The late Muhammad Ali revealed he once feared death in the ring — even when prevailing in one of the most iconic fights to ever grace the squared circle.
Engaged in a three-fight series with the great Joe Frazier during their respective pomp atop the heavyweight division, Muhammad Ali closed out the pair’s trilogy with a supreme victory.
Having competed in The Fight of the Century as well as Super Fight II with the South Carolina star, Ali would take bragging rights in a trip to the Philippines.
And despite forcing an eventual penultimate round stoppage over Frazier, Ali revealed he was more than concerned for his health — leading him to make a quite unique request.
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Muhammad Ali’s Thrilla in Manila fear against Joe Frazier
Making waves pre-fight ahead of his decider against Frazier, the late Louisville icon Ali made quite the bold prediction, leading to the event’s eventual billing: “A killa and a thrilla and a chilla, when I get that gorilla in Manila.”
Drawing an incredible billion global viewers come fight night on this day in 1975, Ali delivered on his promise to take supremacy against Frazier — scoring a corner stoppage win in the fourteenth round of their fifteen-round showdown.
However, proving far from plain sailing, Ali admitted in the same round as Frazier was pulled from the clash by his trainer, he urged his legendary trainer Angelo Dundee, to cut off his glove, effectively retiring on his stool.
Following the pairing, Ali insisted, “(Joe) Frazier quit just before I did. I didn’t think I could fight anymore.”
Muhammad Ali’s final trilogy win
Involved in another high-profile trilogy during his iconic career in the ring, Ali would thrice face off with the late Ken Norton, having suffered a defeat to the former world champion in their first pairing.
Dropping a contentious split decision loss to Norton, Ali would avenge the defeat in an immediate rematch in 1973.
And following his win over Frazier, Ali would be afforded the chance to once more take bragging rights.
Doing just that, ‘The Louisville Lip’ would take a unanimous decision win over Norton in a heralded performance at a packed Yankee Stadium in New York.