During the historic Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier match, notorious Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas was present in the audience, which later put him in a dangerous position.
The highly anticipated “Fight of the Century” took place on March 8, 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This event marked the beginning of a remarkable era for boxing and its fighters. It was the first time that the legendary Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier faced off in the ring. Frazier emerged victorious in their initial encounter, winning by unanimous decision after Ali was knocked down in the second round. Adding to the excitement of the fight was the unexpected presence of Frank Lucas, a well-known figure in the world of drugs.
During the 1970s, Frank Lucas discreetly controlled the drug trade in Harlem. However, it was at a Muhammad Ali fight where he made a major blunder by wearing a luxurious chinchilla coat worth $100,000. This extravagant display caught the attention of the police, particularly because Lucas had better seating than influential figures like Diana Ross and Frank Sinatra. Lucas later admitted that this was a grave mistake, as it made him a target for law enforcement.
Frank Lucas’ life story was the inspiration for the movie “American Gangster.” The film portrayed Lucas as a powerful drug lord who held sway over the police and rival gangs. It was only the police who dared to confront him. When a photograph of Lucas at the Ali fight resurfaced and went viral on social media, it captivated fans’ interest.
Frank Lucas, an African American drug lord who dominated Harlem in the 1970s, maintained such a low profile that the police were unaware of his identity in 1971 when he made the ill-advised decision to wear a $100,000 full-length chinchilla coat to a Muhammad Ali boxing match. He later admitted that this was a “massive mistake.”…
Lucas was eventually apprehended and convicted on both federal and state drug charges. He served a substantial prison sentence but cooperated with law enforcement, providing valuable information that led to the prosecution of other drug traffickers.
Ali had been stripped of his titles and banned from boxing due to his refusal to be drafted into the military during the Vietnam War. In his absence, Frazier had claimed the vacant WBC and WBA heavyweight titles. The Ali vs. Frazier bout marked Ali’s comeback to the ring after a hiatus of three and a half years.
The fight lived up to its immense hype, delivering an intense and grueling 15 rounds. Frazier secured victory with a crucial left hook knockdown in the 15th round. This defeat marked Ali’s first professional loss, highlighting the significance of the bout.
The rivalry between Ali and Frazier continued with two more legendary fights: “Super Fight II” in 1974 and the “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975. Ali emerged victorious in both encounters. The trilogy of fights between Ali and Frazier remains etched in the annals of boxing history as one of the most iconic and unforgettable rivalries.
According to the Source firstsportz.com