Boxing Classics The Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier Trilogy 1971 1975 - Boxing Article Boxing Classics - The Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier Trilogy - 1971-1975 Probably the most famous rivalry in boxing history. When Muhammad Ali was stripped of his championship in 1967 following refusal of the draft to fight in the Vietnam War the heavyweight championship was thrown into a state of confusion The World Heavyweight Championship was again split into 2 parts. The WBA elected to hold an eight man elimination tournament to crown a new champion. The tournament was eventually won by Jimmy Ellis who defeated Jerry Quarry in the final. The WBC elected Buster Mathis and an undefeated fighter by the name of Joe Frazier to contest their vacant title. Frazier knocked out Mathis to claim the title. The title was again undisputed when Frazier knocked out Ellis in 1970. So Frazier was the undisputed champion but the peoples champion was waiting for him. The man who said that eliminations were imitations Muhammad Ali. Meanwhile after a 3 year exile Muhammad Ali was granted his boxing licence back after the Supreme Court ruled in his favour. He proceeded to beat Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena in his two comeback fights. After knocking out Bob Foster in Nov 1970 in defence of his title Frazier signed to fight Ali in the first ever battle of undefeated champions. The venue for the fight was to b...
