The photo shown here is perhaps the most famous fight photo ever — of then-Cassius Clay standing over Sonny Liston to win the heavyweight title in 1964.
But, I was only 5 years old that day & not yet a boxing fan.
So, my favorite memory of Ali was in March 1971, when I had just turned 12 years old & was able to attend the closed-circuit broadcast of the “Fight of the Century” between the unbeaten champ, Smokin’ Joe Frazier & the undefeated Ali.
I remember being in shock that Frazier hit Ali so often early throughout the fight and I actually remember gasping when Ali hit the canvas from a vicious Frazier left hook that likely broke his jaw just before the end of the 15th & final round.
Even though the fight went the distance, Ali’s aura of invincibility was gone forever, but what was left was the deep respect he earned from even his toughest critics.
Even in losing, there was no doubt that Ali – who won both rematches against Frazier – was the greatest heavyweight…No, make that the greatest boxer I ever saw lace on some gloves.
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