Heavyweight great Joe Frazier would have turned 82 today. 'Smokin' Joe was best known for his epic trilogy with Muhammad Ali, which, with the score at one win a piece, concluded with The Thrilla in Manila in October 1975. Fought in the sweltering heat of the Philippines, it pushed both men to levels of exhaustion and pain seldom seen in the boxing ring. After a back and forth affair, Ali was crowned the victor when Frazier’s trainer Eddie Futch controversially stopped the fight before the final

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila. On October 1, 1975, Muhammad Ali and #JoeFrazier clashed for the third and final time, and the date — commemorated here — is now synonymous with greatness. | Roots Of Fight