When I think of flashpoints in my life with my dad, nothing comes to mind more quickly than my respect for Muhammad Ali. Like so many American Vets, he despised Ali’s stance on military service and applauded when Ali was stripped of his World Heavyweight title for refusing entrance into the army in 1967. I, on the other hand, thought Ali showed commitment and courage by sticking to his beliefs that the war was wrong and that he had a constitutional right to refuse induction. His case would eventually be upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States and was once again issued a license to fight and the opportunity to recapture the title he had never lost in the ring. There was one little problem though...a fearsome slugger who was known throughout the boxing world simply as ‘Smokin’ Joe’.
Joe Frazier had earned the heavyweight title by winning an elimination battle with other top contenders after Ali had been stripped of the belt. Ali did not think the new ‘champ’ was in his league and continued to call himself the ‘people’s champ’. After winning three fights in his comeback, Ali was pitted against Frazier for the Heavyweight Championship it what was accurately billed as ‘the fight of the Century’. It was all of that. Frazier was ahead on points as they entered the 14th round, but not convincingly. The bell sounded and in short order, Frazier caught Ali square on the jaw with one of his devastating left hooks and sent the former champ to the canvas. Ali regained his feet and continued the fight to its conclusion...a sign that maybe he was tougher than most experts had allowed...but lost the decision...and the claim that he was the best in the world.
Frazier would lose his title to a young slugger named George Foreman, but would again fight Ali...and lose...in trying to get another shot at the title. Ali would regain the title from Foreman with possibly the greatest upset in the history of boxing in 1974 and would again turn to Frazier...his arch nemesis...for one more fight. The ‘Thrilla in Manila’ would become a fight for the ages, with both men pushing themselves to their absolute limits to win this battle of mind and body. In the 14th round, a battered Frazier, unable to see through swollen eyes, would be forced by his trainer to throw in the towel and concede the fight to Ali. Ali stated afterwards that it was the hardest fight he had ever had and the closest he thought he could come to death without actually dying.
‘The Greatest’ could not have been the greatest without Smokin’ Joe Frazier. Joe died yesterday from liver cancer at the age of 67; having forgiven Ali for the years of taunting Ali had done at his expense. Though never friends, they both seemed to recognize what each had done for the other and the absolute passion and professionalism each brought to the sport they had dominated in the 60’s and 70’s. I will always remember Frazier as the dogged brawler who sent my hero to the canvas, but for whom I had complete respect as a fighter and a man. You were really something special, Smokin’ Joe. Thanks for such wonderful memories.
I went to the track for a workout after closing the polls at 7:30 p.m. The stadium was illuminated by a bright, almost full moon and I had no trouble seeing as I completed my first mile and headed into the bleachers. I did four sets of steps before returning to the track for another half mile run, repeating this pattern two more times before finishing with a jog back to the car. It was nice to be able to run on a November evening without a t-shirt and I’m hoping winter holds off for another month at least.
Run/bleacher workout: 32 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.Calories burned during workout: 525.
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