Ali vs. Frazier: Death's Door in Manila

On September 30, 1975, boxing history was made when "The Thrilla in Manila" took place at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines. This epic bout was the third and final match between two of the greatest boxers of all time: Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

The fight was a culmination of a fierce rivalry between the two boxers, who had previously faced each other twice. In their first encounter, dubbed "The Fight of the Century" in 1971, Frazier handed Ali his first professional loss. Ali avenged this defeat in their second fight, "Super Fight II," in 1974.

The stage was set for an intense rubber match in the Philippines. The fight was scheduled for 15 rounds, and it lived up to its billing as one of the most brutal and thrilling boxing matches ever witnessed.

From the opening bell, both fighters exchanged heavy blows, with each man determined to prove his superiority. The heat and humidity in the arena were stifling, adding to the physical strain on the boxers.

As the fight progressed, Ali began to take control, using his superior speed and reach to land punishing combinations on Frazier. However, Frazier refused to back down, constantly pressuring Ali and landing his signature left hook.

The turning point came in the 13th round when Ali unleashed a flurry of punches that left Frazier's face swollen and his vision impaired. Frazier's trainer, Eddie Futch, decided to stop the fight before the start of the 15th round, concerned for his fighter's well-being.

Muhammad Ali emerged victorious, cementing his status as one of the greatest boxers of all time. The fight, however, had taken a tremendous toll on both men. Ali later described the match as the closest thing to death he had ever experienced.

"The Thrilla in Manila" is regarded as one of the greatest fights in boxing history, a testament to the skill, courage, and determination of both Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The fight also symbolized the intense physical and mental battles that athletes endure in pursuit of greatness, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sports.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI