It was to "Killah in Manila" for Joe Frazier (Thrilla in Manila 45th Part 2)
By Recah Trinidad PhilBoxing.com Sat, 10 Oct 2020
Muhammad Ali showed up for his third and final fight with Joe Frazier with the honest intention of competing and defending his world heavyweight crown.
This was never the case with Frazier, who reported for the Thrilla in Manila on October 1,1975 a possessed killing machine.
As a result, Ali would be exposed to what could be called a one-man riot gang.
Heavily armed Frazier, starting the fifth round of the 15 round championship, raged and rumbled his way, digging in savagely with ferocious focus to stop and destroy Ali.
Frazier did send Ali's mouthpiece flying out in the sixth round, but supreme savagery was at its fiercest in the eight when the great warrior Ali had called a gorilla, dug demonic left hook bombs to the head and liver area.
It's amazing how Ali was able to survive the blazing death blows.
Decades later, Frazier's prayer for the unforgettable championship would be revealed:
"God, give me the knowhow and power to kill this brother."
There was no knockdown.
Ali would be declared winner after Frazier was disallowed from leaving his stool for the final round.
There's endless awe at their immeasurable toughness and durability, although both great warriors would never be the same again, their lives ruined beyond repair.
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