‘This Is the Closest I’ve Ever Been to Dying’: Late Legend Muhammad Ali Never Remained the Same After This Fight

Boxing great Muhammad Ali was not just an exceptional boxer, he was also the epitome of human perseverance. Unsurprisingly, he has served as an inspiration for many boxers who have looked up to him. However, Ali went through a lot of things that turned him into the greatest boxer of all times. 

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s rivalry is one of the most talked about rivalry in the sport. The two fought thrice in their careers. They first met inside the squared circle in 1971, and the fight is still regarded as one of the biggest upsets of boxing. ‘The people’s Champion’ was undefeated until Frazier knocked him down in the fifteenth round and emerged as the winner. 

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However, the two boxing greats met again in 1974, and Ali outclassed Frazier to emerge as the victor. But it did not end here. It was their third face off in 1975, which changed the course of their careers. 

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Each boxer had only ever defeated the other once. The highly anticipated trilogy battle was therefore predicted to pave the road to greatness. The two had a bitter feud with one another throughout the years prior to their third encounter. The battle also clarified that it wasn’t just a boxing bout, it was beyond the sport.

Ali was known for his punching speed and confusing footwork. On the other hand, Frazier was a boxer with steady feet and hard blows. Both were trying to use their techniques to outclass each other. Ali was using the rope-a-dope technique to tire Frazier. But the latter took it as an opportunity and released a flurry of punches to hurt his biggest rival. 

In addition, it was visible that both boxers were exhausted, but were still going on because of their strong will power. Apparently, Ali struggled to catch his breath. He told chief second Angelo Dundee, “Man, this is the closest I’ve ever been to dying.”

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After that fight, it was observed that both the fighters were not the same. Something strange happened after that fight, which changed their careers. Reportedly, Ali also got blood clots on his legs in 1976, which deteriorated his condition. Then finally, he retired from the sport after his 1980 fight with Larry Holmes.

 

Interestingly, when later asked if he’d watched recordings of the match, Ali said, “Why would I want to go back and see Hell?’ He also called Frazier ‘the greatest fighter of all times,’ but couldn’t resist adding, ‘next to me’.”

In the interim, what do you think about Ali and Frazier’s rivalry? Let us know in the comments below.