Ali took command during the closing stretch. Frazier’s face was severely swollen, his vision heavily compromised, and Ali repeatedly landed clean right hands. Futch had seen enough, stopping the fight before the 15th round began.
Frazier protested. He had spent his career walking through punishment to get close enough to land his left hook, and quitting voluntarily was never an option.
Futch’s responsibility was different. He had to decide if sending a fighter who could barely see back into the ring was worth the risk.
Ali Was Near His Limit Too
What Futch could not fully know was the physical state of the ma
