Muhammad Ali was a boxing icon and his career was filled with legendary fights. Three of his biggest battles against Joe Frazier and George Foreman stand out in his storied career.
“Fight of the Century”: On March 8, 1971, Ali and Frazier faced off in a highly anticipated match at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Both fighters were undefeated heavyweight champions, and the excitement surrounding the bout lived up to its name. The fight was a closely contested battle, with Frazier ultimately landing the deciding blows to hand Ali his first professional loss.
“Thrilla in Manila”: On October 1, 1975, Ali and Frazier faced each other for the third and final time in their careers, in the Philippines. The bout was one of the most brutal and grueling in boxing history, with both fighters leaving it all in the ring. After 14 rounds of intense action, Ali emerged as the victor, stopping Frazier in the 15th round after Frazier’s trainer threw in the towel.
“Rumble in the Jungle”: On October 30, 1974, Ali faced George Foreman in a bout held in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The fight is famous for Ali’s innovative use of the “rope-a-dope” strategy, where he absorbed Foreman’s punches by leaning against the ropes, eventually wearing Foreman out and knocking him out in the eighth round to reclaim the heavyweight championship.
These three battles are some of the most iconic moments in Ali’s career and in boxing history. They showcase Ali’s talent, tenacity, and sportsmanship, and they continue to inspire fans and future generations of fighters.