The bell that ended the 14th round was the last one to ring. Muhammad Ali lay on the canvas in exhaustion. Joe Frazier stood in a fog in his corner. The fight was over, stopped by Frazier's manager, Eddie Futch, because Smokin' Joe could no longer see the punches pounding into his nearly closed eyes. Ali had successfully defended his world heavyweight boxing title against Frazier, but the long slugging battle had been as tough as any he had known.
While his bruises were still achingly fresh, the champ threatened once more to retire...
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