By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com
As there are no current or scheduled fights happening on which to report due to the COVID-19 situation, I am posting six of my personal accounts on Muhammad Ali for your enjoyment.
This six-part series was first published starting back in November 2008 on a monthly basis. So it’s now my pleasure to bring the articles back to you on a weekly basis with each edition to include different Muhammad Ali photos from my private collection.
I will start this series’ first edition, by saying that the best closed-circuit fight that I ever attended was with my father, Daniel J. Martinez, and two of my best friends, Al Garcia and Hector Ybarra, at the Santa Barbara, California “historic” Granada Theater. On March 8, 1971, we saw the most eagerly anticipated championship fight that I have ever been involved with in all my years in boxing … Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali.
I was so excited come fight time that I left my work early on that Monday afternoon just to be sure I was the first one in line to get tickets and the best seats: front row center balcony. I got both to view the fight.
This was simply known as “The Fight of the Century” and still ranks as one of the most famous in heavyweight boxing history.
Both fighters entered the ring unbeaten with both having legitimate claims to the world heavyweight title.
The fight lived up to all of it’s hype, with Frazier punctuating his victory by landing a tremendous left hook which dropped Ali in the 15th and final round. Smokin’ Joe won a unanimous fifteen round decision, giving Ali his first professional loss.
It was simply a night that will forever remain – as it will with me – one of the best in boxing!
Joe Hobson (Xander J. Hobson stage name) here.
Great read Dave and I look forward to the others.
I am a former amateur boxer, Marine Vet & retired Air Force and currently a Stand-Up Comedian. I’ve found myself writing boxing blogs, based on my experiences in boxing from 1982 to 1990.
Please holler back. Hopefully we can find some mutual ground and be useful to each other.
BAM!
Great stuff on the Greatest my friend. SFC, US Army retired.
I was there as well. 8 years old!