I rewatched the Thrilla in Manila with Muhammad Ali. He still winced at the blows years later – The Irish Times BoxingI rewatched the Thrilla in Manila with Muhammad Ali. He still winced at the blows years laterThis week marks the 50th anniversary of one of boxing’s greatest fightsJoe Frazier takes a shot at Muhammad Ali during the first round of their 1975 'Thrilla in Manila'. Photograph: Getty Images Thomas HauserWed Oct 01 2025 – 18:08 In 1989, with Muhammad Ali sitting beside me, I watched a tape of Ali’s historic triumph over Joe Frazier in Manila, which took place 50 years ago this week. For months, Ali and I had been reviewing his fights for a book I was writing as his authorised biographer. We’d watched Henry Cooper knock Cassius Clay to the brink of oblivion with a picture-perfect left hook. From the vantage point of my livingroom, that had amused Muhammad. We’d seen Joe Frazier put Ali on the canvas in Round 15 of their first encounter at Madison Square Garden, and Ken Norton break Muhammad’s jaw. Those punches were safely ensconced in the annals of history, as were the thudding blows that George Foreman landed in Zaire.
Published: October 1, 2025 5:10 pm
Source: The Irish Times — Read original