Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III

About

Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III, known as the "Thrilla in Manila," was a pivotal boxing match held on October 1, 1975, at the Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines. This fight concluded the legendary trilogy between the two boxing icons. Ali, defending his WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight titles, faced Frazier in a battle that would leave both fighters forever changed. The bout was staged early in the morning to accommodate international broadcast schedules, and it remains one of the most brutal and memorable fights in boxing history. The fight saw both men giving their all, with Frazier dominating the middle rounds and Ali rallying late. However, by the 14th round, Frazier's eyes were severely swollen, and his trainer, Eddie Futch, decided to stop the fight, resulting in a corner retirement victory for Ali. Both fighters praised each other's courage and skill post-fight, cementing their rivalry as one of the greatest in sports history. The "Thrilla in Manila" is remembered for its intensity and the immense physical toll it took on both fighters, forever etching their names in boxing lore.