Larry Merchant on Ali vs Frazier 1

[@lordburlap4514]

I will say it again......the greatest sporting event in history and an epic fight.....

[@frankaltrui3395]

I still say that Frazier’s performance was the greatest performance in boxing ever…period. Ali blistered him with combo after combo. The fight was fought at a middleweight’s pace. Joe kept coming. Taking 3 to give one. He would have died before taking a step back, & he damn near did. He needed to be super human to pull that fight off & he was. He was never the same fighter after that.

[@pabloseykata6930]

Ali-Frazier I :was a damn good fight"?? Are you kidding me?! The first Ali--Frazier fight was billed as "The Fight of the Century". And it lived up to every bit of its hype.

[@japsley6172]

This was a great fight! If you watch the whole fight instead of highlights I think that you will see it was a close one. At the time I did think Ali had possibly shaded it, but smokin Joe got the decision and who could begrudge that great champion his due. He wobbled Ali and put him down. I was and I think other people were shocked that “the great one” was shown to be human. Joe Frazier was connecting freely with big punches. The warning was there in Ali’s previous fight, only his second in 4 years against Oscar Bonavena. The tough Argentinian troubled him greatly and caught him often. We were used to Ali hardly being touched or if someone connected well, it was in isolation. So when we see someone ploughing into him, I think the focus was more on what he was hit with, than what he was giving back, which was plenty! For me Ali was never the same after the lay off. He was then a great fighter but in a different, more conventional way. He showed a phenomenal chin and bravery and greater power. Prior to the lay off he was like no world champion heavyweight had ever been.

[@deacontheseer4804]

J Apsley America stole Ali's best years. That why he lost. Otherwise he may never have lost.

[@miraclemeditations3919]

J Apsley - excellent commentary. You know what you are talking about. Weren't those the best of times!

[@terrenceliburd8655]

Ali had lost most of his foot speed, hand speed was in tact but his legs were not there for him. He played the ropes waaaaay to much. Fraizer in spite of the shots he took kept his fight plan in tact... constant head movement, plowing forward, and that evil left hook.

[@trusttruth6097]

I think Ali won 10 rounds. If he had 30 seconds more at the end of round nine he would have stopped Frazier either then or hurt him to the point soon after. Would loved to see if without his layoff they fought in 68 or early 69. Think Ali moves and dominates.

[@japsley6172]

Miraclemeditations thank you! Yes amazing days!

[@arealmench]

The build up and the anticipation of that fight was far beyond any other event in the 20th century thru today. Nothing else comes close.

[@JahleelX-xx9wd]

Nothing else ever will.

[@saintcruzin3190]

Frazier left it all in the first fight, never the same...

[@stuballs42]

Neither fighter was the same after that fight! Frazier or Ali !

[@rockyfish3115]

That is 110% the truth, people don't realise that the pressure fighter's only have 2/3 - 4 if there lucky good fights, he beat Ali but it took so much from him including the start of blindness in one eye

[@TheSands83]

Nah he was never the same after manilla

[@PunchPerfectPlayer]

he still had plenty left after that fight, he was done after the 3rd Ali fight

[@Ffeoli1039]

@@PunchPerfectPlayer he definitely wasn't the same after the first. He was maybe 80% of what he was in the 3rd fight. Still great though

[@pabloseykata6930]

Ali said it himself about The Fight of The Century. Ali said he didn't know how tough the fight with Frasier was going to be. Ali said if he had known how tough the Fight with Frasier was going to be, hei would have trained harder than he did. And Ali--Frasier II proved that Ali had learned ALL this lessons he needed to from Ali-Frasier I. Angelo Dundee always thought that Ali won Ali-Frasier I.

[@rickallen8158]

I respect your opinion but I can’t agree, Ali couldn’t get into any better condition than he was for the 1st fight, he was at least 4-5 years past his peak in ’71 due mostly to the long lay-off and no matter what or how you lose your sharpness, as Ali had, you can never turn back the clock. As far as the 2nd Frazier fight, I counted where Ali held Frazier 140 times in that fight and was never warned by the referee; he would throw a 2 punch combination and immediately grab and hold Frazier before Frazier could punch back, I don’t call that being in condition, I think Ali should have been embarrassed to fight that kind of fight but that was the only way he could win against Frazier, he learned that from the first fight,,, And just for the record, I was for Ali in all the Frazier fights and I respect others opinion so please respect mine!

[@pabloseykata6930]

@@rickallen8158 Ali himself said he would have trained harder if he knew how tough Frazier was gonna be. I think gong in to The Fight of the Century Ali thought he would have an easy Fight. Ali was wrong. VERY wrong.

[@active.7universal]

@@rickallen8158 his stamina was half of what he got it up 2 in the second Frazier bout .. fact //Ali in 66 had unmatched stamina far superior to any bout from the 70's .. Ali Landed just about 100 punches in round 15 vs chuvalo go watch and count..

[@HankFinkle11]

@@rickallen8158Ali didn’t train hard for the first fight, by his own admission. In fact, I’d argue that he only trained hard for for a few post exile fights, Frazier 2, Zaire, the second Norton fight, and the second Spinks fight.

[@rickallen8158]

@@HankFinkle11 I agree with you, so if you don't bother to train hard for a professional fight and then lose, as he did for Norton, Frazier, Spinks, etc., then you're not the greatest, are you?,,,

[@lordburlap4514]

The greatest fight of all time.

