How A Previously Unbeaten Champion Earned Far More Respect In Defeat Than Victory!

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How A Previously Unbeaten Champion Earned Far More Respect In Defeat Than Victory!

Are you an avid boxing fan? If you are and you happen to be any type of boxing historian.

Then you probably recognize the significance of the date Monday, March 8th 1971. Correct?

Yea, that was a really looong time ago for sure.But what’s the significance of that seemingly unassuming day, you so casually ask?

Well, the boxing historians among us,(instantly) recognize the monumental significance of that particular date.

You see,  Monday, March 8th 1971 was the night when two incredibly great, (and to that point) in their storied careers, previously undefeated heavyweight boxing icons met.

To do battle for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. For the very first time!

Ali as in the, self proclaimed (Greatest!) Muhammad Ali battled, the equally talented, “Smokin” Joe Frasier for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.

Being Larger Than Life Doesn’t Always Mean Automatically Mean You’re The Most Qualified To Get The Job Done!

Ali with his charismatic demeanor, charm and extremely quick wit vs the unassuming, meek and incredibly gentlemen like demeanor, of the then current, undefeated and undisputed (reigning) heavyweight champ, “Smokin” Joe Frasier!

And the two larger than life boxing icons, couldn’t have been  more polarizing opposites, if they tried! Frasier was the quiet self assured, low key,far less outgoing personality of the two.

Being Or Appearing Larger Than Life Doesn’t Automatically Mean You’re The Most Likely To Succeed!

While his counter part (one) Cassius Marcellus Clay (aka) Muhammad Ali, (R.I.P.), was the tall handsome, extremely braggadocios,outrageously self absorbed, consummate self promoter! Who  lived and died by the art of quick, perpetual self promotion!

While Frasier was considered by many to be the far more conventional, meek (if not) down right shy, far less sophisticated, blue collar. More conventional type of gracious and humble athlete and champion.

Ali on the other hand, never met a stage and or opportunity to self promote, that he not only didn’t like! But didn’t feel deserved to be blessed with his larger than life presence!

Sometimes Temporary Adversity Is The Ultimate Gateway To Long Term Success And Rock Solid Respect!

And when the two finally squared off on that faithful night in New York’s storied Madison Square Garden, in front of a sold out capacity crowd, to settle their long standing grudge!

History was made! Because it was one of the very few times, that two extremely gifted and determined and extremely proud fighters, both still relatively young,and both previously undefeated, squared off for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world!

 How A Previously Unbeaten Champion Earned Far More Respect In Defeat Than He Ever Did In Victory!

Now just so you know and completely understand, (what was going on not only in my immediate neighborhood, but the entire country, at that time as well!)

Not only was my immediate neighborhood divided, (but in fact) the entire nation was pretty much equally divided on who they had allegiance to in this particular epic battle!

On the one hand, the far more conservative and or traditional avid fight fans.

Thought and felt like the current reigning undisputed heavyweight champ, “Smokin” Joe Frasier far better represented the way a real champion, with dignity and true humility should act.

While the other side. The typically younger fight fans such as myself at the time, simply couldn’t get enough of the self absorbed (and extremely) charismatic, photogenic Ali!

While Having Confidence Is Definitely Important) Just Be Mindful That You Don’t Take Things To The Extreme!)

After all he spoke with such confidence! And in his earlier years he even went as far as to predict the round (in which) he would stop his opponents!

The so called establishment vehemently opposed him and practically everything he stood for! (Even in the face of his undeniable overall popularity and enormous talent!)

In fact, many felt that he purposely changed his name and joined (at the time) the highly controversial religious set, (The Nation Of Islam) in order to avoid being drafted!

So they had absolutely no love lost for him and or his causes! And many back then deemed him downright unpatriotic for doing so!

One Guy Had Enough Natural Charisma To Give Away While The Other One Couldn’t Buy It On Pay Day!

Ali cited poetry, and he even nick named some of  his more competitive opponents! In fact, once while appearing on the extremely popular “Flip Wilson” variety show.

Just weeks before the big fight, he was was asked by a female audience member. “What would he do, if he in fact lost the fight to Frasier?” And with typical Ali flare, he wittingly replied, “next question?”

To which the audience roared with laughter and thunderous applauds!’

Oh he was something alright! Just ask him, he’d tell you! He made us believe in an extremely bright and undeniable future!

While Frasier on the other hand, was not particularly glib and or articulate! And he certainly was no where near as photogenic as Ali! Very few reporters wanted to cover and quote Frasier! While they practically hung on Ali’s every word!

Being Effective Is Not All About Image!(Real Substance Is Even More Valuable!)

And that was pretty much the tone that followed these two extremely proud and extraordinary gifted fighters into the ring on that fateful night!

Ali had virtually promised his loyal worldwide and adoring fan base that the slower, shorter, flat footed.

And far less nimble (and no where near as ) charismatic Frasier, was basically no match for his tremendous speed and or superior athletic abilities!

While Frasier assured his loyal,extremely supportive, (and far more) traditional fan base, that no flashy self promoting, extremely egotistical.Not to mention over hyped, wannabe hotshot would get the better of him! Ever!

Sometimes You’ve Got To Go Down Before You Can Really Appreciate Being Up!

So for 15 highly entertaining and extremely grueling rounds. (Back then) championship fights went 15 rounds!

These two extremely proud gladiators, with a grudge and a true ax to grind. Went at each other non stop! With neither warrior willing to concede even an inch to the other!

Going into the final round of this epic slug fest, Ali’s left jaw was visibly swollen, as if he had placed a small orange and or tangerine in his mouth! His face was noticeably puffy as well!

And Frasier had both eyes nearly swollen shut. And his face too told a story of an extremely grueling battle have in taken place!

Both men were clearly exhausted, when out of nowhere, “Smokin” Joe landed one of his most vicious trademark punches! His lethal left hook! The punch landed with such force, that as Ali’s head viciously snapped back, he was immediately and momentarily floored!

Real Hard Work Generally Has Lasting Residual Effects!

And as his feet flew from under him and the tassels that he wore on his shoes momentarily went airborne! The semi subdued crowd suddenly erupted!

As if to say, ‘finally” this obnoxious loudmouth” was getting what he had coming!

Ali would later admit, that even though he temporarily did not know where he was! He knew he had to get up!

And when the final bell sounded! Both men begrudgingly embraced! And when Frasier was officially announced as the winner by unanimous decision.

You Never Truly Know When Real Greatness Is About To Make A Totally Unexpected Appearance!

(Meaning) all three judges declared him the winner of the majority of, this epic 15 round slug fest!

Time temporarily stood still for the literally millions of Muhammad Ali fans! (Myself included!) Our “can’t miss hero” had in fact been beaten by a supposedly far less capable opponent! It simply couldn’t be true! Couldn’t it?

The “Greatest” couldn’t have just lost his first professional fight! But as things would later turn out. These two iconic gladiators, would eventually go on to square off two more times! And Ali would win two out of the three!

Sometimes The True Seeds Of Greatness Have To Be Planted Where They’re Least Expected!

But it was in his very first professional defeat that fateful night in Madison Square Garden.

March 8th, 1971, that Cassius Marcellus Clay (aka) Muhammad Ali, learned humility on a worldwide stage! And got his very first real taste of, of some much needed “humble pie!”

And by doing so! He earned far more respect in that one major defeat, than he had in his 31 previous victories!

And that (my friend), is how a previously unbeaten champion, earned far more respect in defeat! Than he ever had previously in all of his masterful victories! Any questions?

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