Part 5/10:
Fought at Madison Square Garden, the atmosphere was electric, with tickets selling out in a record two hours. As two Olympic champions entered the ring, the crowd was in a frenzy. Initially, Ali attempted to assert his dominance with a strategy of distance and jabs while Frazier forged ahead, seeking close combat to unleash his left hook.
As the rounds progressed, it became apparent that this was not the same Ali the world remembered. His footwork—once a hallmark of his fighting style—was conspicuously lacking. Frazier, on the other hand, continued to press forward with unwavering intensity and confidence. By the fifth round, Frazier’s searing punches had Ali reeling, shifting the momentum and the crowd's allegiance toward the relentless challenger.