54 Years Since Frazier/Ali (per Howard Cosell) “The First Time Around”

Today marks the 54 year anniversary of the epic first boxing bout, between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, which “Smokin Joe” (Frazier) won in a 15 round decision.

It was a great bout, between a magnificent pugilist and transcendent figure Ali and his best opponent, the “always at you,” hard working, tremendous Frazier.

Electricity was in the air at a great venue, Madison Square Garden that Monday night March 8, 1971. Frank Sinatra was taking photographs and the NBA Knicks who played there, had won the most recent and first of their two NBA titles, another Frazier (Walt) scoring 36 points in the ultimate game, but being denied MVP honors as it went to another great player, Willis Reed, who scored 4 points in that #7/NBA final in 1970.

So many years have passed, each man also as I recall what must have been a hilarious but also serious topic “ride” when Joe drove Muhammad from I believe Philadelphia to New York about a year before their first clash.

Maybe in a better place there are no impoverished, however if there are, Ali and Frazier would repeat “on earth” visits to bring some cheer.

The great performer, Frank Sinatra, there 3 years and about 7 month later, in another “Main Event,” is pictured,while taking photos of the bout for Life Magazine, 54 years ago tonight.