[@marksoldiers230]

When everybody in Philly read the Bulletin Larry Merchant and Sandy Grady were their two headline sports columnists. In the mid 50's they were the two best sports writers. I couldn't wait to get home and read their columns.

[@StormFive]

This interviewer is a solid, competent professional. A worthy successor to Larry Merchant if he wanted to be that. It is also a fitting tribute to Larry that he would be interviewed by such a good journalist near the end of his (Larry's) career.

[@raysfonexchange]

This interviewer doesn't give enough time/pauses between Larry's replies. The man's a true legend who deserves to be listened to attentively.....

[@jp3923]

Excellent interview with Larry Merchant. Personally I believe he is very knowledgeable and unbiased in his commentary of the fights he covers and is a person of character. I always enjoy his coverage of championship bouts.

[@halwarner3326]

Biggest fight ever

[@drobson8004]

Absolutely

[@miraclemeditations3919]

Larry Merchant is one of my favorite commentators ever. He never failed to amaze me with his ability to expertly wrap up the evening events in a few well-chosen and always succinct words. HBO Boxing has never quite been the same since he left. BTW, I agree with him about the Ali-Frazier I scoring. There are no two-point rounds in New York, and Muhammad dominated more of the rounds. Two things worked in Joe's favor: no one had ever really seen Ali hit before and thus everyone -including the judges- over-reacted, and there was also the social and political bias against Ali. Even though I wasn't happy with the decision at the time, I now realize that losing this hard-fought fight was the greatest thing that ever happened to Ali's career. This was the first-time Muhammad got a real opportunity to display his chin and courage to the world and losing this decision ultimately led to Muhammad's crowning achievements- the Rumble in the Jungle and the Thrilla in Manila.

[@TooLooze]

Smokin' Joe and Ali, both heroes in more ways than one. Great fight, I was hoping for Ali, but I think Joe was too strong for anyone that night.

[@jeffriessman9693]

Ali came off a 4 year layoff. He had too be really rusty. 60s Ali beats him easily.

[@TooLooze]

@@jeffriessman9693 No disrespect to Ali; he has been my personal hero for more than 60 years.

[@active.7universal]

@@jeffriessman9693 Tru//Ali 64-67 wouldn't get hit with half those hooks from bazooka joe///Ali still won at least half those rounds in fight of the century

[@charleswaters1085]

I'm 75 now saw that fight at the oakland coliseum arena on the silver screen as I walk home alone down the dark streets home I cried like a baby I was so hurt in a was it still hurts

[@murtalasaleh7311]

Finally someone saying what we always knew that Ali won the Ali-Frasier 1

[@johnguertin3884]

You people are dreaming.... the fight was close and Frazier closed it with the knockdown... time spent in a hospital hasn't a thing to do it.... the scoring takes place prior to that..... Frazier was the aggressor the entire fight.!! yes he may have been behind in rounds but had landed the more dynamic shots.. there was an show in the 90's with Marv Albert as the host with Ali and Frazier as guests and Ali admits on the show that Frazier won the first fight...

[@w900L]

John Guertin thank you. Frazier was the clear winner with the knockdown.

[@KTF0]

Yup, Frazier 100% deserved it. I've rewatched it many times. Frazier more decisive his rounds and clinched the win with the knockdown and winning the 15th.

[@bearxbunny1835]

EXACTLY!!! Hospital time makes ZERO difference, Frazier walked away from the fight JUST FINE!!!

[@rockyfish3115]

That he did, frazier was never the same fighter after that, the only reason Ali won the 2nd fight was frazier was not the same man and frazier could of won the 3rd had Eddie futch allowed frazier to continue but Joe was blind in one eye by then,

[@TheSands83]

I agree frazier won it with that knockdown.. the third fight I had it 7 rounds a piece.frazier won every round 5-10

[@richardbranton7396]

Lol Ali won all 3 fights, Merchant was spot on on why he didn't get the first decision, Ali never particularly complained , More so he said he lost the first and won the other two many many times.Joe was in the best condition of his life and totally motivated whilst Ali had had along lay off with only two fights in 6 weeks , they went for it too soon against an active fighter and only just "lost" no way if Ali had been active would Joe have ever been champion ,he' d have been remembered as one of the best too have never been champion,without those 3 fights rightly or wrongly Joe would have been a footnote ,Ali had so many definining moments, Joe needed Ali more than Ali needed him to cement his place in history despite. what Ali says about there rivalry.Ali also said that in his prime ( although he really didn't have a prime , he was robbed of that) that he felt that a prime Ezzard Charles and Sonny Liston would be the only ones to give him any real trouble

[@pbennett13]

It's a toss up for me between this and Louis/Schmeling 2, in terms of magnitude, stakes, and image for America.

[@kelvinkloud]

agree... there were others too. j johnson vs jefferies was as big or bigger. it had as much social & cultural impact also. dempsey vs carpentier & vs tunney were also huge gated and media events.

[@winycityfightfan]

Great point!

[@charlesmelonson1912]

Thank You Paul

[@granvillewalkerjr.8394]

Louis vs Schmeling II was not only a tremendous sporting event, but a political firestorm with an imminent World War in the backdrop. Hitler used Schmeling as a pawn in his "master race" propaganda campaign. Louis' domination and demolition of his German opponent not only vindicated his loss in the previous match, but it was viewed nationwide as a symbolic victory of American values over Nazism. In that moment, Louis arguably became America's first "crossover" celebrity (Jesse Owens' Olympic fame notwithstanding). All Americans, irrespective of skin color, cheered the decisive win in a singular voice. As huge as the Fight of the Century deservedly was, and with Viet Nam having just ended, no such international furor surrounded the event.

