Ayad Andrews Extract from Episode Four of The Fight of the Century – Ali v Frazier

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Ayad Andrews

Extract from Episode Four of The Fight of the Century – Ali v Frazier

By 1970, Joe Frazier is undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion. Muhammad Ali is still barred from professional boxing and under threat of jail. But, while his legal team are exploring ways to circumvent the ban, Ali does whatever he can to make money, including signing a deal to write his autobiography. Frazier and Ali have an odd relationship at this stage – not quite friends (they have had tense run-ins outside the ring), they are still able to share time together, despite Ali’s constant ribbing of Joe. Note – Denise is Joe’s on-off girlfriend, Belinda is Ali’s wife.

Narrator: August 1970, Philadelphia. And here’s Ali, waiting on a ride to New York from the one person you’d least expect…

ext. philadelphia street – day

A woman calls out to Ali.

Elderly woman: We’re all praying for you, Mr Ali. Ali: That’s mighty kind of you, ma’am, I appreciate it. Young woman 1: Hey champ! Go get’ em! Young woman 2: Ain’t he cute.

Ali: My, my, my. The weather is not the only thing that’s hot in Philly today.

fx – car horn

It’s Joe, in a gold Cadillac.

Frazier: (Laughs) Hey! Heavyweight chump! Leave them foxes alone! Ali: The people love me, Joe. What can I say? Frazier: Get in. Careful of the paintwork, the car’s new. Ali: What colour is this Cadillac? I think I burned my eyeballs! Frazier: Jus’ get in, y’already made me late.

fx – car door opens and closes

int. cadillac – continuous

Ali: Did you dress to match the car? That’s alotta yellow, Joe! Frazier: Denise picked it out for me. She says I look real gone. Ali: She still on the scene? Frazier: Nah, we had a bust-up. Happens. She’ll be back. Ali: What’s with the cowboy hat? Frazier: Oh man, didn’t you hear? I’m the sheriff of this town.

Both men laugh as Frazier drives off.

Ali: This is a nice interior. I might have to change my ride. Frazier: What you drivin’?

Ali: Maroon El Dorado but I got my eye on a Rolls. Belinda drives a green station wagon.

Frazier laughs.

Frazier: Man, you may not be ‘The Greatest’ but you sure is ‘The Cheapest’! Ali: What does she need a fancy automobile for? Frazier: So, what’s this koo-koo thing you’ve roped me into? Ali: I’m tellin’ my story. Frazier: What story? Ali: My story! My life story. Frazier: Pff! Who wants to hear that? Ali: Whole world. The public doesn’t know much about Muhammad Ali.

And now Joe is really laughing.

Frazier: Oh man, you’re a trip! What’s left for them to find out?! Ali: I been keeping all the good stuff secret, ready for the day. Frazier: I’d pay you to stop your yakking. How much you gettin’? Ali: Random House wrote me a cheque for two hundred and twenty-five thousand.

Joe whistles.

Frazier: Serious bread. Okay, well, press record on your machine and start your questions.

Narrator: For two hours they shoot the breeze, Ali recording it all to use in his book. They sing songs, badmouth other boxers and discuss how it would go in the ring if they ever got to meet – Ali: Bell goes, start of the fight, I’m dancing, I ain’t gonna hit you, I’m just gonna be dancing. And you ain’t gonna get close to me. Frazier: Now how you gonna keep me off for a whole round? My style don’t let you dance. I’ll be on you so tight you’ll be breathing on my head. Ali: By the third round I’ll be hitting you with whipping jabs, combinations, upper cuts while you come at me with predictable punches. Frazier: Ain’t nuthin’ predictable about my left hook in your glass jaw. Narrator: In New York, they separate, both with business to take care of. Joe, generous as always, loans Ali a hundred dollars so he can get a room for the night. They’ve even bigger business in New York coming soon, but neither man knows that yet.

The Fight of the Century – Ali v Frazier is available now via the BBC Sounds app.