Interview: Joe Frazier still simmering over Ali (quotes discuss religion, too)

AP ^ | April 10, 2009 | DAVE SKRETTA

[ConservativeStatement]

NEW YORK — Muhammad Ali described his third and final fight with Joe Frazier as "death, closest thing to dyin' that I know of."

Frazier recalls their brutal matchup outside Manila as something much less grandiose.

"We just did our job," he said.

The two great heavyweights always have been the ying and yang of boxing. Why should things change nearly 35 years later?

[advertising guy]

Cassius sure could box

[Islaminaction]

What does Frazier think that Obama is going to do for boxing?
Is he an idiot who has bought into the Obama is going to fix everything hype?

[trisham]

What a sad story.

[Mr. Mojo]

“The Thrilla in Manila” (their third fight) was probably the best heavyweight championship fight in history. But their first encounter (in ‘71) was almost as thrilling, and the build-up and drama surrounding the event was a lot higher. I was young, but I remember the entire country taking sides. ...and it got pretty serious. I was in the Frazier camp.

[LibWhacker]

Dodging punches

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

That’s amazing.

[Snurple]

I never liked cassius clay, still dont but when he pulled out the little plastic monkey and started punching it saying “this is what Im going to do to the gorilla in Manila I laughed till I cried.

[the invisib1e hand]

They say that was Ali’s strength, right there: getting in close and not getting smashed.

[the invisib1e hand]

I never liked cassius clay, still dont but when he pulled out the little plastic monkey and started punching it saying “this is what Im going to do to the gorilla in Manila I laughed till I cried.

I wonder if Ali could say that today without being called a racist.

[Cacique]

btt

[carcraft]

I watched a special on Smokin Joe. He was bitter toward Ali because when Ali was stripped of his title Frazier supplied Ali money, helped pay court costs and let Ali use his gym to stay in shape. As soon as Ali was reinstated he started calling Frazier the white man's champ and other names. Frazier’s son said it may have been hype to Ali but when your family receives death threats it isn't funny. Ali said if Frazier beat him he would crawl over on his knees and say he was the greatest. When Frazier whooped Ali Frazier said Ali didn't say nothing!

[fleagle]

I was too young back in '71, but I'm sure I would have been in the Frazier camp.

I still remember when Letterman used to do this bit where, during his show, he would call up Joe Frazier and ask him how much gas he had in his car. Usually Joe would say something like, "Oh, around a quarter of a tank Dave." I don't know why but at the time I thought that was the funniest thing around.

Frazier is old school Philly and I wish him the best.

[downtownconservative]

He was super quick and had the amazing ability to keep his eyes open and on the incoming punches so that he could react and dodge. But being a great boxer doesn’t make one a great person.

[the invisib1e hand]

"Let's see if we can get this back to where it needs to be."

You can't go home, Mr. Frazier. You probably know that.

[Ticonderoga34]

never liked cassius clay, still dont but when he pulled out the little plastic monkey and started punching it saying “this is what Im going to do to the gorilla in Manila I laughed till I cried.

I wonder if Ali could say that today without being called a racist.

Ali was called a racist back in 1975 when he did it. I remember Sports Illustrated coming out and condemning Ali at the time for the gorilla stunt.

Ali wasn't serious when he put down Frazier before their fights. Ali admitted years later that it was just a stunt to sell tickets. Joe didn't care, he took Ali's words to heart.

[Richard Kimball]

I liked Frazier, but Foreman was my favorite all time boxer. Never was an Ali fan. Larry Holmes never got the credit he deserved. He was a great boxer, but wasn't as exciting to watch.

Ultimate fighting draws a lot bigger crowd than boxing, now. The last few times I've watched ultimate fighting, the place was packed and the crowd was rabid. The last few times I've seen boxing, the place was half empty and people were walking in and out during the matches.

[the invisib1e hand]

So, Frazier’s “blacker” than Ali? How freaked out is that?

[Snurple]

Joe shut him up for awhile if memory serve me. He broke Clays jaw (they wired it shut) and had him eating pudding for about a month.

[Mr. Mojo]

I always despised that draft-dodging, Elijah Muhammed-invoking, Nation of Islam racist POS Ali. The incidents you relayed are a perfect window into Ali’s (lack of) character.