[@nicolas4you]

The Magnitude was probably about the same of course I was not alive for Louis Schmeling my father was only 2 years old but I was 10 for Ali Frazier 1 and boy I saw the pictures the magazine's the photo's during the fight, daily news and post with about 25 pictures seems like the whole paper was dedicated to the Fight. The different was the fight itself. Ali vs Frazier more than matched the hype. If that was possible, that's how good this fight was. It was prime Frazier vs a close to prime Ali. Ali needed a couple more fights to be ready for Joe, but the supreme court was soon to make a decision about Ali future so Ali took the March 8th date and the rest is history.

[@Paolo7219]

Ali said it himself about his first fight with Frazier. Ali said that he didn't think Joe would be as tough a fighter as he turned out to be in that first fight. Ali then said he should have trained harder for the Fight than he did. Larry Merchant has it exactly right; nobody has a complaint about Frazier winning this fight, but like Larry, I can see Ali winning this Fight. And the first Ali Frazier fight showed everyone that when it came to Gameness, Ali took second place to NO ONE.

[@michaeldavis2021]

My dad has been dead since1979. He always thought the fight was a draw. He did not think Frazier did enough to be the outright winner. Dad went to see fight in 1971 on close circuit TV.

[@rexrexrex67]

I think the Ali vs Frazier 71' was the greatest fight in history,the third fight Frazier was older ,broken and wasn't in as good a shape as in 71' so it wasn't the the best of the three fights.

[@almercyyou2971]

71 not then too because Ali just been exiled..prior that fight...

[@capncanuck2064]

Uh no , " The Thrilla in Manila " was the greatest heavyweight fight in history. The first fight was one of the greatest , but the third was the greatest.

[@mpakwood]

No matter how we debate or argue the decision, this fight paved the way for the greatest rivary in boxing history and perhaps the most exciting trilogy of fights ever. There would have been no Thrilla in Manila if it weren't for the fight of the century.

[@abdulqaadir6510]

Wow even Ali himself thought he won the first fight, but he never complained. AMAZING

[@afsanaparvez6112]

lol he did complain by denying it and called it a white man decision point is Frazier won

[@daisychain8622]

He only said he won it public. In private he agreed that Frazier won.

[@awakening2846]

@Coatesville Red Raiders And boy wasn't Ali so right, even now its so much there...and the explanation given above by Larry seconds it perfectly, judges and referee could not be wrong together. Nevertheless, Frazier was a brave fighter, apart from surviving in Ali's matches, he got up 13 times in 4 rounds against Foreman, which speaks volume of his fighting spirit.

[@awakening2846]

@Coatesville Red Raiders Frazier was black, Coastesville, but was supported by those who unlawfully took Ali's title away 3.5 years back. They just needed excuse, and that knock down did the trick for them. How would you explain Frazier spending over a week in hospital despite being the winner? Ali did not even went to hospital. Anyway, lets agree to disagree, if you still want to say that the reasons forwarded by Merchant, myself, or for that matter other judges or the referee opinion. In any case its history, and if Ali accepted it (though not agreed to it), why should we debate? Yes, right to express one's opinion is what we did, so lets close the chapter.

[@apefilms7221]

After Ali Frazier 1, Muhammad was in the locker room with ice on his swollen jaw, while Diana Ross was crying at his feet. The fight promoter Jerry Parenchio came in to check on Ali. Muhammad Ali then lifted up Diana Ross's head, and said, Diana, I want you to meet the man who paid me two and a half million dollars to have my ass whooped by Joe Frazier. Ali knew he lost. He just wasn't ready to admit it publicly.

[@thespy7795]

I loved Joe Frazier, but take away the 11th and 15th rounds and Ali put a monumental ass whipping on Joe Frazier! I STILL say Ali won!

[@Ffeoli1039]

Clinch work didn't help Ali in the scoring. Joe just looked more in control and fought at his rhythm.

[@rickallen8158]

NY scores heavily for aggression, Joe was the aggressor throughout the 15 rounds, Ali was the one who broke off all the exchanges, Ali was the one who did all the holding, Ali was one who did the clowning, how can anyone say Frazier didn't win,,,

[@thewisetzar5363]

Two undefeated Gold Olym Medallist All time greats fighting each other. Top 2 best win in boxing along with Duran vs Leonard I.

[@johnseymore4655]

For Ali to be exiled 3 years and 8 months out of the game, to come back with a 6 week notice drop the weight, take on the top 2 contenders and stop them both, then go 15 grueling rounds with joe and put him in icu for 30 days is remarkable in itself, remember joe was a active fighter. Personally i thought Ali should have at least given himself a year to get back in his or should i say what i thought would be in fighting condition. This just shows how much we over look his natural talent as a fighter. The 11-4 scoring was ridiculous no way he only won 4 rounds gtfoh. It was personal with that judge. However Ali won the next 2 battles between them. Not taking anything away from Joe, but to let a man who hasn't fought in almost 4 years beat yo ass like that and put you in the hospital for a month you have to ask yourself damn dud he really win. Anyway much respect to both men we owe you both a debt of gratitude for what you did for the sport, and us as fans ty both very very much.

