I would be very biased, because I was there at the "Thrilla in Manila"
and have witnessed the 14 round war with my own two eyes...
That's awesome.
I heard that because of the heat, it wasn't the most pleasant viewing experience though.
Fight of the century no doubt, they were much closer to their primes and the quality of fighting was better, it was more action packed. I have yet to see a better heavyweight fight that Fight of the Century
Def the third one, one thing you can see tho compared to pre banned Ali, he used to be in better condition, quicker on his feet and in the ring. cant help but think he would have won the first fight has he been at his best
Definitely Thrilla in Manilla.
I just watched the Doc "The Closest Thing to Dying" about the the 3rd fight and its simply a classic
From a thought to be "shot" Frazier to him being blind in 1 eye, to the 113 degree weather in Manilla and to the simple hatred between these 2 guys. Not to mention the flat out war, where it was a miracle how either fighter was standing
can you post a link of that DOC?
I was to young back then to care about boxing, but I do remember all the comotion going on in Manila, everything and everyone's focus is on the fight, radio, TV, any man on the street you will hear them talking about ali and fraizer, as I grew older and my dad watching replays of fights of Ali, Foreman and Fraizer telling me stories about them I just realized what "Thrilla in Manila" was all about ...
i'm jealous.
I just turned 15 a week before the fight and my mom gave me a nosebleed ticket as my birthday gift. The sweet science of boxing got me hooked early in life when a boxer moved in in our neighborhood back in the late 60s. He became a world champ a couple of years later and fought the best there is in his division. He fought the likes of Susumu Hanagata, Betulio Gonzalez, Venice Borkhorsor and the likes. He's Erbito "Eddie" Salavarria...
Truly a fight of the century
RIP Joe Frazier.
Which was the better of these two classics?
I just watched the highlights of the first fight from your link, because I already saw "Thrilla in Manila" when I was kid.
Those guys were throwing bombs, ducking, weaving, jabbing. That was a really good fight. What a contrast from the heavyweight fights today.
Both such amazing fights...man I hadn't watched these clips for a good number of months and watching them now reminds me why I love this sport. Ali at the beginning of FOTC was beating Joe but he got tired and couldn't continue it, theres no doubt in my mind that the Ali of the 60's could have kept up that pace throughout the fight. Ali was past his best in the first fight and Frazier was in his prime. In the Thrilla in Manilla both fighters were past there best but gave it their all and left it all in the ring that night. It was just a brawl.
There's no denying the Thrilla had more of a personal stake, and they did far more damage to each other.
I like the Fight of the Century more though. They were both at such high skill levels that night, and fought so incredibly. They were both better in that fight than they were in the third fight. Also, Frazier won. :boxing:
Definitely Thrilla in Manilla.
I just watched the Doc "The Closest Thing to Dying" about the the 3rd fight and its simply a classic
From a thought to be "shot" Frazier to him being blind in 1 eye, to the 113 degree weather in Manilla and to the simple hatred between these 2 guys. Not to mention the flat out war, where it was a miracle how either fighter was standing
if Eddie Futch has decided to let the fight continue, Joe could've survived or Ali will eventually gave up
but then Joe would've had permanent damage to his eye, not that it matters is what Joe said afterwards
RIP Joe
Definitely Thrilla in Manilla.
I just watched the Doc "The Closest Thing to Dying" about the the 3rd fight and its simply a classic
From a thought to be "shot" Frazier to him being blind in 1 eye, to the 113 degree weather in Manilla and to the simple hatred between these 2 guys. Not to mention the flat out war, where it was a miracle how either fighter was standing