Ivan in Moscow was able to watch the delayed telecast of a world heavyweight championship fight for the first time a few hours after he October 1 Thrilla in Manila between belt-owner Muhammad Ali and challenger and former champion himself Joe Frazier. For Manila supporting bout s saw heavyweights Larry Holmes and Rodney Bobick mixing it up for 10 rounds. Some 40 to 50celebrities, including Flip Wilson, Connie Sevens, Ryan O’Neal and Hugh O’Brien, among others came to Manila to watch the fight. The Ali-Frazier III, the promoter assessed, “had all the elements of a dynamite extravaganza,” adding that the Thrilla resulted in tremendous publicity overseas for the Philippines. Ever a super salesman as he was, and still is, King even cause the printing of 250,000 copies of souvenir program on the fight in New York.

Source: Manila Times September 23, 2017 15:32 UTC