The best fight from the trilogy Ali vs. Frazier

[Duch]

I think it's really a choice between the 1st one and the last one but I put the 2nd one as well.

[yancey]

It is not a choice at all.

The FOTC was easily the best fight as both men were nearest their actual peak.

The FOTC also had far and away the biggest build up. Both Frazier and Ali knew it was

The Big One.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

The third fight was awesome, but I'll take them when they met at their best. Similar to Hearns/Leonard.

[Nile4000]

First fight.Third fight somewhat overrated.

[Jaywheel]

First one.

[Duch]

The one where Muhammad Ali loses.................

Did 'Smokin Joe' put a punctuation mark at the end of that fight or what........

If Muhammad had lost in his 3rd fight and had won in his 1st, would you choose the 3rd fight instead of the 1st?
Not assuming that the judges voted not fair and everything else would be the same but assuming that they both could give a fantastic and brilliant first fight when they were closer to their peaks but somehow Ali was better, faster and more accurate (but still Frazier would be great) and e.g. that they could continue the Thrilla in Manilla and Ali could be stopped by Frazier in the 15th round.

[yancey]

It's always the 'First One'.

* We were both young, handsome and undefeated.
* Somebody had to win, somebody had to lose.
* One was the Warrior, and they other got 'slayed'.

[BoxBuzz]

The one where Muhammad Ali loses.................

Did 'Smokin Joe' put a punctuation mark at the end of that fight or what........

By forcing Ali to bounce back up (greatest recovery of all time) and then commit to a 2 fight rally? I suppose so.

[BoxBuzz]

Seriously? What wise guy voted for the second fight?

Not a bad fight mind you. But not the best of three at all.

First one only really.

[gilgamesh]

I absolutely love the FOTC and The Thrilla, but I'll probably say the 1st one was better. Both were epic fights though. They were closer to their respective peaks in the 1st bout, but the third bout seemed the most grueling and hard on both men of the bunch.

[Duch]

Seriously? What wise guy voted for the second fight?

Not a bad fight mind you. But not the best of three at all.

First one only really.

Now two votes for the 2nd fight and it's equal with the 3rd fight.

I also voted for the 1st fight but I can understand people who choose Thrilla in Manilla (from different reasons of course).
For me it's I > III > II

[Duch]

Joe Frazier

"Everybody knew that the 1st-Bout was the most important fight in Boxing History."

I guess he never said that?

[hhaehre]

Joe Frazier

"Everybody knew that the 1st-Bout was the most important fight in Boxing History."

I guess he never said that?

"Yes, I did in fact say that" - Joe Frazier
"It's true, he really did say it" - Muhammad Ali
"I heard him say it too" - Martin Luther King Jr.
"Damn right he did" - Gandhi

[Duch]

Why Il Duce's BS is still tolerated by moderators?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

2 votes for the holdathon? Must be from Wlad fans.

[BoxBuzz]

Why Il Duce's BS is still tolerated by moderators?

Because he gives YOU the average "Joe"....a chance to use your critical thinking, and decide for yourself...what is real, and what is well.....less real or alternate universe real...and such.

Fiction has not been banned, and critical thinking is not illegal.

If you think that everyone who posts here is posting the gospel.....well, it aint so. And though he's a bit more creative than much of what goes on here, his nonsense is not been proven to be dangerous. And as long as he does not take aim at a non public figure....(such as you and me) he's not breaking any rule...(other than the rule of thumb "thou shalt not be a twit) And after doing the research we have not recorded a single fatality thus far.

The plurality opinion is that he is tripe, a strong minority hold fast to the idea that he is simply mutton, and can apparently stomach him, and another minority holds the notion that he is irrelevant and simply bypass his contributions.

[yancey]

Why Il Duce's BS is still tolerated by moderators?

Because he gives YOU the average "Joe"....a chance to use your critical thinking, and decide for yourself...what is real, and what is well.....less real or alternate universe real...and such.

Fiction has not been banned, and critical thinking is not illegal.

If you think that everyone who posts here is posting the gospel.....well, it aint so. And though he's a bit more creative than much of what goes on here, his nonsense is not been proven to be dangerous. And as long as he does not take aim at a non public figure....(such as you and me) he's not breaking any rule...(other than the rule of thumb "thou shalt not be a twit) And after doing the research we have not recorded a single fatality thus far.

The plurality opinion is that he is tripe, a strong minority hold fast to the idea that he is simply mutton, and can apparently stomach him, and another minority holds the notion that he is irrelevant and simply bypass his contributions.

I must have missed the election.

[elmersalsa]

The 1st fight was probably the greatest fight ever. At least, it was the most anticipated fight of all time. The Fight of the Century of 1971 lived up to the hype.

It is clearly a top 3 fight of all time.

[yancey]

Smokin Joe Frazier

"People forget, that Muhammad Ali had last lost in 1960 to Percy Price. That's 11 years of him laughing at his opponents."

"I just have one thing to say....... Ha Ha Ha."

One of the greatest SI covers.

The photo of Frazier shouts out "warrior" to me.

[tiny_acres]

Joe Frazier

"Everybody knew that the 1st-Bout was the most important fight in Boxing History."

I guess he never said that?

"Yes, I did in fact say that" - Joe Frazier
"It's true, he really did say it" - Muhammad Ali
"I heard him say it too" - Martin Luther King Jr.
"Damn right he did" - Gandhi

classic

[dempseyfire]

First fight clearly. Third fight a great fight but not one of the top 5 greatest HW fights, or probably fight in any weight class, the first fight was.

The 2nd is the worst but I will say this . . .I used to think it was a pretty bad fight. Then after many years I re-watched it recently and it's a pretty good scrap. It pales by its comparisons to the other two, but taken on its own it's an excellent boxing match. And as bad as Ali's holding is in it, it still is nothing compared to what Clinchko displayed vs Povetkin.

[Syntax Error]

I'd say the third one because both men suddenly realised how great the other one was & nearly expired trying to beat each other.

[scallum]

Take away the first fight how does Frazier resume look? Did he beat any other Champions or former Champions?

[Ambling Alp II]

It's pretty good.
He beat WBA champion Jimmy Ellis and light heavyweight champion Bob Foster. Also beat Ellis later, and Quarry twice, and Bonavena, Bugner and Mathis. Lost to Ali twice and Foreman twice. Never fought Patterson, Shavers, Young, Lyle, or Norton.

[yancey]

I'd say the third one because both men suddenly realised how great the other one was & nearly expired trying to beat each other.

So it took until the third fight for each to suddenly figure out how great the other was, eh?

Is that your take?

Uh, reality calling.

Both men knew the other was great PRIOR to their first fight. If anyone says different, it is bull crap.