[@apefilms7221]

Muhammad Ali did not put Joe Frazier in the ICU for 30 days. That's simply not true. Joe Frazier was already being treated for issues of hypertension and diabetes prior to the fight. Because he over exerted himself, pushing his body way beyond its limits, his pre-existing conditions were exacerbated. Joe Frazier attended the post-fight news conference and returned to Philadelphia. However, his condition worsened over the next eight days and on March 16th, 1971 he was admitted to the hospital, again for the condition of hypertension and diabetes. Muhammad Ali did not give Joe Frazier hypertension. Muhammad Ali did not give Joe Frazier diabetes. Muhammad Ali did not put Joe Frazier in the hospital. Joe Frazier put Joe Frazier in the hospital due to what he did to his body by pushing it beyond its limits when he was already ill prior to the fight.

[@hammer44head]

Joe going to the hospital was a result of his high blood pressure and his kidneys shut down. I don't remember Ali doing any body punching in that fight. Joe's face was swollen up but that doesn't cause your kidneys to shut down. It was a great fight but I had joe winning. Ali did all the clinching which hurt him in the end and the clowning around in the middle rounds. Ali knew he lost and even said so many years after he retired. RIP to both our great warriors ALI and SMoke!

[@nicolas4you]

Two great fighter's Joe did have slightly high blood pressure but his after this fight was extremely high 160/105 also kidneys can fail from the medication and or the trauma caused by the tremendous punishment he took in this fight his BP was close to normal before the fight it took awhile to consistently bring the BP to normal levels...Ali would go on from this fight to win the title again...but Joe WAS never the same fighter he was not even close..as when he and Ali fought on 3-12-71 in the Fight of the Century

[@brucescott4261]

hammer44head ...The human body reacts to traumatic blows to the head. You learn that from basic biology.

[@apefilms7221]

@@brucescott4261 Joe Frazier had pre-existing conditions of high blood pressure and hypertension prior to the bout. They were already issues going into the fight. Joe was already mildly sick with these two issues, and then simply pushed his body way, way, way too far. The conditions worsened over the next week and then he was finally admitted to a hospital to get them under control on March 16th, 8 days after the fight. Muhammad Ali didn't put Joe Frazier in the hospital. Joe Frazier put Joe Frazier in the hospital due to how far he was willing to push himself to defeat Ali.

[@drr3275]

Why Ali is The Greatest, Ali had two boxing careers, Frazier only had one, Ali had more fights in his second career than he did in his first and all this after 3.5 years off, Frazier pales in comparison.

[@rockyfish3115]

Frazier was the aggressor and clearly won, Ali thought because frazier was in hospital he won, but frazier was a pressure fighter and they only have 2,3,4 good fights then there spent, but that fight took so much from frazier

[@marksoldiers230]

While Ali and Frazier were great, don't forget how great the middleweight division was at that time.

[@pabloseykata6930]

Arthur Mercante, the Referee for Ali Frazier I scored the Fight 8-6-1 Frazier. I'd say that's about right. Ali DID dish out more punishment than he took. Joe just stood up to it better than Ali on that night. I've always said it: Joe's hook in the 15th was amazing, but equally amazing is that Ali got up from that punch.

[@blite13]

Ali took as much as he gave......you can't see what the body shots did, you can see Ali's jaw was a mess too. Watch Ali in his corner after the 1st fight, he is not there, he took a beating. You Ali fan boys like to pretend that Ali was never hurt = he was hurt every round of the fight.

[@ioannisskiotes5031]

Ref of that fight Arthur Mercante scored it best - 8-6-1 Frazier. If Ali had won the 15th it's a draw, then scoring goes to NY supplemental point system which Joe may have won with that big 11th round. He also said of Ali getting knocked down in the 15th, "I never saw a fighter get hit that hard that late in a fight and not only get up, but get up at the count of three." Ali needed a little more time to prepare but needed the money since the Supreme Court decision on his draft case was looming with a five year prison sentence hanging over his head: thus, time was not on his side. Yet, it was the true Fight Of The Century.

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

The greatest one day sporting event in history.

[@haydarh5446]

larry merchant have deeper insights more than any sports reporter

[@JAMAICADOCK]

A Fight of the Century that lived up to the billing. Afterward commentators for other sports would compare great rivalries to Ali/ Frazier. England vs Australia was cricket's equivalent to Ali/ Frazier - or McEnroe/ Borg was the Ali/ Frazier of tennis. It was that big of a fight,

[@MrTee-hw7mp]

To me, Ali’s finest moment was when he picked himself up almost immediately after receiving the most vicious blow to the head you can imagine. Frazier was the better fighter that night but Ali only gained the respect of his detractors. I remember news footage of one man in attendance leaving Madison Square Gardens. He was asked by the reporter what his final thoughts on the fight were; “Frazier may have won, but Ali is 10 times the man I thought he was!” Or something along those lines.

[@brucescott4261]

Tom Barylski ...Frazier's left hook landed on Ali's jaw. The latter was up at the count of three.

[@heavymeddle28]

Ali gone almost 4 yrs and sent Joe to the hospital 30 days got KO'd in 15 and came back... Even if Joe won Ali was the winner

[@dannycool59x49]

only one winner that night, fraizer not ali a loss is a loss

[@blite13]

Joe was having kidney problems, that is why he had to keep going back to the hospital......Ali spent a lot of time in the hospital after Manilla.

