Joe Frazier, the heavyweight champion of the world in the late 1960s, revealed that Muhammad Ali constantly called him begging for a title shot. This happened during Ali's suspension from boxing after he refused to fight in the Vietnam War.
The heavyweight division today looks quite different. Oleksandr Usyk holds three of the major belts, while Daniel Dubois has one. Dubois is set to face Joseph Parker soon, and the winner will likely get a shot at Usyk for the undisputed title.
Getting a title fight isn't always straightforward. It involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Boxers, their managers, and promoters often have to attend conferences and lobby governing bodies to improve rankings and secure title opportunities.
But back in the late 1960s, things were different. Ali, who had been stripped of his title and boxing license, found himself in a tough spot. He was broke and couldn't fight. Meanwhile, Frazier was at the top of the heavyweight mountain.
Frazier said Ali would call him every other day.
"You got my title, man! You got to let me fight you!"
Ali's persistence didn't stop there. Frazier even took it upon himself to help his rival. He met with President Richard Nixon to plead Ali's case.
"I want you to give Ali his licence back. I want to beat him up for you,"Frazier told Nixon. He later admitted, "I was just happy he got his licence back so I could clean him out."
After three years, Ali got his license back. The two finally met in the ring in 1971, with Frazier coming out on top. But that wasn't the end of their rivalry. They fought two more times, with Ali winning both, including their famous third meeting known as the "Thrilla in Manila."
