Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali (1st meeting) - Revision history

Ric: external article linked

2025-05-19T20:55:52Z

external article linked

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:55, 19 May 2025
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	*[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (3rd meeting)]]		*[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (3rd meeting)]]
	*[[The 100 Greatest Title Fights of All-Time]]		*[[The 100 Greatest Title Fights of All-Time]]
			*Articles reprinted in [[IBRO Journal]] No. 149: [https://ibroresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IBRO149.29-38.pdf]

Artur128: /* Notes */

2023-10-01T10:17:42Z

Notes

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	== Notes ==		== Notes ==
	[[file:Frazier hooks Ali.jpg\|right\|350px]]		[[file:Frazier hooks Ali.jpg\|right\|350px]]
			*Bout official on December 30, 1970.
	*"Fight of the Century" was the promotional nickname given to this first match between champion [[Joe Frazier]] (26-0, 23 [[KO]]s) and challenger [[Muhammad Ali]] (31-0, 26 KOs), held on March 8, 1971 at New York's [[Madison Square Garden]].		*"Fight of the Century" was the promotional nickname given to this first match between champion [[Joe Frazier]] (26-0, 23 [[KO]]s) and challenger [[Muhammad Ali]] (31-0, 26 KOs), held on March 8, 1971 at New York's [[Madison Square Garden]].
	*The term "[[The Fight of the Century\|Fight of the Century]]" had been used three times before. [http://www.boxing.com/fights_of_the_centurythenand_now.html]		*The term "[[The Fight of the Century\|Fight of the Century]]" had been used three times before. [http://www.boxing.com/fights_of_the_centurythenand_now.html]

Slugger at 02:58, 11 March 2020

2020-03-11T02:58:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:58, 11 March 2020
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	*Unofficial AP scorecard: 9-5-1 Frazier.		*Unofficial AP scorecard: 9-5-1 Frazier.
	*Unofficial UPI scorecard: 7-7-1 Draw.		*Unofficial UPI scorecard: 7-7-1 Draw.
	*[[:File:Ali-Frazier1poster.JPG\|Poster #1]], [[:File:1971-03-08 - Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali (poster).jpg\|Poster #2]]		*[[:File:Ali-Frazier1poster.JPG\|Poster #1]], [[:File:1971-03-08 - Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali (poster).jpg\|Poster #2]], [[:File:1971-03-08 - Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali (Poster).jpg\|Poster #3]].

	== Quotes ==		== Quotes ==

Slugger at 16:28, 1 February 2019

2019-02-01T16:28:08Z

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	[[file:Frazier drops Ali.jpg\|right\|400px\|thumb\|Joe Frazier drops Muhammad Ali in the 15th round]]		[[file:Frazier drops Ali.jpg\|right\|400px\|thumb\|Joe Frazier drops Muhammad Ali in the 15th round]]
	<fight>17957</fight>		<fight>17957</fight>
	*'''[[~~World Boxing Council~~]] Heavyweight Title''' (~~second~~ defense by Frazier)		*'''[[WBC]] World Heavyweight Title''' (2nd defense by Frazier)
	*'''[[~~World Boxing Association~~]] Heavyweight Title''' (~~second~~ defense by Frazier)		*'''[[WBA]] World Heavyweight Title''' (2nd defense by Frazier)
	*'''Promoter:''' [[Jerry Perenchio]]		*'''Promoter:''' [[Jerry Perenchio]]
	*'''Ring Announcer:''' [[Johnny Addie]]		*'''Ring Announcer:''' [[Johnny Addie]]
	*[[:File:Ali-Frazier1poster.JPG\|'''Onsite Poster''']]
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

	'''''Fight of the Century''''' was the promotional nickname given to this first match between champion [[Joe Frazier]] (26-0, 23 [[KO]]s) and challenger [[Muhammad Ali]] (31-0, 26 KOs), held on March 8, 1971 at New York's [[Madison Square Garden]].

	== Buildup and media coverage ==		== Buildup and media coverage ==
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	== Importance and Predictions ==		== Importance and Predictions ==

	The fight itself became something of a symbol of the country. Leading up to the fight, Ali (who had denounced the Vietnam War) became a symbol of the anti-establishment movement. Meanwhile, Frazier became a symbol of the conservative, pro-war movement. In his autobiography, Frazier acknowledged that while he got an exemption from serving in Vietnam because he had a wife and kids, he would have had no problem serving his country had he been drafted, as it had been so good to him.		The fight itself became something of a symbol of the country. Leading up to the fight, Ali (who had denounced the Vietnam War) became a symbol of the anti-establishment movement. Meanwhile, Frazier became a symbol of the conservative, pro-war movement. In his autobiography, Frazier acknowledged that while he got an exemption from serving in Vietnam because he had a wife and kids, he would have had no problem serving his country had he been drafted, as it had been so good to him.

