Fight of the Century

This article is about the "Fight of the Century" between U.S. athletes Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. For other "Fights of the Century", see Fight of the Century (disambiguation).

Fight of the Century
The onsite poster for Joe Frazier vs. Former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali.
DateMarch 8, 1971
VenueMadison Square Garden, New York City, US
40°45′01″N 73°59′37″W / 40.7504°N 73.9935°W / 40.7504; -73.9935
Title(s) on the lineWBA, WBC, The Ring and Lineal undisputed heavyweight titles
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Joe Frazier United States Muhammad Ali
Nickname Smokin' Joe The Greatest
Hometown Beaufort, South Carolina, US Louisville, Kentucky, US
Pre-fight record 26–0 (23 KO) 31–0 (25 KO)
Age 27 years, 1 month 29 years, 1 month
Height 5 ft 11+1⁄2 in 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 205+1⁄2 lb[1] 215 lb (98 kg)[1]
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight champion Lineal heavyweight champion
Result
Frazier wins via 15-round unanimous decision (8–6–1, 9–6, 11–4)

Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali, billed as The Fight of the Century or simply The Fight,[2] was an undisputed heavyweight championship boxing match between WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight champion Joe Frazier and Lineal champion Muhammad Ali, on Monday, March 8, 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[3][4][5]

The fight is widely regarded as the biggest boxing match in history and arguably the single most anticipated and publicized sporting event ever. An international audience observed the spectacle. It was the first time that two undefeated boxers who held or had held the world heavyweight title fought each other for that very title.

The bout held broad appeal for many Americans, including non-boxing and non-sport fans. Ali, who had been stripped of his titles by boxing authorities for refusing to submit to the draft for the Vietnam War, had become a symbol of the anti-establishment public during his government-imposed exile from the ring. In contrast, Frazier supported U.S. involvement in the war,[6] and he had been adopted by elements of the public with alternate views. In addition, both men possessed intense personal animosity towards each other.

Frazier won in fifteen rounds by unanimous decision. Ali dealt with his first professional loss. It became the first of a trio of fights, followed by the rematch events Super Fight II (1974) and the Thrilla in Manila (1975). Both of those fights were won by Ali.

  1. ^ a b "Weigh-ins held". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. March 8, 1971. p. 10.
  2. ^ "Thriller in Manila". Top Documentary Films. 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  3. ^ "The Great Fights: Ali vs. Frazier I". Life. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  4. ^ Kram, Mark (March 15, 1971). "The battered face of a winner". Sports Illustrated. p. 16.
  5. ^ Zavoral, Nolan (March 9, 1971). "Frazier bores in and Ali is kaput". Milwaukee Journal. p. 11.
  6. ^ George, Thomas (February 24, 2011). "Fight of the Century: Muhammad Ali's legacy grows in defeat". AOL News. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012.