The first match-up between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, generally referred to as "The Fight of the Century," was telecast on closed circuit television. This was indeed to be the "Fight" pitting the unbeaten ex-champion against the unbeaten current champ. Ali had been stripped of his title after refusing to be inducted into the U. S. Armed Services on religious grounds. His record thus far was 31-0 with 25 knock-outs. Frazier's was 26-0 with 23 knockouts. The bout was fairly even until the 11th round when Frazier caught Ali with a left hook that nearly floored him. Ali tried to recover in the next three rounds , but Frazier was ahead on the scorecards. In the 15th round Frazier connected with a right sending Ali to the mat, ending the first of three matches. Ali won the next fight and the last, the famous "Thrilla from Manilla, ending Joe Frazier's boxing career.
