Muhammad Ali Called Joe Frazier “Gorilla” on TV — 3 Years Later He Came to Joe’s Gym

Описание: 1970. Philadelphia. Joe Frazier is sitting at home with his four children watching The Dick Cavett Show. Muhammad Ali is on screen. And he says something that will haunt Joe's family for the next 3 years: "Joe Frazier? That ugly gorilla? I'm gonna beat that Uncle Tom so bad, he'll think he's back on the plantation!"
The studio laughs. Dick Cavett laughs. Ali laughs. But in Joe's living room, his 6-year-old son Brandon turns to him and asks: "Daddy, why does he call you gorilla?"
Joe can't answer. Because he doesn't know why Muhammad Ali, his Black brother, is calling him an animal on national television.
For the next year, it doesn't stop. Every TV show. Every interview. "Gorilla, gorilla, gorilla." Ali is selling the fight. Making millions. But Joe's children are paying the price. At school, kids taunt them: "Your dad's a gorilla!" At home, they cry: "Daddy, why is he doing this to us?"
March 8, 1971. Madison Square Garden. Joe beats Ali. 15 rounds. Judges' decision. Ali's first loss. In the center of the ring, Joe extends his hand. Peace offering. Ali pulls his hand back and says one more time: "You still a gorilla, Joe. You just got lucky."
Joe Frazier taught the world: Forgiveness sets you free. Muhammad Ali taught the world: It's never too late to apologize.
Two legends. One story. Forever.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This video contains dramatized storytelling based on well-documented events in the relationship between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Ali's use of the term "gorilla" and racial epithets against Frazier is historically documented across multiple TV appearances and interviews from 1970-1971. Their 1974 private reconciliation in Philadelphia and subsequent friendship through 2011 is confirmed by both families and boxing historians. Some dialogue is dramatized for narrative flow while maintaining the emotional truth and factual arc of their 40-year journey from enemies to brothers.
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