[@paolovega]

grandiso Larry!

[@jayedwards4787]

Merchant was alone in claiming Ali won the first fight…at the time, no one doubted Frazier won .

[@zabaleta66]

The result was right.....it was tough but the knockdown put a stamp on the result. The rest of that last round was absolutely brutal. Ali got clobbered like I've never seen before, or after! Frazier finished over the top of Ali in the end. You could say Ali built a good lead going into the second half of the fight but even some of those earlier rounds weren't clearcut...Frazier, for the most part, got stronger as the fight went on. In a way, Ali may have won the boxing match but Frazier definitely won the fight! The decision was correct.

[@cyrillayman7431]

Ali vs Frazier 1 was the first time that we had an undefeated champion against undefeated challenger in the heavy weight division.

[@jonpaul9514]

cyril layman they were both undefeated champions clown

[@rodrobson5146]

I agree with Larry's assessment of the fight. the scoring was strange but like Larry said Joe won the fight no problem. Ali and Joe were different but exceptional fighters. RIP Muhammad Ali xx

[@cyrillayman7431]

I am one of the few that also had Ali winning a close fight.

[@dominicpiscopo7915]

YOU ARE ALL ALI GLORY SEEKERS JOE BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF ALI N YOUR ALL TO STUBBORN TO ADMIT THE TRUTH

[@brucescott4261]

@@dominicpiscopo7915 ...That fight was extremely close, PERIOD!!! Frazier was hospitalized for approximately six weeks. Ali suffered a swollen jaw, was carefully examined by a superb medical team, and was later released from the hospital within one hour. Ali checked in on Frazier before he left.

[@brucescott4261]

cyril layman ...Meet another one, right here.

[@jayedwards1205]

Two clueless people, along with the idiot Merchant ... nobody thought Ali won that fight , then, or at any time since then ....it was UNANIMOUS, with one judge having it 11-4 for Frazier...

[@nbanbarichmoneyboy5112]

I think I know why this old man hates some of the fighters today is because he misses the fighters back in the day

[@everettalan1918]

Fight of the Century by far the best of the 3...Frazier won the battle Ali won the War....

[@johnchomet6967]

Steve you missed one Larry's old enough to been alive when Joe Louis fought Max Schmeling the second time around at Yankee Stadium that had to be the most politically important fight in history

[@10-4-goodbuddy]

Merchant got old.... this man used to be polished and handsome but he’s still the MAN🥊

[@bearxbunny1835]

If you think Ali won the first fight YOU ARE HIGH, and biased!!! Frazier may not have won all the rounds, but he won the BIG rounds and by knocking him down in the 15th that sealed the deal!!! Also, IMO, Frazier knocking him down in the first fight was equal to Ali's 2 unanimous decisions....... Ali never knocked down Frazier!!! And DAMN RIGHT LARRY Frazier ALWAYS brought out the truth in his opponents!!!

[@princeali1786]

I had Ali ahead and winning the fight. Frazier ended up In the hospital not for a week but almost 30 days. Ali, was in and out for an hour just to get his jaw x-Rayed, so, via damage Ali won again. RIP ALI RIP JOE ! Two Great warriors !!!

[@dannycool59x49]

fraizer gave it his absolute best and it showed

[@TheSands83]

Frazier beat Ali in that first fight

[@joevass5172]

Fights are decided in the ring not the hospital.

[@princeali1786]

@@joevass5172 Really ? Then explained what happened to Frazier after this fight ? For he was never the same - he was washed up and pretty much a punching bag. Yes, the ring is where it counts the beating you take determines who really won. In my opinion- also, Ali wasn’t gong to get any help from the Judges for he was label a draftdoger and a racist and the establishment wanted him to lose. One judge had it 10-5 Frazier ???? Are you kidding me ?

[@joevass5172]

@@princeali1786 What happened after the fight is not relevant. I agree that Frazier was never the same after this fight. Again not relevant. Two judges and the referee gave it to Frazier. No judge had it 10 -5 to Frazier. the scores were 8-6-1 (referee Mercante), the judges had it 9-6 and 11-4. Get your facts straight.

[@jt86tn]

It's hard for me to understand RJJ still fighting because of money issues. I'm certainly not saying it's not true it's just puzzling. Of course I don't know his financial situation, debts, etc. but I'm sure HBO pays him well and he was once the top fighter in the sport with endorsements and such. Maybe he lives an expensive lifestyle? I have no idea but I really wish he would hang the gloves up for good and stick with commentating. I don't want to see he getting knocked out again and I certainly don't want to see him knocking out "fans".

[@redbackshanto5828]

Sorry sir joe was 40 days “hospital”

[@paulcollopy4043]

Took longer than I thought for merchant to lose his objectivity. 8:00 mark.

[@ernc1941]

Joe Frazier won the first fight fight against Ali. He hit Ali often and hard and hurt Ali in almost every round. Frazier chased Ali throughout the fight. Look at Ali’s body language after the last round. He knows he has lost. Ali never seemed to be able to evade Joe’s devastating left hook with which he subdued Ali.

[@nepaliguy6537]

the judges were biased and had personal grudge with Ali.

[@MyVeryHappyDay]

RIP Larry. You have not been missed.

[@EdenHazardFC10]

I agree with Larry, I also had Ali winning the fight.

