Editing Joe Frazier (section)

====Thrilla in Manila: third Ali fight====
{{main|Thrilla in Manila}}
[[Muhammad Ali]] and Frazier met for the third and final time in Cubao, [[Quezon City]], which is a city within [[Metro Manila]], the [[Philippines]], on October 1, 1975. Prior to the fight, Ali took opportunities to mock Frazier by calling him a '"gorilla" and generally trying to irritate him.

The fight was a punishing display on both sides under oppressively-hot conditions. During the fight, Ali said to Frazier, "They said you were through, Joe." Frazier said, "They lied." Ali repeatedly held Frazier around the back of his neck with his right hand, a violation of the rules that went unpunished by the referee. After 14 grueling rounds, Ali returned to his corner demanding they cut his gloves and end the bout.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/sep/04/features.sport16 |title=The unforgiven |first=Thomas |last=Hauser |date=September 3, 2005 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> However, Dundee ignored Ali. This proved fortuitous, as across the ring, Futch stopped the fight out of concern for his charge. Frazier had a closed left eye, an almost-closed right eye, and a cut. Ali later said that it was the "closest thing to dying that I know of."<ref name="11/8/2011">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/7206261/joe-frazier-former-heavyweight-champion-dead-67 |title=Boxing legend Joe Frazier dies |date=November 8, 2011 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 29, 2013}}</ref>

In 1977, Ali told interviewer [[Reg Gutteridge]] that he felt this third Frazier fight was his best performance. When Gutteridge suggested his win over Cleveland Williams, Ali said, "No, Frazier's much tougher and rougher than Cleveland Williams."