Muhammad Ali's greatness is something that people have written and spoken about for what seems forever, and rightfully so. He's arguably the greatest athlete of any modern sport. Like all great athletes, he needed his rivals to bring out the best in him and provide him with epic battles.
Watching the Knicks last night, I was reminded that today marks 40 years since the "Fight of the Century". 15 brutal rounds against two undefeated champs. People remember the fight for a multitude of reasons. I'd like to remember it for the example set by Smokin' Joe. Joe was the champ and wanted to legitimize his claim to the title. He could only do that by beating Ali. Rather than duck or hide, Frazier helped Ali stay afloat financially and did everything in his hands to make sure he got the fight.
Joe has gone on record as saying, "I didn't want the reputation of trying to duck or shun anybody." He certainly proved it by taking on the greatest fighter in the world and doing everything in his power to make sure the fight got off before a Supreme Court decision that would decide Ali's future. He proved it further by taking on an awesome George Foreman. After losing, he kept it real with saying, "I lost that fight fair and square...It ain't the first time I've been whooped."
Joe is an example of the chivalry that once existed in boxing and what a champ should be. Forty years ago today, he showed the world what a perfect left hook really looks like, and had his day as champ. Smokin' Joe, PTU salutes you.
I heard Joe on Francesa yesterday. Apparently, Ali talked a lot of personal smack about Joe in the months before that fight. So much so that Joe started to regret helping him. All that smack talk probably helped Joe put a little extra on that left hook in the 15th.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have had a radio around to hear that. He really is a down to earth, blue collared dude.
ReplyDeleteThere was a ton of smack talk like, "Joe Frazier is too ugly and too dumb to be champ." Depending on the author you read or interview you watch, some people speculate that Ali was just talking trash to promote the fight (which is something he always did). Joe took it personal and started referring to him as "Clay" which was a sore spot for Ali. Ali badly beat Floyd Patterson for calling him Clay. He also destroyed Ernie Terrell yelling, "What's my name," the entire fight and torturing the guy. That lead to more trash talk and then the prettiest left hook anyone will ever see in boxing.
Watch the 'Thrilla in Manilla' HBO special. My opinion of Ali changed after that. I respect the fact that he took on the greatest heavy weights of his generation and didn't duck anyone. But the guy was still a major asshole and what he did to Frazier was beyond fucked up. Even if Ali was just promoting the fight, that's a real grimey way to treat someone that went out of their way to help him out when he was down. Ali payed for it too. He was never the same after that.
ReplyDeleteYo Shank, Finnerties next week... we're going to bring the Super Nintendo.
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