University of Virginia Library

Ali, Frazier Ready

buffs might remember that in a
bout against Sonny Liston (1964)
All was virtually cut in two pieces
by a murderous left-handed shot to
the body early in the fight, and had
to alter his open style in order to
walk away victorious.

Further, Frazier claims that he
can hurt Ali in close. A left hook
might do the trick at close quarters.
In his most recent victories (Ellis,
Bob Foster) Joe exploded again
with a smashing left; the one
applied to Bob Foster almost
breaking him in two, and leaving
him in limbo on the canvas for a
full five minutes.

Muhammad Ali would like to
remind his supporters that despite
all the 'pluses' going for Frazier, he
has a few of his own. Among them
is a superbly executed 31-0 record;
several of the wins coming after
three seasons of 'retirement' caused
by his "good friends at the
Selective Service Bureau."

Ali prefers to shuffle around the
ring, and hates to stand in close and
punch it out. If given the
opportunity when in close Ali
usually will try to pin his foe's arms
down for a clinch. But if he goes in
close against Frazier, he will
probably work on the head down
of his opponent with uppercuts and
modified 'bolo' punches.

Left jabs seem to be Ali's forte.
Although he had trouble in his last
bout (Oscar Bonavena) with the
jab, Ali is on record as saying "I can
jab anybody." Frazier's jerky head
and body movements could give the
former "I'm the greatest" kid some
trying moments. Another factor in
Frazier's favor is that he has the
best defense among heavyweights
for blocking the left Ali's
strength.

Whereas Frazier is a puncher. Ali
is a boxer. Ali enters the ring and
tries to turn boxing into a science
"go after his mistakes," he says. "If
they go protecting against a straight
right (his alternate weapon) up
comes my left; a left jab flicks them
when they look for the right."

If it were possible to ask for a
better matchup a computer
couldn't handle the assignment.
What will be offered March 8 will
be two superb boxers in the prime
of their careers. Each will enter the
Madison Square Garden ring with
his own modus operandi, but,
nonetheless, they will undoubtedly
try to work for the other's mistakes
and them employ their own tactics.

Ali will be seen on the 30 foot
high screen (and in the flesh at the
Garden) as a 'thinking fighter;' one
who likes to retreat as well as
attack. Frazier, on the other hand,
usually only enjoys going forward
in an unrelenting pursuit.

This, boxing buffs, will
assuredly be a bout not soon
forgotten here on closed circuit or
at the Garden. What more could an
enthusiast ask for: two unbeatens
(both "champions" concurrently),
a 31-0 'scientist' versus a 26-0
'mauler.' Check the usual locations
(Mincer's, Newcomb Hall,
Downtown Athletic Store. U Hall)
for your piece of the action while
it is still available.