THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 18: JOE FRAZIER VS. GEORGE FOREMAN FIRST ENCOUNTER - THE SUNSHINE SHOWDOWN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 08 Oct 2025
After defeating Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision, Joe Frazier was awarded The Ring heavyweight title and became the lineal heavyweight champion of the world. After his knockout victory over Ron Stander, Ali tried to arrange a rematch with Frazier, but Frazier instead chose to face Foreman.
The undefeated Foreman had garnered 37 victories with 34 knockout wins in just four years and was the number one contender by both the WBA and WBC at the time of his first title fight against Frazier.
Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman, was billed as The Sunshine Showdown, it was held in Kingston, Jamaica and was fought on January 22, 1973, for the WBA, WBC and The Ring heavyweight championships.
The fight was short and lasted only two rounds, with Foreman scoring a technical knockout victory at 1:35 of the second round to dethrone Frazier and become the new undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Foreman assaulted and shattered Frazier all throughout the fight, chalking up six knockdowns over the defending champion.
In just less than two minutes after the opening bell, Foreman battered Frazier with a barrage of punches and then sent him down to the canvas by connecting a right uppercut. Frazier was able to stand up.
Foreman continued his superiority and seventeen seconds left in the round, he hit Frazier with an uppercut that toppled him and fell on his knees. Just seconds after Frazier got up, a Foreman released a series of punches that sent the champion on his back and he almost wasn't able to survive the first round.
Frazier went out of his corner for the second round but Foreman floored him again shortly after the round began by landing an overhand right.
Foreman then looked toward the champion's corner and was reported to say to Yancey Durham, Frazier's long time trainer, that if he would not step in and stop the fight, Foreman was going to "kill" Frazier. This was followed by a fifth knockdown, and then swiftly Frazier was decked for the sixth time after a powerful right.
By this time Angelo Dundee, who was at ringside witnessing the bout, was begging for the bout to be stopped. Referee Arthur Mercante Sr. finally stopped the bout after the sixth knockdown.
Foreman was finally declared the winner by technical knockout at 1:35 of the second round. George Foreman became, at the time of his victory over Frazier, the third-youngest heavyweight champion in history after Floyd Patterson and Muhammad Ali.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIAL WEIGH-INS AND PRESS CONFERENCE FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS’ HIGHLY ANTICIPATED U.S. DEBUT TOMORROW, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025Tagaytay Hosts 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Disabled 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 29 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S ‘THE CONTENDER SERIES’ AT SAVE MART CENTER IN FRESNO, SAT., NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025BIRMINGHAM WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS BEN WHITTAKER PREPARES FOR MATCHROOM DEBUT
Fri, 28 Nov 2025Coach Marvin Somodio: Full of Life and Punch at 42
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Boston Ends Detroit's Winning Streak at 12; Celtics Trip Pistons, 117-114 at the Garden
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 28 Nov 20257-Eleven Run 2026 set on Jan. 31-Feb. 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 27 Nov 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
Wed, 26 Nov 2025WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
Wed, 26 Nov 2025