the round it was clear he was hurt.
As both fighters entered round 15 people could sense that the
fight was leaning in Frazier’s favour, it would take 1 last stand out shot from
either man to get the judges on their side and it would be ‘Smokin Joe’ that
landed that shot.
For only the 3rd time in Ali’s career he found
himself on his back as Frazier landed another left hook that looked as if it
should have removed Ali’s head. The young challenger from Kentucky got back to his feet and continued
to fight his way through terrific shots from the Champion.
As the final bell rang the judges would announce that
Frazier had retained his title and Ali would come away with a Swollen and
Battered Jaw. It had people talking as soon as they had left the arena, had
Frazier only won because Ali had just come back from his suspension and was not
at full fitness, had Frazier died in hospital the evening of the fight. Either way,
one thing everyone who has ever witnessed this fight can agree on, is that it
stands above all other bouts as the greatest fight in the history of the sport.
I have watched this match on many occasions and it gets better every time, and I
sometimes wonder if the people watching that fight, weather they were at home
in the streets or in the Garden itself knew that they were going to witness the
‘Fight of the Century’
RIP ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier 1944-2011, One of my all time Favourite
Boxers
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