[@iamtman1]

I thought Ali won 8-7 rds, but gave Frazier two 10-8 rds, 11th and 15th, so on points I would have given Frazier edge, but it was officially scored on rounds, therefore I thought Ali won fight 1 as well.

[@mikemike7345]

soup and old clothes x

[@mikemike7345]

soup and old clothes Smoking joe was in the Hospital for 2 weeks after that fight

[@nobbytang]

Joe M hahahaha ..load of crap ....smokin Joe set the pace and you can't compare a little jab with the constant big left hooks of Joe ...the pace Joe set was too fast for Ali and he hated it !!...

[@user-rq5qt9dq7g]

Ali won 10 of the 15 rounds in the 1st fight. Yes, Joe had Ali hurt badly in the 11th and did knock Ali down in the 15th, however if you watch the fight objectively and not as a fan, you would score the fight 143 to 140 for Ali.

[@stuballs42]

Lets get real here Larry ,how many times did Joe get pushed down behind the neck or head through the entire fight, and NEVER even got warned by the ref.! Clay took Joe to lightly and LOST !

[@BobSmith-said]

I don’t see how they gave Joe Frazier that fight

[@rudimwongozi2169]

There was more money available for Mayweather vs Pacquiao. More money in the economy. More different and diverse media for Mayweather vs Pacquiao. That doesn't mean Mayweather vs Pacquiao was a bigger event than Ali vs Frazier. It wasn't.

[@pabloseykata6930]

Larry Merchant is right. Ali-Frazier I lived up to all of its hype--and the fight was billed as "The Fight of the Century"!!! Ali said it himself about this Fight. Ali said he would have trained harder than he did; he didn't figure Joe would give him as tough a fight as Joe did. Merchant is also right; Ali dished out more punishment than he took, although Joe stood up to it better than Ali. On that night anyways. And in my opinion, the "Thrilla in Manilla" was a great fight, but it's not even close to Ali-Frazier I. Not even close imho.

[@kelvinkloud]

merchant was right. the scoring was off. if joe hadnt taken ali down on his pants, a strong argument could be made that ali won on points. I wouldnt have given it to him b/c he didnt do quite enough to take it away from the champ. but a draw war fair.

[@johnchomet6967]

Why don't you interview somebody like me who has a memory Larry Merchant can't remember what he had for lunch yesterday the reason Muhammad Ali lost that fight was not because of his legs .he didn't have the training he wasn't in shape he took the fight because he was afraid he was going to be sent to jail that the Supreme Court was going to deny his request and he would be found guilty on his appeal and he needed the money so that's why they rushed the fight and Ali was not in 100% tip top shape I would think you working for Ring magazine you would know this why do I have to tell you that

[@brucescott4261]

@Coatesville Red Raiders ...That's not an excuse, at all. Ali was illegally stripped from his title, his passports were canceled, and more, because he stood up to the government as a conscientious objector. Three months after this bout, the United States Supreme Court overturned Ali's conviction. Joseph William Frazier was hospitalized for approximately six weeks. He was never the same after this bout. Less than two years after he fought Muhammad Ali, Frazier was defeated by George Edward Foreman, Sr. The latter became the new heavyweight champion. Smokin' Joe never again regained his title.

[@paulndor848]

I thought Frazier won the first fight and the 15th round knockdown made sure. If you watch the Champions Forever extra footage Ali says he thought he lost the decision. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6qmnpRtgpl7pNk

[@rockyfish3115]

Just think how big this fight would of been if it was Rocky Marciano vs Ali

[@jimhogg9145]

Och Rocky . . . Marciano was too small, too light, and too slow, and had too short a reach. He didn't have to face the same competition. Frazier would have been too much for him imv. Foreman would have destroyed Marciano, as would many of the 70s giants. . Holmes at his peak was way superior to Marciano in my book . . . I know it's pointless to compare sporting heroes in different eras, but in boxing size is such an important factor that I suppose it's reasonable to speculate on who would have been the best . . But, Marciano? Sorry . . . Good in his time, but later, I can't see him doing anything special . . . All I'll say, again, is that Marciano had extreme difficulty with a blown up light heavy in the shape of Ezzard Charles (6 feet and 14 stone) and that Jersey Joe (same height and weight roughly as Charles), when he was nearly 40 almost did a number on him . . He fought in much less competitive times than the 70s . . So, how big a fight would it have been . . Not as big as Frazier - Ali imv, because Marciano would never have won the title had he been around in the 70s (or the 60s for that matter) . . All in my view of course, because we don't know, and can't really assume anything . .

[@nepaliguy6537]

jim hogg thank you to atleast someone who understands boxing

[@rockyfish3115]

@@jimhogg9145 are you really that stupid, go look at frazier, Ali, Holmes, Patterson etc weight in there early career they were not much bigger in fact frazier fought a few fights at the same weight as the rock

[@jimhogg9145]

Never been accused of being stupid by anyone who knew me, or by anyone with any sense if that's what you mean. The odd idiot might have thought I was a fool of course, since idiots have problems crafting intelligent thoughts or making sound judgements. But to get to your rather peculiar point: we're not talking about their early careers though are we? It's pointless enough comparing boxers from different eras, but it makes no sense whatsoever to compare a mature Marciano with those other guys before they were fully grown! Btw, unless you have a sensible point to make I won't waste any more of my time answering you, unless you're civil, in which case I'll be glad to thank you for that..

