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Fifty years ago, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought the “Thrilla in Manila,” still considered the greatest and most brutal boxing match ever.

The October 1975 heavyweight championship bout in sweltering Philippines heat left both fighters permanently damaged after 14 punishing rounds.

Ali won when Frazier’s trainer stopped the fight, but both champions said they “left as old men” from the experience.

Once all the papers were signed and the fight was officially on, Muhammad Ali knew exactly what to do.

The master quipster, fight-promoting wizard and most famous and outrageous boxer in the world — the longtime heavyweight champion who had trumpeted his boxing style as one to “floa

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