No doubt Frazier would KO Ali in 15th round

[Stinky gloves]

Their last fight was stopped too early.

[Stezzie]

Their last fight was stopped too early.

considering Frazier couldnt make it another round and nearly died later that night I don't think he would have Ko'd Ali...The fight was stopped by his corner because of the abuse he took...One eye was close and his reflexes were shot...I dont see how you can KO a fighter under those conditions...Even if the fighter is about to collapse from exhaustion...

[Stinky gloves]

considering Frazier couldnt make it another round and nearly died later that night ...

I've read that Ali spent a few days in the hospital,
while Frazier was dancing and drinking in the bar the same night.

[JoeyP]

Wasn't it Eddie Futch that made the decision?

[El Bombasto]

he would have had to

[Smokin'Joe100]

I've read that Ali spent a few days in the hospital,
while Frazier was dancing and drinking in the bar the same night.

Thats wrong. Ali went to Ferdinand Marcos's after fight party, where i remember reading that his eyes were so badly battered they looked like they were coloured with purple eyeliner. Frazier attended his camp's party as well, albeit a bit late, and sang with his band.

[Kolya]

Wasn't it Eddie Futch that made the decision?

Yes. There are many legends surrounding this fight, considering how legendary it was. But Eddie Futch stopped the fight. I think I remember reading Ali say that if Frazier had come out for the 15th he wasn't going to, he was completely exhausted. He said Manilla is what hell must be like.

[McGrain]

Their last fight was stopped too early.

I don't know about that man, he ate some monsters in 12 and 13. His vision was HEAVILY impared. Pulling him was probably the responsible decision.

I'd love to believe you're right though.

[McGrain]

considering Frazier couldnt make it another round and nearly died later that night I don't think he would have Ko'd Al.

Yes, it's true that they were worried for Frazier life later in the week. As to whether or not he could have KO'd Ali. I'd say it's about 60/40 against. Ali was done. Willpower was what was holding him together at that point. He fainted right after Frazier quit.

[GazOC]

I think 60/40 is a little optimistic towards Frazier, he was in worse shape than Ali. Ali was exhausted but I've always thought the 'fainting' had a little of that legendary James Brown performance in it...

[Raggamuffin]

I read in Ali's bio that Frazier did not attend a party with Pres. Marcos after the fight. Eddie Futch saved Frazier from facial disfiguration.
I don't think he coulda or woulda Ko'ed Ali in the last round

[groove]

Oh yeah of course Frazier would win after the one-sided beating he was taking in the 13th and 14th rounds. That's why Futch stopped it. He didn't want Joe to have another and possible fatal beating in the 15th round. That was one of best fights ever and both should be applauded for it. They were both super tough.

[Jbuz]

Ali would have KO'd Frazier in the 15th.

[McGrain]

Ali would have KO'd Frazier in the 15th.

SOMEONE would probably have been stopped in the last round, my guess is it would have been Frazier.

Story goes that Frazier told Futch specifically: you don't stop this fight. It's him or me. You don't stop this fight no matter what.

[CowboyJohn-Brad]

Supposedly,Ali wouldn't have answered the 15th-round bell had Frazier done so,but I don't believe
it one minute;Frazier's face had gargoyled,impairing the vision in Frazier's ONE good eye,thus
"Smokin' Joe" couldn't elude or parry Ali's punches,particularly his right,the easire punch to see and ride.

[bulakenyo]

I think Frazier looked slightly less spent than Ali at the time of the stoppage, stamina wise.

It's just he cant see too well anymore, so they had to stop the fight.

[Son of Gaul]

Their last fight was stopped too early.

Yeah but he couldn't see and Ali beat him up pretty bad in the 14th. Futch didn't want to see any permanent damage done.

[freelaw]

They both could die in 15 I guess. But it seems that that was almost the price Frazier was ready to pay. And if so I guess he could have won by TKO as Ali would faint or sth like that. But it could go either way and it's just good that it went neither IMO.

I heard that Ali was repeating in his corner 'this man is crazy, this man is crazy, cut'em off'(gloves)' and that's what he was reffering to I think.