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	Ali and Frazier fought twice more, with Ali winning both encounters. The last of these was the 1975 ''[[Thrilla in Manila]]'', which, like the first bout, won [[Ring Magazine Fight of the Year\|''The Ring'' Fight of the Year]] award and many other honors. Some consider it even greater than the first fight.		Ali and Frazier fought twice more, with Ali winning both encounters. The last of these was the 1975 ''[[Thrilla in Manila]]'', which, like the first bout, won [[Ring Magazine Fight of the Year\|''The Ring'' Fight of the Year]] award and many other honors. Some consider it even greater than the first fight.

	==Notes==		== Notes ==
	[[file:Frazier hooks Ali.jpg\|right\|350px]]		[[file:Frazier hooks Ali.jpg\|right\|350px]]
			*"Fight of the Century" was the promotional nickname given to this first match between champion [[Joe Frazier]] (26-0, 23 [[KO]]s) and challenger [[Muhammad Ali]] (31-0, 26 KOs), held on March 8, 1971 at New York's [[Madison Square Garden]].
			*The term "[[The Fight of the Century\|Fight of the Century]]" had been used three times before. [http://www.boxing.com/fights_of_the_centurythenand_now.html]
	*Both Ali and Frazier are in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].		*Both Ali and Frazier are in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].
	*The term "[[The Fight of the Century\|Fight of the Century]]" had been used three times before. [http://www.boxing.com/fights_of_the_centurythenand_now.html]		*Unofficial AP scorecard: 9-5-1 Frazier.
	*Unofficial AP scorecard: 9-5-1 Frazier		*Unofficial UPI scorecard: 7-7-1 Draw.
	*Unofficial UPI scorecard: 7-7-1 Draw		*[[:File:Ali-Frazier1poster.JPG\|Poster #1]], [[:File:1971-03-08 - Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali (poster).jpg\|Poster #2]]

	== Quotes ==		== Quotes ==
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	*"If you are God, you're in the wrong place tonight" - Frazier's reply		*"If you are God, you're in the wrong place tonight" - Frazier's reply

	==See also==		== See also ==
	*[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (2nd meeting)]]		*[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (2nd meeting)]]
	*[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (3rd meeting)]]		*[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (3rd meeting)]]
	*[[The 100 Greatest Title Fights of All-Time]]		*[[The 100 Greatest Title Fights of All-Time]]

Slugger at 17:43, 11 June 2018

2018-06-11T17:43:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:43, 11 June 2018
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	*'''Ring Announcer:''' [[Johnny Addie]]		*'''Ring Announcer:''' [[Johnny Addie]]
	*[[:File:Ali-Frazier1poster.JPG\|'''Onsite Poster''']]		*[[:File:Ali-Frazier1poster.JPG\|'''Onsite Poster''']]
	*'''Unofficial AP scorecard:''' 9-5-1 Frazier
	*'''Unofficial UPI scorecard:''' 7-7-1 Draw
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

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	== Buildup and media coverage ==		== Buildup and media coverage ==

	Each man was guaranteed $2.5 million dollars, the largest single payday for any entertainer or athlete at the time. Tickets to the Garden would be made available to the general public by mail on a first come first served basis. Prices in the arena ranged from $20 for a balcony seat to $150 for ringside. Hundreds of other locations throughout the U.S. and Canada would screen the fight via closed circuit television to fans paying $5 to $15.		Each man was guaranteed $2.5 million dollars, the largest single payday for any entertainer or athlete at the time. Tickets to the Garden would be made available to the general public by mail on a first come first served basis. Prices in the arena ranged from $20 for a balcony seat to $150 for ringside. Hundreds of other locations throughout the U.S. and Canada would screen the fight via closed circuit television to fans paying $5 to $15.

