A Brief Look at "The Fight of the Century"

Meeting at Madison Square Garden in 1971, Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier was the culmination of what had been two undefeated professional careers.

-----Rhetoric and Fighting------ Some interesting parallels between the press conference banter from the 1971 Frazier-Ali match and the upcoming @twooodley and @usman84kg bout this Saturday. Bits of rhetoric used here: - Me > That guy and therefore Me > You - The Incredulous "How?" - "My categorical skills are far beyond your categorical skills" - "My success became your success" - The Warning Let's see if unlike Ali, Usman is successful in his bid for the belt. 🏆 #mma #boxing #rhetoric #debate #trashtalk #muhammadali #joefrazier

84 Likes, 0 Comments - Rama Reddy (@ramareddy.mma) on Instagram: "-----Rhetoric and Fighting------ Some interesting parallels between the press conference banter..."

Ali, coming back after being stripped of his title and boxing license 3 years earlier for refusing to be drafted into the military, had much to prove to the sporting world. He painted Frazier as a willing patsy to “The Man” and himself as “The People’s Champ”.

Both were strategic fighters, looking to win after accumulating damage. Ali tending to favor his lightning fast jab and occasional flurries, while Frazier frequently attacked the body before launching a hook upstairs. .
Ali predicted he would KO Frazier by the 6th. Frazier, in turn, said he would KO Ali in the 10th. Both were wrong.

It would be fought over 15 grueling rounds of back and forth action. Ali’s circular evasive footwork and lean-backs eventually slowed down as Frazier pummelled his solar plexus, ribs, and hips. He would be knocked down in the 15th round.

Frazier would keep his title by Unanimous Decision. This would be Ali’s first loss and the beginning of one of the most memorable trilogies in Boxing History.

Ali's mistake was believing that Frazier was like other fighters he had faced. "I've beaten Sonny Liston twice!" he screamed at the press conference. This played into Frazier’s strategy, mindset, and belief in himself.

He was not Liston. He was "Smokin'" Joe Frazier.

Do you. Let them be wrong.

Graphic by: Nidhin Koshy