THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 1 - MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III AFTER 50 YEARS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 May 2025
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III was called the Thrilla in Manila, and it was the third and final professional boxing match between undisputed champion heavyweight Muhammad Ali and former heavyweight world champion Joe Frazier, for the heavyweight championship of the world. It was held on October 1, 1975, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.
The contest's name is derived from Ali's rhyming brag that the fight would be "a killa and a thrilla and a chilla, when I get that gorilla in Manila." That he arrogantly recited while punching a gorilla doll that symbolized his opponent.
The 1st of October this year will mark the 50th anniversary of a truly magnificent and classic world heavyweight title fight. It was a savage and barbaric fight that has been considered by many fans and scribes as the greatest battle in the history of the heavyweight division.
Muhammad Ali, nicknamed "The Greatest", was from Louisville, Kentucky, USA. During that time he was the WBA, WBC and The Ring undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He won these titles from George Foreman in October 1974 during the very popular "Rumble in the Jungle" in Kinshasa, Zaire.
Joe Frazier, nicknamed "Smokin'Joe", was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, USA and lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was the former undisputed world heavyweight champion. He won the WBA and vacant WBC heavyweight titles in February 1970 when he stopped Jimmy Ellis in the 4th round. He lost his title to George Foreman in January 1973.
Ali earned a purse of $9,000,000 while Frazier got $5,000,000. The pre-fight record is 48–2 (34 KO)s for Ali and 32–2 (27 KOs) for Frazier. Ali was 33 years, 8 months while Frazier was 31 years, 8 months.
Ali stood at 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) while Frazier's height was 5 ft 11+1⁄2 in (182 cm). Ali's weight was 224 1⁄2 lbs (102 kg) while Frazier weighed 215 1⁄2 lbs (98 kg). Both were Orthodox style fighters.
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