Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
Three fights against each other, two of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, one hell of a story
Nine minutes on the greatest rivalry in boxing
"Fight of the Century". All of it
The "Thrilla in Manila". Complete fight
"The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life"
In honour of Muhammad Ali's 70th birthday, SI republishes this memorable piece from 1975, written after the Thrilla in Manila. "Man, I hit him with punches that'd bring down the walls of a city," said a defeated Joe Frazier
Classic 1978 despatch, after Muhammad Ali, aged 36, had become the first three-time heavyweight champion in history. "He tortured his body in training to the point where it was once again an outrageous instrument of his dreams"
Republication of classic 1971 despatch when Frazier defeated Ali in first of their match-ups. "Defeat far from diminishing Ali in the eyes of his admirers has deepened their feelings far beyond the normal limits of public respect"
"Feeling that history has treated him unfairly, Frazier is haunted and overshadowed by his old tormentor, the figure he did most to help create. He is trapped and wriggling in the Ali mystique, embedded in the amber of Ali's life"
Ali's biographer remembers "The Thrilla in Manila". "The fight began at 10:45 in the morning to accommodate television viewers in the United States. As it unfolded, everyone at ringside understood that they were watching greatness"
Interview with Ali's trainer, Angelo Dundee. "There are moments in which the corner has to take charge, push the man beyond his limits. But don't be fooled: You need a great fighter in order to do that"
Epic journey through underclass America, and detritus of the boxing world, in search of a small-timer who fought Muhammad Ali once, in 1961, then disappeared.
"Despite all the psychological and racial dimensions of the Ali-Frazier fights in the seventies, I now see that struggle on an almost purely individual level, as a pure contest of inner strength, athleticism, and will"
![stroker oner[?] 08 by david drexler](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3194/2832710413_1533417a5a_s.jpg "stroker oner[?] 08 by david drexler")
"If Ali was not the greatest of all time—and a more persuasive case can be made for him than for any other prizefighter—he is certainly the most important figure that the game has ever produced and its most charismatic performer"
Boxing giant most unlike his great rival, Ali. Frazier was "a bull-like man of few words with a blue-collar image and a glowering visage who in so many ways could be on an equal footing with his rival only in the ring"
One half of greatest rivalry in boxing. Three epic fights against Ali in 1970s. Won first, lost next two including brutal "Thrilla in Manila". Taunted by his opponent and never loved by the public like Ali. It rankled
Few people today can name more than a couple of current boxers but there was a time when boxing was central to American life. As this enjoyable and informative history of the sport from John L Sullivan to Manny Pacquiao shows
Wild romp through screenwriter's life, as he recalls trips to New Orleans, boxing bouts, and bizarre encounters with Fear and Loathing author. Very enjoyable but beware: Contains drugs, casual sex, crudity and profanity
