Ali, Frazier, Foreman: The Heavyweight Trinity

Between March 1971 and October 1975, three heavyweights — Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman — produced four of the most famous bouts in boxing history. The 'Fight of the Century' (Ali-Frazier I, March 1971, Madison Square Garden) was the first heavyweight title fight between two undefeated champions; Frazier won the unanimous decision, knocking Ali down in the 15th round. 'The Sunshine Showdown' (Foreman-Frazier I, January 1973, Kingston, Jamaica) — Foreman dropped Frazier six times in two rounds. 'The Rumble in the Jungle' (Ali-Foreman, October 1974, Kinshasa, Zaire) was Ali's masterpiece: the 'rope-a-dope' strategy of absorbing Foreman's body shots while landing counter rights to the head, ending with an 8th-round KO. And 'The Thrilla in Manila' (Ali-Frazier III, October 1975, Quezon City, Philippines) — fought in 100-degree heat in a 12,000-seat arena, ending with Frazier's corner pulling him out after the 14th round. Ali later said the fight was 'the closest thing to dying.' All three men were diminished for life. The trilogy stands as the most concentrated period of heavyweight greatness in the sport's history.