Among the great trilogies in boxing history, the one between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier undoubtedly holds a prominent place. These two heavyweight legends battled for an astonishing total of 41 rounds, delivering emotion, spectacle, and drama every time. The first epic match, marked by Smokin’ Joe’s legendary triumph, was followed by The Greatest’s tactical masterpiece. The grand finale, which saw the two champions face off on October 1, 1975, in the Philippines without pulling any punches, was the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable chapter in boxing history. On the anniversary of that sweltering night, let’s relive the thrills of the famous “Thrilla in Manila.”
The “Ali Circus” and the Man on a Mission
On the eve of the big event, Ali’s camp was in a remarkably calm and relaxed atmosphere, fueled by the belief that Joe Frazier was past his prime and that this title defense was something of a gift to the challenger—his last big payday before retirement. Rather than adjusting to the sweltering heat of the Philippines, The Greatest spent his time indulging in the local nightlife, always accompanied by a large and noisy entourage that the press dubbed “The Ali Circus.” The champion even became embroiled in a romantic scandal when his wife, Belinda Boyd, discovered that Ali was publicly appearing with his mistress, Veronica Porche, and flew to the Asian country to confront him.
Frazier’s mood, however, was entirely different. He had never forgiven his long-time rival for the harsh provocations and ridicule Ali had directed at him before each fight, and trained like a man on a mission, determined to silence him once and for all. From being called “Uncle Tom” to “the white man’s champion,” the epithets Ali had hurled at his courageous opponent over the years had left a fiery mark in Smokin’ Joe’s blood, and the lead-up to the final match was no exception. The champion even punched a rubber gorilla at a press conference, accompanying the gesture with a mocking rhyme.
The Final Efforts of Two Great Champions
Paradoxically, the “Thrilla in Manila” didn’t actually take place in Manila: the match was held in nearby Quezon City. However, the rhyming moniker was so effective from a media perspective that it was adopted despite the slight geographical inaccuracy. More accurate than ever was the prediction that the fight would unfold as a thriller, building in intensity until its final, fateful moments. Ali’s carefree attitude was evident from the start, as he gave the impression of a student on a field trip. When the announcer introduced the massive trophy that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos would present to the winner, Ali suddenly rushed to the center of the ring, grabbed the prize, and brought it back to his corner as if victory was already assured.
It must be acknowledged that while both fighters still possessed physical and technical abilities far beyond ordinary men, they had lost a bit of their prime edge. Ali no longer had the athletic sharpness to “dance” consistently, while Frazier took a fraction too long to unleash his famed left hook, making him slightly less unpredictable. However, being at their peak was not a prerequisite for a great fight, and these two legends proved it in their own way. While their signature weapons only showed glimpses of their former power, where the body failed, determination and courage took over.
He Who Hesitates is Lost…
In addition to lacking the leg agility that had kept him safe from danger during their second match, Ali could resort less frequently to clinching to immobilize his fierce rival. Referee Carlos Padilla, unlike his predecessor Tony Perez, was strict in warning the champion each time he attempted to hold. Thus, for The Greatest, there was only one strategy left: strike, or be struck! When Ali unleashed his long arms, firing off rapid combinations, he managed to keep Frazier at bay; but whenever he slowed down, even for a few seconds, he was overwhelmed by Smokin’‘s fury.
While Frazier initially tried to employ his usual tactic of advancing with continuous torso movements, at some point, he began moving forward recklessly without any defensive adjustments—a desperate and wild approach born out of a burning desire to turn the fight into a true test of survival. From the 11th to the 13th round, Frazier’s face became severely distorted, but at the same time, Ali was forced to expend a tremendous amount of physical and mental energy. The champion’s initial confidence faded, replaced by growing concern as he faced an opponent unwilling to retreat, despite the brutal punishment he was taking.
No One Will Forget!
With his left eye long rendered ineffective by cataracts and his right eye half-closed from Ali’s blows, Frazier fought a dramatic 14th round in a near-blind state. It was a heroic and heart-wrenching effort, but his legendary trainer, Eddie Futch, decided during the minute’s rest to stop the fight, despite Joe’s protests. To Frazier’s pleas, Futch replied: “It’s over. No one will ever forget what you did here today.”
The legend suggests that Ali, too, was on the verge of quitting; while we don’t know if that’s true, we do know that after jumping off the stool to celebrate his victory, The Greatest briefly collapsed to the floor, clearly drained of every ounce of energy.
Inevitably, neither of these two legendary champions was ever the same after that insane night. However, Futch’s words, just as applicable to his own Joe as to his fiercest rival, sum things up perfectly: No one will ever forget what Ali and Frazier did that night in Manila!