[@rockyfish3115]

@@jimhogg9145 they were fully grown men still growing I wonder why

[@242Savagery]

It's hard to imagine that some people rank the Thrilla in Manila higher than this fight. I think it must be because Ali lost, it's seen as a blemish or something. The quality of this fight, the story behind it, having two undefeated champions... Thrilla was okay but it had nothing that this one didn't, other than the Ali victory and a catchy name.

[@nkel6111]

ali had a great jaw.a fantastic jaw....but he was fool for never never preparing himself to deflect a left hook that started with henry cooper, 190 pounder henry cooper.

[@garykosloski7976]

That isnt true , ali wasnt out when frazier knocked him down in the 15th, he said he saw the punch coming and was going back when it landed. If you watch it you can see ali got right up and clearly wasnt hurt!!!! And yes you are right ali won that fight landing 3, 4, 5 punches to Frazier's 1 the whole fight!!!

[@jeffriessman9693]

Ali came off a 4 year layoff A 60's Ali beats him easily

[@wilmepelin589]

I had it 9-6 Frazier. He took 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 on my card. 10 could go either way, but it still would be 8-7 Frazier. By all the ways you judge a fight he was better. He landed much harder, cleaner shots. His defense via bobbing and weaving made Ali graze and miss a lot. He was more aggressive. They fought more on the ropes than in the center (ring generalship).

[@youtoo2233]

You got 10 wrong, Ali won that round big time

[@michaelwaldman1515]

judges had the fight 11-4 Frazier which I think was pretty close to accurate

[@roybrowne1974]

mike go fuck your self

[@manuelboyer1771]

He was legally blind

[@nicolas4you]

One idiot judge had it 11- 4 which was ridiculous other judge 9-6 and referee scored it 8-6-1 all for Frazier get it right please before commenting.

[@TheSands83]

I had it 8 frazier 6 ali 1 round tied

[@rexrexrex67]

Larry felt Ali won ,what fight was he watching?this interviewer failed in this interview,he didn't asked Larry why he told Mayweather he would punch him ?what did Mayweather say to piss him off so?

[@markant9534]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGe9lqWqaruUjc0

[@roybrowne1974]

ali won plain and simple

[@jeffa1302]

thank you

[@aaronbradley3232]

I thought the first fight was better. Then again I like Frazier better the conditions they fought under in Manila were worse but as far as fight goes the first fight was better The Thrilla in Manila it was great too but not as good as the fight of the century

[@jeffcolumbus1971]

Larry knows boxing because I know boxing telling it like it is. Ali beat Frazier and it will always be a political decision. That is boxing political

[@stawmtroopa1968]

Ali won that fight.And there was no 10 point must system or 10-8 rounds.You either won the round or you lost it.No matter how you score it Ali won 11-4 on all cards and 2 for Frazier were close and could have gone either way.Joe had 2 huge rounds but Ali destroyed him points wise

[@jeffa1302]

THANK YOU. Joe won rounds 6, 8, 11, and 15. That's all.

[@youtube-is-trash-now]

larry looks like darth sidious lol

[@vicrattlehead6386]

Yep, even the Clone wars cartoon Palpatine looks alot like Merchant.

[@rockyfish3115]

Ali still had leg movement all this crap saying he lost it, wrong he could not use it against a pressure fighter like Frazier

[@jimhogg9145]

Rocky .. of course Ali wasn't as fast on his feet, the evidence is there to be seen . . compare his fights from 65-67 with the later fights . . . . He was out for three and a half years and was in the twilight years of his career. . .The best was definitely behind him . . . I know of course, from our previous exchanges, that you're a pro Marciano anti Ali man and that you won't have it any other way . .

[@jimhogg9145]

@Coatesville Red Raiders - certainly an arguable point and I can see the logic of it. We now see boxers being very successful well past 29 for sure. My view is that had he not had that enforced and lengthy lay off then he'd have been a better fighter at 29, and thereafter, though I'd say that now and again he put on astonishing displays of boxing until 1975. But certainly, to me, he seemed noticeably slower and less agile than at 25, and as a result took a lot of punishment he might well have avoided had he not been suspended.

[@brucescott4261]

@@jimhogg9145 ...Ali was not in his twilight years until after his third meeting with Joseph William Frazier.

[@jimhogg9145]

He was still a great boxer by anyone's standards Bruce. No question, but I wish he'd jacked it in after beating Foreman. That for me was the right time. . . He was already shipping too many heavy punches and the damage was building. As a devoted fan of his from 63 on I didn't enjoy seeing him decline. The effort of both boxers in Manila was heroic for sure, and self destructive, unfortunately, and it would have been far better for both in my view if they'd called it a day at one apiece . . But, pride often obliges us to push ourselves too far . . . . . It's very likely that his best years were taken away from him . . . But, that's water under the bridge, and the past is probably even harder to change than the future . . Be well sir. .

[@mikebudzinski3879]

Cmon Joe won easy

[@rexrexrex67]

Larry is making excuses for Ali now ,that's sad considering he was on Frazier's team.

[@brucescott4261]

john chu ...You weren't even born during the Ali era.

[@brucescott4261]

@Coatesville Red Raiders ...Ali was also Athlete of the Century. Get over it. If you don't like Ali, why are you watching the youtube?

[@charleswinokoor6023]

The interviewer reminds me of a Eugene Levy character from the old SCTV show.

