Ali vs Frazier

[DanielTurcotte3]

Just so happens Im watching the fight...Ali-Frazier 1...in my opinion the fight of the century, salthough u can make a case for such fights (because the of time during which the fight took place...politics playing a huge role in such fights) as Joe Louis vs Max Smelling and Jack Johnson vs Jim Jeffries. With two best heavyweights at the time both undefeating fighting each other after Ali came out of prison. Where does this fight rank on all time list of fights? Is this indeed not only the biggest...but the Greatest prize fight of all time?

[KingTito]

It's certainly up there. As far as importance to society, I'd probably say that Louis-Schmeling was bigger. The one thing with Ali-Frazier though is that no war was more openly protested than the Vietnam War, not only with young America, but with the Civil Rights movement as well. Both fights definately had strong feeling that it was more than just a fight.

Ali and Frazier was very important though with Ali being labeled anti-war, and Joe, by default, being labeled pro-war and on the side of big business and what not, even though it wasn't his choice. He was just Ali's opponent. Not to mention, Ali's antics before the fight escalated matters even more.

With Louis-Schmeling however, you have these two champions, and keep in mind, both Joe and Max were from the two countries at war, whereas Ali and Frazier were both from the U.S.A. With the rise of Hitler and **** Germany this fight had massive society implications. The entire U.S. was behind Louis whereas with Ali and Frazier they were split. Some were for Ali and some were for Frazier, whereas Louis and Schmeling each represented an entire nation. The thing with Louis is that he had all of America, regardless of race, behind him at a time when race was a very hot issue. Segregation was still around, and equality was basically nonexistent, and for one night, the entire nation was united. Both were very important, and it's hard to take one over the other, but I'd lean towards Louis-Schmeling.

Let's not forget Jack Johnson, like you said, with the entire nation against him it seemed, and he relished in it. That was obviously a huge issue. He made it worse for white America with him having affairs with white women in the public eye, but that really became an issue after he was champion.

[Scott9945]

When I consider every aspect of what makes a great fight, I always have Frazier-Ali I first on my list.

[KingTito]

As far as the fight goes, I think Ali-Frazier is the best of those fights, and one of the best of all time.

[Silencers]

I always considered the thrid fight better but the first one was definitely more important because of reasons alreay mentioned.

[duffgun]

Ali Frazier 1 and 3 where very good fights, There are many other heavyweight fights that where as good and maybe a few that where better but where not as important as these 2 fights.
Johnson Vs Jeffries was probably the most important fight people where actually killed because of the outcome of that fight.

[aussieboxer2320]

gatti vs ward 1 was the most exciting fight i have ever seen, second most exciting is hagler vs hearns and 3 is castillo vs corrales 1 ,most dramatic would have to be rumble in the jungle cos there was such a build up and the best display of all round boxing skill was sugar ray robinson vs jake la motta 1

[LondonRingRules]

With Louis-Schmeling however, you have these two champions, and keep in mind, both Joe and Max were from the two countries at war

** Both fights held well before WW2 broke out.

Ali/Frazier one of the greatest heavy fights from the perspective combining drama, ebb and flow, prime ages, talent, skills with both fighters having legit claims to the title and undefeated records.