Muhammad Ali celebrates 40th anniversary of 'Thrilla in Manilla'

Louisville (Kentucky): Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali celebrated the 40th anniversary of his third fight with Joe Frazier in the Philippines in his Kentucky hometown in USA.

Heavyweights: Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (right) and former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal during the Sports Illustrated Legacy Awards in Louisville, Kentucky. Sports Illustrated announced it will dedicate its Sportsman Legacy Award in the name of the boxing legend. pic: AP/PTI

Notable erstwhile opponents Larry Holmes and George Foreman and other celebrities including former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal were present on Thursday to honour the three-time world heavyweight champion, Xinhua reported.

Ali’s fight with Frazier was a 14-round battle known as the ‘Thrilla in Manila’. Ali earned his second victory over Frazier when the former champion didn’t come out for the final round. Ali (73), battling Parkinson’s disease, did not speak at the event.