Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier II 28.1.1974 - NABF Heavyweight Title

In anticipation for the rematch between GGG vs Canelo, I have decided to upload another great rematch from years gone by, Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier from 1974. More info below...

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier first met each other in the ring 3 years prior back in 1971. At that time, Joe Frazier was the World Heavyweight Champion and won a 15 Rd unanimous decision over the then undefeated Muhammad Ali and even knocked him down in the process. It was called The Fight of the Century and certainly lived up to the hype surrounding it. After the win, Frazier went on to defend his World Heavyweight title against Terry Daniels and Ron Stander in dominant stoppage wins but then Frazier was stopped himself in January 1973 by Big George Foreman, giving up his World title. Frazier bounced back with a 12 round win over European Champion Joe Bugner 6 months later. Frazier's record at the time was 30-1.

Muhammad Ali was rebuilding himself following the loss to Frazier. Ali won the vacant NABF Heavyweight title in his next fight and would successfully defend it 5 times before suffering an upset to Ken Norton in March 1973 by split decision. 6 months later and Ali would face Norton again but this time Ali was on the winning side of a split decision and won back the NABF Heavyweight title. Ali ended the year with a unanimous decision over Dutch Heavyweight Champion, Rudi Lubbers, for a record of 43-2.

Ali and Frazier would meet each other 3 times in the ring with their 1st and 3rd encounters being the most famous. Although this rematch is considered the least exciting of the 3 that doesn't mean it was lacking in excitement, quite the opposite. It was billed as "Super Fight 2", and for 12 rounds both men engaged in a pattern of Ali circling and jabbing while Frazier bobbed and weaved looking to get in close and land his famous left hook... but unfortunately he couldn't find Ali's jaw this time around. Unlike the first fight, Ali had also adopted a strategy of holding Frazier whenever he got in close to nullify his constant pressure and much to the annoyance of Frazier's team, it was technically not illegal. After 12 all action rounds, Ali was declared the victor.

Frazier once again bounced back with 2 impressive stoppage wins over Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Ellis to earn himself a shot at the World Heavyweight titles and also the all important rubber match with Ali in 1975, "The Thrilla in Manilla". Unfortunately Frazier would be forced to retire on his stool after 14 gruelling rounds, ending one of the greatest feuds in boxing history.

Видео Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier II 28.1.1974 - NABF Heavyweight Title канала Classic Boxing Matches