HBO to Honor Joe Fraizer with Replay of Thrilla in Manila

According to a press release from the executive producers of HBO, in honor of the recent passing of one of the greatest heavyweight champions in the history of boxing, Joe Frazier, HBO will pay tribute to the legendary Smokin Joe with an encore presentation of the 2009 documentary Thrilla In Manila  chronicling one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports history Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

HBO will be presenting Thrilla In Manila on Nov. 10.

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The 90-minute film will be seen Nov. 10 (6:30-8:00 p.m. ET/PT).

            Other HBO playdate:  Nov. 13 (5:30 p.m.)

            HBO Signature playdate: Nov. 11 (4:30 p.m.)

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Thrilla In Manila shows us a compelling story of the third and final legendary fight between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali that was held in the sweltering heat of the Philippines in 1975.

This award winning documentary was directed by John Dower and illustrates the politics and mood of the 1970's where many viewed Ali was a Civil Rights icon who was anti-war and Frazier to be a more conservative, pro-war, less popular figure.

The first time I watched this documentary back in 2009, I remember loving it for it showed us a more truer side of what went behind the scenes of this great rivalry of Ali and Frazier. It is definitely biased for it is told only through the eyes and voice of Frazier, which is a good balance since most of the documentaries and archive footage of that era often is told by Ali.

When you see a documentary like Thrilla In Manila, it reminds you not only how great Frazier and Ali were but just how great the sport of boxing can be transcending worldwide and making the whole world stop what they are doing to watch and talk about the biggest fight in the world.

It takes legends like Joe Frazier to bring out the best out of other legends like Muhammad Ali thus providing us one of the greatest trilogies, and rivalries in all of boxing history.

Thrilla In Manila also reminds us of a time where being the heavyweight champion of the world not only made you the baddest man on the planet, but also the biggest celebrity as well.

Thrilla In Manila is also available to all HBO subscribers via ON DEMAND until Nov. 27.

KING J is the Bleacher Report Boxing Community Leader and a Featured Columnist. All information was provided directly to him via email press release from the executive producers of HBO.

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