The ‘Thrilla’ revisited

The following is an updated version of the previous Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier “Thrilla In Manila” as it marks its 50th anniversary today.

- LITO A. TACUJAN

Two images remained embedded in the mind, on top of a myriad of sights and sounds that gave a surreal mix for the Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in October, 1975.

There was the bespectacled Ed Schuyler, the noted boxing writer of the Associated Press, leaning over to our press box side at the apron of the ring at the end of the bout.

“You should be proud, this fight happened here... 25 years from now they would still be talking about this fight and Manila,” he said.

The other was of a throbbing sea of humanity on the bleachers of the Big Dome ebbing and flowing as momentum shifted during the fight: “Ali! Ali! Ali!” thundered the crowd as the champ dominated the challenger and just as quickly there would be a roaring “Frazier! Frazier! Frazier!” as Smokin’ Joe came back the next round full of steam and fury.

That was in 1975. It seems like an eternity. But it came as vividly as if it happened only yesterday.

The “Thrilla” would later rank as one of the top three all-time best fights. I couldn’t recall the very best but I’m certain the Joe Louis-Max Schmeling showdown - enshrined in the prose of Bob Considine - was one of the three.

And before fight purists would raise hell, I am sure one of Manny Pacquiao's ring masterpieces would rank high in the New Book of Boxing, according to the Ring.