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	*Both Ali and Frazier are in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].		*Both Ali and Frazier are in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].
	*The term "[[The Fight of the Century\|Fight of the Century]]" had been used three times before. [http://www.boxing.com/fights_of_the_centurythenand_now.html]		*The term "[[The Fight of the Century\|Fight of the Century]]" had been used three times before. [http://www.boxing.com/fights_of_the_centurythenand_now.html]
			*Unofficial AP scorecard: 9-5-1 Frazier
			*Unofficial UPI scorecard: 7-7-1 Draw

	== Quotes ==		== Quotes ==
	According to referee Arthur Mercante, the following conversation took place in the ring:		According to referee Arthur Mercante, the following conversation took place in the ring:
	* "You know, you're in here with the God tonight" - Ali's attempt to psyche out Frazier		*"You know, you're in here with the God tonight" - Ali's attempt to psyche out Frazier
	* "If you are God, you're in the wrong place tonight" - Frazier's reply		*"If you are God, you're in the wrong place tonight" - Frazier's reply

	==See also==		==See also==

Slugger at 17:41, 11 June 2018

2018-06-11T17:41:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:41, 11 June 2018
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	[[file:Frazier drops Ali.jpg\|right\|400px\|thumb\|Joe Frazier drops Muhammad Ali in the 15th round]]		[[file:Frazier drops Ali.jpg\|right\|400px\|thumb\|Joe Frazier drops Muhammad Ali in the 15th round]]
	<fight>17957</fight>		<fight>17957</fight>
	*'''Unofficial AP scorecard:''' 9-5-1 Frazier
	*'''Unofficial UPI scorecard:''' 7-7-1 Draw
	*'''Weights:''' Frazier 205.5 lbs (93 kg), Ali 215 lbs (97.5 kg)
	*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (second defense by Frazier)		*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (second defense by Frazier)
	*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (second defense by Frazier)		*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (second defense by Frazier)
			*'''Promoter:''' [[Jerry Perenchio]]
			*'''Ring Announcer:''' [[Johnny Addie]]
	*[[:File:Ali-Frazier1poster.JPG\|'''Onsite Poster''']]		*[[:File:Ali-Frazier1poster.JPG\|'''Onsite Poster''']]
			*'''Unofficial AP scorecard:''' 9-5-1 Frazier
			*'''Unofficial UPI scorecard:''' 7-7-1 Draw
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

Boxsoup at 06:16, 25 February 2016

2016-02-25T06:16:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:16, 25 February 2016
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	==See also==		==See also==
	*[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (2nd meeting)~~\|Ali-Frazier II~~]]		*[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (2nd meeting)]]
	*[[~~Thrilla in Manila~~]]		*[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (3rd meeting)]]
	*[[The 100 Greatest Title Fights of All-Time]]		*[[The 100 Greatest Title Fights of All-Time]]

Ric: linked to Mike Silver's article

2015-06-20T15:04:53Z

linked to Mike Silver's article

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:04, 20 June 2015
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	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

	'''''Fight of the Century''''' was the promotional nickname given to ~~the~~ first match between champion [[Joe Frazier]] (26-0, 23 [[KO]]s) and challenger [[Muhammad Ali]] (31-0, 26 KOs), held on March 8, 1971 at New York's [[Madison Square Garden]].		'''''Fight of the Century''''' was the promotional nickname given to this first match between champion [[Joe Frazier]] (26-0, 23 [[KO]]s) and challenger [[Muhammad Ali]] (31-0, 26 KOs), held on March 8, 1971 at New York's [[Madison Square Garden]].

	== Buildup and media coverage ==		== Buildup and media coverage ==
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	[[file:Frazier hooks Ali.jpg\|right\|350px]]		[[file:Frazier hooks Ali.jpg\|right\|350px]]
	*Both Ali and Frazier are in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].		*Both Ali and Frazier are in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].
	*The term "Fight of the Century" ~~was also~~ used ~~to describe the fight between former heavyweight champion~~ [~~[James J~~. ~~Jeffries\|James Jefferies]~~] ~~and reigning champion [[Jack Johnson]] in 1910.~~		*The term "[[The Fight of the Century\|Fight of the Century]]" had been used three times before. [http://www.boxing.com/fights_of_the_centurythenand_now.html]

	== Quotes ==		== Quotes ==

Earl at 07:16, 14 January 2014

2014-01-14T07:16:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:16, 14 January 2014
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	[[file:Frazier drops Ali.jpg\|right\|~~350px~~\|thumb\|Joe Frazier drops Muhammad Ali in the 15th round]]		[[file:Frazier drops Ali.jpg\|right\|400px\|thumb\|Joe Frazier drops Muhammad Ali in the 15th round]]
	<fight>17957</fight>		<fight>17957</fight>
	*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title'''<br>
	*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title'''<br>
	*'''Weights:''' Frazier 205.5 lbs (93 kg), Ali 215 lbs (97.5 kg)
	*'''Unofficial AP scorecard:''' 9-5-1 Frazier		*'''Unofficial AP scorecard:''' 9-5-1 Frazier
	*'''Unofficial UPI scorecard:''' 7-7-1 Draw		*'''Unofficial UPI scorecard:''' 7-7-1 Draw
			*'''Weights:''' Frazier 205.5 lbs (93 kg), Ali 215 lbs (97.5 kg)
			*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (second defense by Frazier)
			*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (second defense by Frazier)
			*[[:File:Ali-Frazier1poster.JPG\|'''Onsite Poster''']]

