http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/passionateeyeshowcase/2010/thrillerinmanila/
I caught most of this documentary about the rivalry between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier on the CBC last night. Fantatic documentary and if you're of that age where you remember these 2 squaring off, you'll find it a fascinating watch.
At first, I was hugely disappointed with the way Ali behaved and how he basically slandered Joe Frazier, however, when you see how Frazier behaved over the YEARS towards Ali, my sympathy switched to Ali. Ali did appologize several times for what he said, but Frazier was never man enough to accept it, he continued to slag Ali every chance he got it would seem and made himself look childish. (Though there was certainly enough childishness to go around on both sides.)
Lasting impressions:
1. I could barely understand what Joe Frazier was saying. (They should have had subtitles). So clearly, he had been damaged over his career as well as Ali.
2. Ali "crossed the line" several times in what he said about Frazier and wasn't smart enough to stop. In fact, he kept crossing the line.
3. Ali claimed he was doing it to promote the fight and I believe that.
4. Frazier helped out Ali for years when Ali was blackballed - both financially and with respect to getting him back into boxing. And Ali betrayed that friendship.
5. Ali was manipulated by "the nation of Islam" and they used him for all he was worth. (I wonder if they still bother him today?)
6. Frazier never forgave Ali. Despite what has been said about him finally forgiving Ali, I didn't see it. He despised him.
7. Ali had tried to appologize to Frazier right after the fight by reaching out to Frazier through Frazier's son, but Frazier rejected the outreach.
8. The fight in Manilla was an incredibly vicious fight. It has often been said that Ali endured forever injuries as a result of that fight.
9. It was sad that Ali could not have been part of that documentary.
10. Sad how Frazier was living in a couple of rooms at the back end of the gym in which he used to train. No-one helped him out it would seem.
I caught most of this documentary about the rivalry between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier on the CBC last night. Fantatic documentary and if you're of that age where you remember these 2 squaring off, you'll find it a fascinating watch.
At first, I was hugely disappointed with the way Ali behaved and how he basically slandered Joe Frazier, however, when you see how Frazier behaved over the YEARS towards Ali, my sympathy switched to Ali. Ali did appologize several times for what he said, but Frazier was never man enough to accept it, he continued to slag Ali every chance he got it would seem and made himself look childish. (Though there was certainly enough childishness to go around on both sides.)
Lasting impressions:
1. I could barely understand what Joe Frazier was saying. (They should have had subtitles). So clearly, he had been damaged over his career as well as Ali.
2. Ali "crossed the line" several times in what he said about Frazier and wasn't smart enough to stop. In fact, he kept crossing the line.
3. Ali claimed he was doing it to promote the fight and I believe that.
4. Frazier helped out Ali for years when Ali was blackballed - both financially and with respect to getting him back into boxing. And Ali betrayed that friendship.
5. Ali was manipulated by "the nation of Islam" and they used him for all he was worth. (I wonder if they still bother him today?)
6. Frazier never forgave Ali. Despite what has been said about him finally forgiving Ali, I didn't see it. He despised him.
7. Ali had tried to appologize to Frazier right after the fight by reaching out to Frazier through Frazier's son, but Frazier rejected the outreach.
8. The fight in Manilla was an incredibly vicious fight. It has often been said that Ali endured forever injuries as a result of that fight.
9. It was sad that Ali could not have been part of that documentary.
10. Sad how Frazier was living in a couple of rooms at the back end of the gym in which he used to train. No-one helped him out it would seem.
