Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier 1 - boxing - heavyweights - undisputed world title
- 5 months ago
Joe Frazier defended his undisputed world heavyweight title against Muhammad Ali
Date: March 8, 1971
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
Frazier stance: orthodox
Ali stance: orthodox
Joe Frazier was the Olympic heavyweight champion in the 1964 Olympics, and made an excellent start to his pro career by winning his first 24 bouts and then challenging for the undisputed world title. He stopped the reigning WBA champion, Jimmy Ellis, in four rounds and picked up the vacant WBC belt in the process. Frazier's first defence was against light heavyweight champion Bob Foster, and Foster lasted just two rounds.
Muhammad Ali was also unbeaten, and had lost his undisputed world champion status outside the ring. After three and a half years without a boxing licence, Ali returned and stopped Jerry Quarry in the third round. Up next was a much harder contest against Oscar Bonavena, and Ali prevailed in the 15th round. Both boxers were unbeaten and in their twenties. The bout was promoted as The Fight of the Century.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
Joe Frazier - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/147
Muhammad Ali - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/000180
Date: March 8, 1971
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
Frazier stance: orthodox
Ali stance: orthodox
Joe Frazier was the Olympic heavyweight champion in the 1964 Olympics, and made an excellent start to his pro career by winning his first 24 bouts and then challenging for the undisputed world title. He stopped the reigning WBA champion, Jimmy Ellis, in four rounds and picked up the vacant WBC belt in the process. Frazier's first defence was against light heavyweight champion Bob Foster, and Foster lasted just two rounds.
Muhammad Ali was also unbeaten, and had lost his undisputed world champion status outside the ring. After three and a half years without a boxing licence, Ali returned and stopped Jerry Quarry in the third round. Up next was a much harder contest against Oscar Bonavena, and Ali prevailed in the 15th round. Both boxers were unbeaten and in their twenties. The bout was promoted as The Fight of the Century.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
Joe Frazier - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/147
Muhammad Ali - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/000180