[@chrisbennett606]

Fraizer was never the same after the first fight Ali won the first fight according to Larry score card

[@darkpewdiepie851]

ali won the fight,but it was a close fight

[@blite13]

really? Why did Joe leave the ring with the belt?

[@stuballs42]

Look people Ali did not win this fight ,it was all Joe ! Ali laid on the ropes to much during the fight ,and was never told to stop pushing Joe down from behind the neck. Talk about Joe going to the hospital all ya want Smoking Joe won because he won the most rounds, and would have still won even if he didn't set smarty pants on his Butt! Joe Frazier never ducked anyone ,and a lot of the guys he fought during his time were always bigger men than he was .! R.I.P. Joe you have a lot of admirers still !

[@karencarman8336]

Frazier Clay 1 was not a close fight! Frazier won by a mile!

[@stephenmacdonald76]

Joe Frazier won the fight and beat Ali up

[@fabrizioruffa7705]

stephen macdonald totally agree with you

[@manuelboyer1771]

Wrong Frazier was given the decision BUT ALI BEAT FRAZIER UP He was never the same fighter again. For instance he weighed 205 for the fight never weighed that low ever. He had a pretty good jaw before the fight not after. I think he softened him up for Foreman and he punching power seemed to had diminished some

[@fabrizioruffa7705]

Manuel Boyer uuuuuffffff!!!!!!

[@lind3237]

stephen macdonald If that’s true why did Frazier spend the next month in the hospital while Ali was interviewed on a talk show just three days after the fight?

[@liteskinnedbobbybrown6256]

I had Ali winning the first fight & didn't see how the judges made a unanimous decision.But i had Joe winning the Thrilla in Manilla had he been able to finish the fight.He had the more damaging blows....simply 2 great fighters

[@richardrobinson1697]

JOE WON THIS FIGHT CLEARLY. THE KNOCKDOWN SEALED IT. ONLY ALI’S GREAT CHIN PREVENTED HIM FROM BEING KNOCKED OUT. I ALSO THINK JOE WON THE SECOND FIGHT. ALL ALI DID WAS HOLD JOE AROUND THE NECK WHEN THEY GOT CLOSE. A BETTER REF WOULD HAVE STOPPED HIM FROM DOING IT. LOOK AT THE THIRD FIGHT, NOT MUCH HOLDING!

[@thespy7795]

Take away rounds 11 and 15 and Joe took a Horrible Beating. I had Ali winning 9-6 Then and I have Ali winning 9-6 Now. I've watched this fight more than any Human Being on Earth. I know how to score Fights and Ali won this fight without question. Listen to Don Dunphy "Frazier's taking a Beating, Ali is way ahead at this point no question" and that was round 4. In fact Ali won the first 5 rounds outright!!

[@blite13]

Ali was hurt in every round.......what were you watching?

[@blite13]

plus, Dunphy was an Ali fanboy obviously.....dummies can't use their own discernment when watching a fight, have to use the announcers words as 'proof'.....smh.

[@dominicpiscopo7915]

JOE HAD WAY TOO MUCH 4 ALI TO DEAL WITH THAT DAY N IF IT WASN'T 4 THE ROPES HOLDING ALI UP HE WOULD OF BEEN KISSING CANVAS A LOT MORE THEN ONCE

[@terrenceperkins5282]

Ali beat Joe if Ali wasn't playing around so much .Joe is overrated

[@charleswaters1085]

In a way/ sorry misprint

[@ecdctechmma]

the biggest fight in boxing isnt ali vs frazier joe louis vs max schemeling 2 wsa the biggest nothing even comes close

[@RRR-is3rf]

Ali Fraizer 1 stopped a war yes in Belfast . The war bestween the break away Stalinist wing of the iRA and the Provisional IRA . And the war stopped because Ali Fraizer 1 was comming on television . Thats in the HBO documentary Ali Fraizer one nation indivisible .

[@dominicpiscopo7915]

ALI WAS CLEARLY BEATEN HE WAS IN TROUBLE THE WHOLE FIGHT LONG OPEN YOUR BLIND EYES

[@mosab643]

what is he talking about? the judges didn't have it close at all...9-6 isn't close

[@winycityfightfan]

listening is a skill, go back and listen to what Larry said so you can understand what he was talking about.

[@mosab643]

Soxfan73 what? and maybe drop the condescension

[@oscarwilde6649]

Dawud Bryant 10-5 Frazier. Btw, idiot, Ali himself said many times that Frazier beat him in this fight. Sorry to burst your little bubble.

[@liani4589]

Geneva19

[@oscarwilde6649]

Rush Ron I had it 10-5 when I first got the fight on Super 8mm (1972) and that hasn't wavered after closely watching the fight about 50 x's over the last 45 years. Btw, Ali himself felt he clearly lost (admitted this on several occasions post-retirement).

[@daviddelarosa5196]

larry looks like hes gonna croak soon!

[@nkel6111]

cigarettes !!!

[@michaelwaldman1515]

Would have been nice if he put on some socks for this interview. Sounds like crap

[@uncletony6210]

let's see how good you look at 85.

[@miraclemeditations3919]

David DeLaRosa- You, my friend, are a jerk. I only say that in the hopes that you will evaluate how rude and disrespectful that comment was. I bet -deep inside- you were ashamed of it the moment you posted it. I've got an idea - why don't you go in and delete it. If -when you are Larry's age - you can express yourself anywhere near as well as he does now- you can go back and repost it.