Muhammad Ali was a very big man. Taller than most people realize. Bigger arms and legs than most people realize. He really was a huge guy.
Smokin' Joe Frazier
Really didn't train all that hard for this bout.
He started his Training Camp on August 27, 1975 at Cloverlay Gym in Philadelphia.
Joe was close to 230 lbs., and had not fought since March 2nd against Jimmy Ellis in
Australia.
Basically, it was a 5-Week 'Prep-Cycle', which was nothing special.
Do not let success go to your head and do not let failure get to your heart.
Great post That fight did not have a winner or a loser both men gave 110% Neither man was ever the same again. I spoke with Joe quite a while in Dallas many years ago & I asked him " Was the hatred for each other real or just hype Joe." He grinned & said " He says it was all hype but he took it too far. When your daughter comes home crying that other kids said her Daddy was a Gorilla because Ali said so that's going too far."
He also said " Let me put it like this I don't think we'd ever go out to a bar and drink together but there is no man in this world I admire more than Ali. I hit him with shots that would have felled any normal man but he just kept coming.
Joe was a real nice down to earth guy a pleasure to talk to plus he was one Hell od a Fighter!!! R.I.P. Champ you earned it
Thursday ~ August 28, 1975
Smokin' Joe Frazier had opened up Training Camp on Wednesday ~ August 27th.
I know Joe never forgave Ali for the hurtful things he said to him and the impact it had on his family which probably hurt the most. No one could because he had to live through it. I do not think Ali meant it to go that far either and it was just bravado from Ali. Admire both men as they gave it their all in that ring and created great memories that will be remembered forever.
Do not let success go to your head and do not let failure get to your heart.
I have lost track of how many times I watched that fight because there were two things in hindsight that intrigued me, why I remained an Ali Fan for a long time escaped me but when He (Ali) pulled that miniature gorilla out of his pocket and forgot that way back when, Joe supported his plight with the U.S. government I lost some respect and then the fight. It was a tug of war until Joe broke away and Joe was in Fantastic shape and he did not allow Ali to box or breathe. Ali's jabs got there first and then those monster hooks had Ali holding on for dear life. Joe brought out the fighter in Ali who won the fight I believe out of sheer terror. Ali started to throw punches in desperation after taking a beating from Frazier and he could barely keep his arms up and Joe's eyes were closed but it was as if his fists had radar and he found Ali. He was hurt but to this day the question was how much. Ali's fists or the compassionate Frazier corner, which one lost it for Frazier? Ali would say in his post fight interview ,"That was the closest I have ever been to death."
See Bill, everyone know Joe got into great shape.
Do not let success go to your head and do not let failure get to your heart.
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