Ep 6: March 8th ’71

March 8th '71: Nearly four years after they first met in 1967, the eyes of the world are on a small, illuminated square of canvas in New York's Madison Square Garden as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier get ready to go toe to toe.

For the first time two undefeated heavyweights will fight for the title, but only one will leave the ring as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. In one corner is Muhammad Ali, 'The Greatest' and a man who put his career, life and reputation on the line for his beliefs. He risked jail and lost over three years of boxing while 'in exile'.

In the opposite corner is Smokin' Joe Frazier, the hard-hitting former abattoir drain man who grew up in poverty but put in the hard yards, graft and work to drag himself to the top of the world. Each fighter is guaranteed $2.5 million, but this is so much more than about the money, this is history in the making,

A four-year journey of taunts, jibes, jokes, miles, bitter blows, clashes and sweet victories brings us to this moment - 10.30 pm, March 8th, 1971. The place is packed with celebrities all craning for the best view of the scheduled 15 rounds of championship boxing, but you have the best seat in the house. So, are you ready?

Let legendary, Grammy award-winning hip-hop star Nas take you ringside for one of the most momentous sporting events of all time. The Fight of The Century - Ali v Frazier.

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Credits:

Presenter - Nas Producer - Mark Sharman Writer - Ayad Andrews Drama Producer - Owen Lewis Executive Producer - Phil Critchlow Executive Producer - Nas Drama Recording - Jerry O’Riordan Sound Design - Micky Curling Original Music - Owen Parker Production Assistant - Gabby Morris and Sera Baker Drama Assistant - Maia Henderson Casting Director - Emma Hearn Archive Producer - Clare Hamman US Production - Dave King Music Production - Simon Hodge

ACTORS

Trevor Dion Nicholas Aaron Pierre David Menkin Courtney Winston Tomini Babs Evlyne Oyedokun Jennifer Armour Earl R Perkins Clinton Liberty Philip Desmeules Jose Palma Finbar Lynch

A TBI Media Production for BBC Sounds.