In the storied history of boxing, the “Thrilla in Manila,” featuring two of the sport's most revered icons, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, is hailed as one of the greatest fights ever.  It was the third and final bout in the iconic rivalry between Ali and Frazier, closing the chapter on their epic trilogy.

When Ali and Frazier collided on October 1, 1975, the brutality of their battle led Ali to describe it as “the closest thing to dying.” Though the heavyweight division of that era was filled with extraordinary fighters, it was Ali and Frazier whose rivalry defined the time, their names etched together in boxing history.

Half a century later, the fight was more than a boxing match; it was a cultural touchstone that forever changed Ali and Fraizer, boxing, and sports entertainment.

To commemorate the epic event on its Golden Anniversary, here are 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the "Thrilla In Manila."

The Political Realities of the Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, who had led the country since 1965,  hosted the fight in an effort to present a positive image of his government and distract from poverty and human rights issues. After declaring martial law in 1972, he rewrote the Philippine constitution and concentrated power in the executive branch.  In response to Marcos’ authoritarianism and dictatorship, the People Power Revolution, which took place from 1983 to 1986, successfully overthrew him and restored democracy to the Philippines.

Ali Came Up With the Nickname of the Fight

Known for his rhymes, catch phrases, and poetry, Ali himself coined the nickname "Thrilla in Manila. Seeking to demean Frazier in the worst possible way, Ali called Fraizer a “gorilla” leading up to the bout, when he predicted the fight would be "a killa and a thrilla and a chilla" when he faced the "gorilla" in Manila. While many believe that Ali crossed the line with his comments to Fraizer, his phraseology became the nickname for the fight.

Frazier Was Partially Blind Before the Fight

Even before the bell rang to start the fight, Frazier was partially blind. According to Fraizer, his eye was damaged when metal pieces from a speed bag got into his eye as a young fighter. To continue fighting, Frazier and his team kept the issue a secret and didn’t reveal it until years later in his autobiography in 1996. When it came time to take vision tests, he had a unique system to pass. Some doctors were my best friends,” Frazier said in an interview. “We sheltered the story and kept it a secret. And I learnt the eye-chart by heart.”

The Fight Began Had An Early Start Time

The "Thrilla in Manila" began around 10:45 a.m. local time. The early start time was chosen to accommodate the international viewing audience, particularly to be shown live during prime time in the United States. But the major drawback was that the fight occurred during the intensity of the Philippines. Temperatures inside the ring were estimated to be as high as 120°F during the grueling duel.

The Fight Ended in Round 14

While the previous two battles went the distance, the “Thrilla in Manila” ended by TKO with Ali winning. Eddie Futch, Frazier’s manager, stopped the fight against his fighter’s wishes.  By the end of round 14, Frazier couldn't see punches because his eye was completely closed. Futch made the difficult decision to protect Frazier's safety.

Lasting Effect on Ali and Frazier

Ali and Fraizer entered the ring on that faithful night but left the ring as two completely different men. Frazier's vision was permanently compromised by the punishment he endured during the fight, and many, including Ali’s long-time boxing physician, Dr. Ferdie Pacheco, believed that this was the slow march to Ali suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

“Do you think after the beating he took that day in Manila, he went home happy and had chocolate ice cream? He goddamn near died,” Pacheco said. “It’s the reason he’s a shambling, neurological wreck.”

Both Fighters Got Big Bags For the Fight

After putting their lives on the line, Ali and Fraizer were paid handsomely for their efforts. According to the Sportster, Ali, the heavyweight champion, was guaranteed to make $4.5 million against 43% of the gross, and Frazier was guaranteed $2 million against 22%. In total, Ali earned $9 million and Frazier made $5 million.

The Fight Made Boxing a Global Sport

More than just another boxing match, the fight was an international mega-event, watched by a massive global television audience, with estimates as high as one billion viewers. Ali and Fraizer’s epic encounter solidified boxing's status as a premier global sport.

The Fight Was Groundbreaking For Sports Broadcasting

It was a pioneering moment in sports broadcasting. The revolutionary agreement with HBO to deliver a continuous signal via satellite helped popularize the pay-per-view model for major sporting events, a format that is now commonplace for major boxing and combat sports matchups. After the fight, HBO would be the dominant network for premium boxing events until 2018, when the company ceased boxing operations.

.Both Fighters Returned To Fighting

After engaging in one of the best fights ever, Ali and Frazier were back in the ring. Ali defended his title several more times before losing in a stunning upset to Leon Spinks in February 1978. Ali ended his career with losses to Larry Holmes (1980) and Trevor Berbick. He would regain the title for an unprecedented 3rd time in September 1978. Frazier fought two more times, losing to George Foreman (1976) and Floyd Cummings (1981).