BoxRec

Muhammad Ali is no longer with us but on this day 41 years ago, he showed why he will always be the greatest boxer. Coming up against Joe Frazier in their third meeting, plenty was at stake with the world heavyweight belt on the line.

The 25,000 who crammed into Manila’s Philippine Coliseum were in for a treat as both boxers showcased their extraordinary talent in what promised to be a fascinating battle.

Ali’s longer reach gave ‘Smokin’ Joe problems but the champion’s 15 block busting blows inside 45 seconds in the 14th round ultimately saw Frazier’s trainer, Eddie Futch, call time. Ali, who retained his belt, lauded his opponent by saying “He’s a real, real fighter.”

Here’s other memorable sporting events that happened on this day:

1998: Ex-Arsenal boss George Graham becomes the new manager of Tottenham.

2000: Boxer Audley Harrison wins Great Britain’s 10th gold medal of the Sydney Olympics.

2005: Former New Zealand wing Jonah Lomu signs for Cardiff Blues.

2012: Defending champions England are knocked out of the World T20 after 19-run defeat to hosts Sri Lanka in their Super Eight match in Pallekele.

One of the best heavyweight title fights - ever!

Frazier was done as a boxer before this fight... He was running on fumes and Ali knew it.. Ali's plan was to exhaust Frazier completely and attack him savagely when he was totally helpless.. That's just what Ali did in the 14th but Eddie Futch refused to let Frazier come out for the last round.. When I watched this fight I really didn't think it was anything but Frazier fizzling out.. He was in pretty deplorable physical condition with an enlarged heart, high blood pressure, and fat as Hell.. He couldn't get into condition.. I didn't think he'd go the distance and he didn't.

Kalan wrote:Frazier was done as a boxer before this fight... He was running on fumes and Ali knew it.. Ali's plan was to exhaust Frazier completely and attack him savagely when he was totally helpless.. That's just what Ali did in the 14th but Eddie Futch refused to let Frazier come out for the last round.. When I watched this fight I really didn't think it was anything but Frazier fizzling out.. He was in pretty deplorable physical condition with an enlarged heart, high blood pressure, and fat as Hell.. He couldn't get into condition.. I didn't think he'd go the distance and he didn't.

Are you calling the fight 'a stinker' ? - Doesn't like everyone in boxing think differently? - Harsh statement to make about that fight.

SteveO wrote:One of the best heavyweight title fights - ever!

So true and this unbelievable fight its what legend's are made from

Kalan wrote:Frazier was done as a boxer before this fight... He was running on fumes and Ali knew it.. Ali's plan was to exhaust Frazier completely and attack him savagely when he was totally helpless.. That's just what Ali did in the 14th but Eddie Futch refused to let Frazier come out for the last round.. When I watched this fight I really didn't think it was anything but Frazier fizzling out.. He was in pretty deplorable physical condition with an enlarged heart, high blood pressure, and fat as Hell.. He couldn't get into condition.. I didn't think he'd go the distance and he didn't.

Kalan wtf. Where did you get this information from? The fight was competitive and far from someone lethargically gassing out while their opponent bounds around them exerting minimal energy. Ali said himself he was closest to death after/during that fight in terms of exhaustion. Where does the blood pressure and enlarged heart information come from?