In the early 1970s, the heavyweight boxing scene was in turmoil. With Muhammad Ali stripped of his military draft exemption, the world was in need of a new heavyweight champion. Joe Frazier, an unbeaten left hook specialist from Philadelphia, claimed the NYSAC heavyweight title by defeating Buster Mathis. Meanwhile, Jimmy Ellis, a former middleweight rebuilt as a heavyweight by Angelo Dundee, won the WBA version of the title by defeating Jerry Quarry. With Ali sidelined, Frazier and Ellis faced off for the vacant WBC title on February 16, 1970 at Madison Square Garden.
At 24-0, Frazier, known as “Smokin’ Joe,” was on a winning streak. Ellis, four years older, had a record of 27 wins and 5 losses. The fight was short but memorable, with Frazier dominating the action with his aggression, power, and desire. In the third round, Frazier’s left hook found its mark, and in the fourth round, another powerful blow sent Ellis to the canvas. Despite bravely beating the count, Dundee decided to end the fight, declaring Frazier the new champion.
While Frazier became the new champion, the boxing world anticipated a showdown between Frazier and Ali to determine the undisputed heavyweight king, which finally happened in March 1971. Frazier and Ellis met again in 1975, with Frazier victorious in a non-title match in Australia, marking his final victory.
