The beginning to this epic saga began in 1967, when the WBA stripped Muhammad Ali of the heavyweight title and suspended his boxing license for defying U.S Army. Three years later, Joe Frazier became the undisputed heavyweight champion on February 16, 1970. In December of that year, Ali and Frazier signed the contract for their first fight in Madison Square Garden dubbed "Fight of the Century." Frazier landed a left hook in the 15th round that sent Ali careening to the canvas. The unbeaten Frazier won a unanimous decision as he handed Ali the first defeat of his pro career. Frazier then lost his title two years later, which opened the door for a rematch. In 1974, in a fight to determine who would get the next shot at the heavyweight championship, Ali won a decision in Madison Square Garden, though Frazier and several sportswriters, thought he had won. After Ali won the title, the third and final bout between these to giants would take place on October 1, 1975 at the Coliseum in Manila. Ali promised it would be, “A killa and a thrilla and a chilla when he got the gorilla in Manila”. 28,000 people packed the arena and an estimated 700 million people watched the fight worldwide. The two behemoths pounded their way through 14 exhilarating and exhausting rounds. Joe Frazier's trainer wouldn't all his fighter to come out for the 15th round. Following the fight, Ali comments that this was the closest thing to death he had experienced. It was probably the only way to close the chapter on such a rivalry.

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