Thriller in Manila

Thriller in Manila

2008, Sports  -   29 Comments
8.03
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Ratings: 8.03/10 from 32 users.

Thriller in ManilaOn October 1, 1975, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali was in the ring with his arch rival Joe Frazier for the third time.

This fight in the Philippines, which has been nicknamed Thriller in Manila, is considered one of the most dramatic boxing matches in history - in the words of the voice-over, They hated each other.

With the help of archive material and eyewitness accounts (including Imelda Marcos), this documentary not only reconstructs the match, but shows us what was happening behind the scenes as well.

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eugenio flores
eugenio flores
6 years ago

That was an amazing fight. I believe Joe Frazier was the greatest fighter of those times, because he defeated Ali when he was in his best condition. Ali was so impolite and rude. Ali's style was dirty as well as tricky, however they fought as never someone could had done before. Both two were people's inspiration

Randy R. CartaGena
Randy R. CartaGena
11 years ago

lesson learned. Fight til the death. I will take this moral to heart in court. No doubt attitude!

kaiser12
kaiser12
11 years ago

These two men brought boxing into the era of Super Fights and with the third battle didn't disappoint. The period from 68' to 78' was the most amazing decade for the heavyweight division, there were so many great fighters, Foreman, Shavers, Norton, Lyle, easily the best of the best and Ali and Frazier epitomized this with the three amazing Super fights. Both men will always be remembered for their styles, their courage and for their hearts in all three fights. They were both hospitalized after the first one, with Frazier winning on points. In #2 Ali wins a narrow decision in a hard fought battle and in this fight Frazier retired on his stool the 14th round. But Ali was also close to throwing in the towel as well. You got to love them both. RIP Smokin' Joe.

ldesilva3
ldesilva3
12 years ago

Ali was the greatest because he fought the whole world at the time. He gave the strength and courage to the black people who are now benefiting of all sort of sports. For me I thing he was not fighting with his opponent but the system in place in America at that time. That is why we love him.

Jason Moran
Jason Moran
12 years ago

Frazier wasn't drafted because he only had one good eye - very clear in doc.

whitecloudboy
whitecloudboy
12 years ago

Facing Ali is a doco that say's maybe Joe did let his bitternes go in the end.I hope so.Ali moulded himself on "Sugar Ray Robinson" what a boxer he was larger than life with an 85 and 0 amateur record and 200 pro fights..(eat your heart out Mayweather,,although you are good!! Floyd.) Achie Moore 219 pro fights and Gorgeous Goerge the self promoting wrestler, Ali said I saw 15000 people comming to see him beat,(now that's a good idea)
So there in lie's part of the Ali story.
Ali far from perfect but the most significant sportman in my lifetime!!!!

Dylan McCaffrey
Dylan McCaffrey
12 years ago

if any1 can tell me why Joe Frazier wasnt drafted i'd greatly appreciate it i googled the question and i got the response because Joe had a wife and kids so did Ali so this answer makes no sense to me was 4F?

Dylan McCaffrey
Dylan McCaffrey
12 years ago

why was ali drafted into vietnam and not Joe frazier?

dken66
dken66
12 years ago

Joe needs subtitles

dken66
dken66
12 years ago

i think Joe needs subtitles.....

Farhan | ?????
Farhan | ?????
12 years ago

Sad that Joe remained bitter to the end. A true great.

Aaylsworth
Aaylsworth
12 years ago

Very good Doc! Joe is a true fighter, Ali is (was) a loud mouth classless fool....

Guest
Guest
12 years ago

Smoking Joe all the way for me, the old fights are the best :)

James Lenane
James Lenane
12 years ago

quality boxing from quality boxers,shame only one had morales and integrity,RIP Smokin Joe!

Joey
Joey
12 years ago

I like how Frazier said it's karma that Cashus " Butterfly lips" Clay now can't say anything....LOL...thats what you get for being a classless A hole....

William Casidy
William Casidy
13 years ago

In the end, despite his physical condition, Ali has peace. Joe has bitterness over two loses.

mac
mac
13 years ago

The fact is it is not what i was thinking so far. The humble joe the man is the true heavy weight champion

mark gaboury
mark gaboury
13 years ago

They both lost big, one man is disabled, the other one is bitter. Great, great, revealing documentary. One of the best, a real thrilla!

Mick Sexton
Mick Sexton
13 years ago

excellent,,,Frazier was the man with no doubt

GoughLewis
GoughLewis
13 years ago

Amazing doc. Highly recommended. Jaw dropper what these two fighters went through. 15 Rounds x 3 fights. Epic boxing doc.

wheelnut53
wheelnut53
13 years ago

Great site , always something good

tomregit
tomregit
13 years ago

Hey Vlatko, slow down big guy. Too many docs daily. Can't keep up. Don't listen to Az. You sure showed her!
Seriously, this site just gets better and better. This doc is a bit different from the usual fare, but a winner nonetheless and right up my alley. An eclectic mix of subjects only broadens our horizons. Thank you, and keep in mind that for every thanks you get there are many others who feel the same, but..... we just can't stroke your ego too much, can we?
Many clever, intelligent, well educated people comment here (wish I was one of them) and it feels like a little community I can Visit to Learn, Argue,Talk, Komment, and offer my Opinion

Nathan Daniel
Nathan Daniel
13 years ago

Just watching this is giving me a headache.

Guest
Guest
13 years ago

That's it i'm dizzy!...too many docs. How are we going to have a decent and intelligent conversation when too many subjects are on the table?
I wIll never again complain that TDF has a boring day to offer me, even on rainy days. lol
Have a good say and talk to you soon!
az