Today In History ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier was the world heavyweight boxing champion from February 1970 until January 1973. He was born on January 12, 1944, in Beaufort, South Carolina. Ali vs Frazier first fight dubbed the “Fight of the Century,” took place at New York’s Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971. Despite being lighter and shorter than Ali, Frazier, in front of a packed house, wore Ali down. Frazier took the fight with a unanimous decision, delivering Ali his first professional defeat. Their final battle came in 1975 in the Philippines. Dubbed the “Thrilla in Manila,” it’s considered the sport’s greatest fight by some boxing historians. The match lasted 14 bruising rounds before Frazier, battling eyesight issues, was prevented from coming out for the final round by his trainer, Eddie Futch. It was the “closest thing to dyin’ I know of,” Ali later said of the fight. CARTER™️ Magazine carter-mag.com #wherehistoryandhiphopmeet #historyandhiphop365 #cartermagazine #carter #joefrazier #boxing #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #history #staywoke #blacktwitter https://www.instagram.com/p/CnUIlYxrwL9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
