‘Thrilla in Manila’ a can’t-miss for boxing fans

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I had a chance over the weekend to watch an advance copy of HBO’s documentary ‘Thrilla in Manila,’ which will debut on the pay network at 5 p.m. Saturday before the Winky Wright-Paul Williams fight at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

The story of the classic third and final fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975 is told from Frazier’s perspective, and the insight is fascinating.

Frazier, appearing battle-weary and still living in a small room inside his old Philadelphia boxing gym that he refers to as ‘the dungeon,’ retains bitterness toward Ali for referring to ‘Smokin’ Joe’ as ‘gorilla’ and an ‘Uncle Tom’ during their fight promotions.

Ali told the New York Times in an interview earlier this decade he was sorry about the insults and said the harmful words were uttered only in the spirit of promotion. In one segment of ‘Thrilla,’ Frazier notes Ali’s deteriorating condition due to Parkinson’s disease and contends God has punished Ali for the sincere venom.

That lasting divide casts a sad cloud over the great rivalry, and hints Frazier may take some pleasure in ‘winning’ the final ‘bout’ between the pair: Who will outlive the other?

Still, the documentary has some fascinating behind-the-scenes detail from figures like Ali’s former ‘fight doctor,’ Ferdie Pacheco, who says the hype that preceded the first Ali-Frazier fight at Madison Square Garden (two unbeaten champions, Frank Sinatra shooting ringside photos for Life Magazine) made him feel like his head would ‘explode’ at the sound of the first bell. Frazier’s son, Marvis, also discusses his dad’s famous ‘Down Goes Frazier!’ loss to George Foreman.

And there’s terrific boxing action, especially in the ‘Thrilla,’ which is shown while splicing in close-ups of Frazier watching the fight replay for the first time in three decades and commenting about the action as he observes the classic bout that shifts from Ali to Frazier and back to Ali as the champs wage war in a stifling hot Manila arena.

Watching the action of the 14th round and the ensuing seconds in each corner is especially riveting, affirming why both fighters deserve mythic standing in boxing lore.

All that’s missing is one last sincere embrace between the warriors after the fight.

-- Lance Pugmire