ALI, MUHAMMAD-JOE FRAZIER III CARTOON ART BY PHIL BISSELL (1975)

Ali vs. Frazier II was a non-title boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The second of the three Ali-Frazier bouts, it took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 28, 1974. Ali was a slight favorite to win, and did by a unanimous decision. The official verdict was disputed in some quarters; Red Smith of the New York Times scored the bout 6-5-1 for Frazier. At the end of round two, Frazier, a notoriously slow starter in fights, was hurt by an Ali right hand and was in significant trouble. Referee Tony Perez stepped in between the two fighters having mistakenly thought he heard the bell. The interruption allowed Frazier precious seconds to recover and he was able to finish the round on his feet when the action resumed. Ali employed markedly different tactics from the first fight. He didn’t allow Frazier to work inside tying up the shorter fighter by holding him behind the neck with his left hand while keeping Frazier’s vaunted left tied up with the other. This pattern of Ali punching in flurries followed by clinching dominated most of the fight. Offered here is original cartoon art by Phil Bissell which depicts the weigh in for the fight.
This is original cartoon art on artist heavy paper. Signed by the artist at lower right. One mild crease. No tears. A few compressions from handling. Clean. Minor edge wear. 13" x 22."