Shorts that Muhammad Ali wore in the “closest experience to death” goes up for auction | combat

A part of the outfit worn by Muhammad Ali in the legendary fight against Joe Frazier in 1975, nicknamed “Thrilla in Manilla”, was put up for auction this Monday by the specialized house “Sotheby’s”, in New York, with an initial price of US$ 5 million (around R$25 million).

The 14-round duel, totaling 42 minutes of fighting, was held in the Philippines in 49-degree heat, and described by Ali, who won the fight by forfeiting from Frazier’s corner in the interval between the 14th and 15th rounds, as “the closest experience to death.” After the fight, Ali declared: “Me and Joe Frazier went into the ring like champions and we went down like two old men.”

The fight became famous due to the promotion it had at the time, and the consequences for both fighters. Joe Frazier, who was 31 at the time, suffered an eye injury that cut his career short – he only fought twice more before retiring. Ali fought for another six years, losing and regaining the world heavyweight belt until his retirement in 1981. In 1984 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and many believe that the fight in the Philippines contributed decisively to the disease’s spread. developed.

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