Idols Ali & Frazier were my inspiration to thrill

I REMEMBER it like it was yesterday, watching in the kitchen in the back of our shop in Clones then going upstairs with my brother to work on the pads.

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It is hard to convey the impact Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier had on a young boxing-mad kid in Ireland in the 1970s, and the 'Thrilla in Manila', which turned 50 on October 1, rightly passed into legend.

I was 14 years old, training relentlessly and getting ready for the Ulster championships. These guys were our idols, like gods. I loved the way Frazier attacked. I was still trying to find my feet. I got beaten that year in the Ulster final which made me more determined.