Joe Frazier versus Muhammad Ali

Race was also central to boxing’s greatest rivalry—Muhammad Ali  versus Joe Frazier—even though both men were African American. Privately, they had been friends before their first match in 1971, but that changed after Ali—both an outspoken champion of Black power and a master of gaining psychological advantage—went to great lengths to depict Frazier, who was largely silent on the issue of civil rights, as a patsy for the white establishment. In that first fight, Frazier retained the heavyweight championship with a decision over the previously undefeated Ali, who was returning to the ring for the second time since being stripped of the championship in 1967 for refusing army induction during the Vietnam War. In their 1973 rematch, Ali won a commanding decision over Frazier, who had earlier lost the title to George Foreman. Fought in the Philippines in 1975, the last Ali-Frazier fight, for the championship (won back from Foreman by Ali), is considered by many to be the greatest fight of all time. For 14 rounds, Ali, the graceful lightning-quick boxer, and Frazier, the relentless bobbing-and-weaving brawler, beat the hell out of each other. Ultimately, Ali simply survived better than Frazier, winning the “Thrilla in Manila” by a technical knockout.