When Muhammad Ali survived 14 brutal rounds with Joe Frazier in the 'Thrilla in Manila' 45 years ago, it wrote a page in boxing folklore but left both men forever diminished.

Futch and his assistant, George Benton, believed that the key to winning the fight would be for Frazier to persistently attack Ali's body, including punches to the hips when Ali effectively covered up his torso along the ropes. The bottom is marked "144/350.". "Ali and Frazier would never be the same again, after pouring and spending practically all their power and durability in Manila," said Recah Trinidad, a Philippine boxing columnist.Ali, who had beaten George Foreman in the 'Rumble in the Jungle' in Zaire a year earlier, came into the fight at 33, his best years well behind him.They battled inside the 25,000-seat Araneta Coliseum with such ferocity that spectators including Imelda Marcos, wife of then-Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, were spattered with blood. But the fight came at a cost to both men.“Ali and Frazier would never be the same again, after pouring and spending practically all their power and durability in “The fighters went to destroy, not merely to outfight each other,” he added.Ali, who had beaten George Foreman in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in Zaire a year earlier, came into the fight at 33, his best years well behind him.They battled inside the 25,000-seat Araneta Coliseum with such ferocity that spectators including Imelda Marcos, wife of then-Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, were spattered with blood.“It was like death. He did not appear dazed or groggy, but was visibly stiff in his body movements while backing away from the oncoming Frazier, and continuing to throw punches of his own. The Thrilla in Manila was the third and final boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.It was contested in 1975 for the heavyweight championship of the world at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines, on Wednesday, October 1.The venue was renamed from Araneta Coliseum, specifically for the match. "As the bout wore on it became clear that despite his belief in the rope-a-dope, when Ali had his back against the ropes, Frazier had the advantage. He kept Frazier in the center of the ring, and landed several straight right hands immediately after his left jab. Ali set an acrimonious tone in the weeks leading to the fight, enraging Frazier, 31, by likening him to a giant ape. Ali spent much of the round along the ropes.

Benton said, "My expression to Joe was what you've got to do is stay on top of him, and hit the son of a bitch anywhere, hit him on the hips, hit him on the legs.

He advised them to assign one of their countrymen to referee the bout, stating that this would reflect well on the Philippines, and be a source of pride for its people. You hit him anywhere!

Years later, watching the event on video, Frazier shook his head at the sight of Ali withstanding the powerful blows. He retired with a win-loss record of 56-5.The “Louisville Lip” died nearly four years ago after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.“Smokin’ Joe” (32-4-1) fought only twice more after the Manila epic, being stopped by Foreman for a second time in 1976 before coming out of retirement five years later to draw with the unheralded Floyd Cummings over 10 rounds. On September 30, 1975, The "Thrilla in Manila" was also the very first boxing bout to be on 1975 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier Ali, 33, was not floating like a butterfly. Referee Carlos Padilla said, "During the fight [Ali] would say 'Ah one ah two and a three ... Jack be nimble and Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick. Fought in the Philippines’ stifling daytime heat, with barely functioning air conditioning, Frazier was beaten nearly blind and Ali was on the verge of surrender. I'm going to put you away!" Ali was knocked back by the force of the blow, and landed in the ropes behind him. Is that all you can give? The ring size of 21 feet (6.4 m) square allowed him the ability to move and circle the ring if he so chose, which would enable him to use his superior boxing skills to his advantage. Flat footed in front of Frazier, he … Dundee, who detested the rope-a-dope (never more so than in Manila) constantly beseeched his fighter to "get off the goddamn ropes!"

The clip of the pen is marked "Ali vs Frazier" in sterling and the very top of the lid has a "35" on it. Again Ali landed in the ropes behind him, but he only gave the appearance of being slightly dazed, and stiff legged. Seconds later, Frazier landed a tremendous, whipping left hook to Ali's head. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Manila (AFP) - When Muhammad Ali survived 14 brutal rounds with Joe Frazier in the 'Thrilla in Manila' 45 years ago, it wrote a page in boxing folklore but left both men forever diminished. Come on, you ugly gorilla—hit me!'"

Frazier died in 2011.Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought for the third time in Manila (AFP Photo/ROBERT GIROUX)Make better choices. The bout is consistently ranked as one of the best in the sport's history and was the culmination of a three-bout rivalry between the two fighters that Ali won, 2–1.In the lead-up to the Manila fight as well as each of their other two encounters, Ali verbally abused Frazier. The mayor refused to let Clayton out of his duties as a Philadelphia civil service employee to go referee the fight.

Beginning at the start of round 7, Ali managed to do so effectively for about a round and a half, and was able to best Frazier in exhausting toe-to-toe exchanges during the opening minute of round 8—described on the telecast as "a big rally by Ali. Get your Fantasy Football league up and running today!Philippine medics struggle to cope in overwhelmed hospitals as lockdown easesAsia Today: Philippine capital's virus lockdown to be easedStrong quake in Philippines kills 1, damages houses, roadsHungry and homeless: Philippine 'jeepney' drivers hit by virusTop militant linked to beheadings surrenders in PhilippinesReds suspend announcer Thom Brennaman after hot mic catches anti-gay slurMasai Ujiri body-cam footage shows that no level of success can shield Black people from inequalityD.J.