On October 1, 1975 in Quezon City, Philippines the temperature came dangerously close to 100 ° F as two men came dangerously close to death. Many words have been written, spoken or yelled about the “Thrilla in Manila”. Many predictions were made both before and after Ali and Frazier did what looked difficult, and, I can only imagine felt impossible. Often I’ll hear the “what ifs”. What if Ali had trained harder? What if Frazier’s eyes didn’t swell shut? The one thing never asked is, what if Frazier had worn satin trunks instead of denim?
With the amount of sweat absorbed by his denim trunks Frazier had to feel as if he was carrying an extra five pounds. Jump in a lake with jean shorts on then try and fight Muhammad Ali for 14 rounds in the Philippines. Can’t do it, can you? Maybe that fight would have went differently had Frazier moved around the ring easier? Sure, Frazier’s eyes were closed by the end of the fight, but had he not tired around the 10th round, perhaps he wouldn’t have absorbed Ali’s late rally that effectively closed his eyes.
Of course this is all just hopefully interesting idle talk. The real question is, are there any boxers out there today who would do what Frazier once did, and put his reputation on the line to fight a man who can also lay claim to being the best on the planet. One named Floyd or Manny, perhaps?