	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

Boxsoup at 06:26, 9 August 2012

2012-08-09T06:26:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:26, 9 August 2012
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	[[file:~~F17957b~~.~~jpeg~~\|right\|350px]]		[[file:Frazier drops Ali.jpg\|right\|350px\|thumb\|Joe Frazier drops Muhammad Ali in the 15th round]]
	<fight>17957</fight>		<fight>17957</fight>
	*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title'''<br>		*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title'''<br>
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	== The Fight ==		== The Fight ==
			[[file:Ali vs. Frazier 1.jpg\|right\|350px]]
			By the evening of the match, Madison Square Garden had a circus-like atmosphere, with scores of policemen to control the crowd, outrageously dressed fans, and countless celebrities, from Norman Mailer and Woody Allen to [[Frank Sinatra]], who took photographs for Life magazine. Artist [[LeRoy Neiman]] painted Ali and Frazier as they fought. Burt Lancaster served as a color commentator for the closed ciruit broadcast. Even though Lancaster had never performed as a sports commentator before, he was hired by the fight's promoter, Jerry Perenchio, who was also a friend of his. The other commentators were play-by-play announcer [[Don Dunphy]] and former light heavyweight champion [[Archie Moore]].

	By the evening of the match, Madison Square Garden had a circus-like atmosphere, with scores of policemen to control the crowd, outrageously dressed fans, and countless celebrities, from Norman Mailer and Woody Allen to [[Frank Sinatra]], who took photographs for Life magazine. Artist [[LeRoy Neiman]] painted Ali and Frazier as they fought. Burt Lancaster served as a color commentator for the closed ciruit broadcast. Even though Lancaster had never performed as a sports commentator before, he was hired by the fight's promoter, Jerry Perenchio, who was also a friend of his. The other commentators were play-by-play announcer [[Don Dunphy]] and former light heavyweight champion [[Archie Moore]].
	~~[[file:F17957.jpeg\|right\|350px]]~~
	The fight itself exceeded even its promotional hype. Ali dominated the first three rounds, peppering the shorter Frazier with rapier-like jabs that raised welts on the champion's face. Frazier began to dominate in the 4th round, catching Ali with several of his famed left hooks and pinning him against the ropes to deliver tremendous body blows. The fight was about even until late in round 11, when Frazier caught Ali, backed into a corner, with a crushing left hook that almost floored Ali, sending him falling into the ropes. Ali managed to survive the round and fought well over the next three rounds. At the end of round 14, Frazier held a lead on the three scorecards. Early in round 15, Frazier landed a spectacular left hook that put Ali on his back (for only the third time in his career). Ali, his right jaw swollen grotesquely, got up from the blow quickly and managed to stay on his feet for the rest of the round despite several terrific blows from Frazier. A few minutes later, the judges made it official: Frazier had retained the title with a unanimous decision, dealing Ali his first professional loss.		The fight itself exceeded even its promotional hype. Ali dominated the first three rounds, peppering the shorter Frazier with rapier-like jabs that raised welts on the champion's face. Frazier began to dominate in the 4th round, catching Ali with several of his famed left hooks and pinning him against the ropes to deliver tremendous body blows. The fight was about even until late in round 11, when Frazier caught Ali, backed into a corner, with a crushing left hook that almost floored Ali, sending him falling into the ropes. Ali managed to survive the round and fought well over the next three rounds. At the end of round 14, Frazier held a lead on the three scorecards. Early in round 15, Frazier landed a spectacular left hook that put Ali on his back (for only the third time in his career). Ali, his right jaw swollen grotesquely, got up from the blow quickly and managed to stay on his feet for the rest of the round despite several terrific blows from Frazier. A few minutes later, the judges made it official: Frazier had retained the title with a unanimous decision, dealing Ali his first professional loss.

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	==Notes==		==Notes==
			[[file:Frazier hooks Ali.jpg\|right\|350px]]
	*Both Ali and Frazier are in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].		*Both Ali and Frazier are in the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].
	*The term "Fight of the Century" was also used to describe the fight between former heavyweight champion [[James J. Jeffries\|James Jefferies]] and reigning champion [[Jack Johnson]] in 1910.		*The term "Fight of the Century" was also used to describe the fight between former heavyweight champion [[James J. Jeffries\|James Jefferies]] and reigning champion [[Jack Johnson]] in 1910.
	~~[[file:F17957c.jpeg\|right\|350px]]~~

	== Quotes ==		== Quotes ==