It remains one of the greatest rivalries in history. And that includes Yankees-Red Sox and Michigan-Ohio State. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought three times over 41 rounds. The fighting was brilliant, savage and enthralling.
If you are accessing this blog from a source other than Newsday's sports page, please read Wally Matthews' excellent column on Frazier on Newsday.com. And scroll down below to watch Katie Strang's video of the Matthews-Frazier interview.
Frazier, boxing's consummate warrior, once said, "If a man doesn't want to fight, you can't make him." Truer words have never been spoken. It is so easy to remain on the stool or stay on the canvas and take the count. These men never relented in the ring. They inspired each other to greatness.
Watch for yourself, courtesy of YouTube:
Highlights from the Ali-Frazier trilogy
The Fight of the Century, Ali-Frazier I
The Thrilla in Manilla -- Ali-Frazier III
Katie Strang's video for Newsday