MARCH 8, 1971 • NEW YORK CITY

THE FIGHT
OF THE
CENTURY

UNDEFEATED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS JOE FRAZIER AND MUHAMMAD ALI MEET AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. 15 ROUNDS. THE CANVAS & THE CROWN.

THE
UNSTOPPABLE
VS THE
IMMOVABLE

The buildup was unprecedented. Stripped of his title years prior, Muhammad Ali returned to face the reigning undisputed champion, Joe Frazier. Two men, both undefeated, representing fundamentally opposing styles and cultural ideologies. The world stopped to watch.

TALE OF THE TAPE

FIGHTERJOE FRAZIERMUHAMMAD ALI
RECORD26-0 (23 KOs)31-0 (25 KOs)
STYLESWARMEROUT-BOXER
REACH73"78"
Joe Frazier reading a newspaper
Joe Frazier reviewing press coverage before a bout. Credit: Hans Peters for Anefo (CC BY-SA 3.0 nl)

15 ROUNDS OF WAR

ALI'S RHYTHMIC SPEED MET FRAZIER'S RELENTLESS PUNISHING POWER. A GRUELING TEST OF WILL REQUIRING EVERY OUNCE OF STAMINA.

Joe Frazier standing over Muhammad Ali after a knockdown in the 15th round
The definitive moment: Frazier drops Ali in the 15th round. Credit: United Press International (Public Domain)
Joe Frazier awarded the Order of the Palmetto
Frazier's legacy immortalized. Awarded the Order of the Palmetto. Credit: TheDigitel Beaufort (CC BY 2.0)

UNANIMOUS
DECISION

FRAZIER RETAINS THE TITLE

After 15 grueling rounds culminating in a dramatic knockdown of Ali by a vicious left hook, the judges rendered their verdict. Joe Frazier retained the undisputed heavyweight championship, handing Muhammad Ali his first professional defeat. Both men left the ring fundamentally changed, bound together forever in boxing history.

JUDGES' SCORECARDS:
ARTHUR MERCANTE: 8-6-1
ARTIE AIDALA: 9-6-0
BILL RECHT: 11-4-0