52 years ago

Date: 22nd January 1973

Title: WBC & WBA World Heavyweight Titles

Referee: Arthur Mercante

Tv: Closed circuit television

Joe Frazier
( 29 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 214 lbs

George Foreman
( 37 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 217½ lbs

On the night of January 22, 1973, boxing witnessed one of its most seismic shifts as George Foreman dismantled the reigning heavyweight champion, Joe Frazier, in Kingston, Jamaica. This bout, known as The Sunshine Showdown, saw Foreman claim the WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight championships in a stunning display of power and dominance.

Foreman, weighing 218 pounds, entered the ring with an unblemished record of 37-0, positioning him as the number one contender for Frazier's titles. Frazier, slightly lighter at 214 pounds, had built an impressive 29-0 record, including victories over Muhammad Ali in the "Fight of the Century" and successful defences against Terry Daniels and Ron Stander. The anticipation for this clash of titans was immense, with the fight being broadcast to 225 locations across the U.S. and Canada, drawing an attendance of 36,000 and generating a gate of $412,000.

Despite being the favourite, Frazier was overwhelmed by Foreman's sheer power. Foreman scored six knockdowns in a fight that lasted less than two rounds, prompting referee Arthur Mercante to stop the bout at 2:26 of the second round to protect Frazier from further harm. This victory was so dramatic that Howard Cosell's exclamation, "Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!" would become one of the most iconic calls in sports broadcasting history.

The fight's outcome was a shock to the boxing world. Frazier's iron chin and relentless style had made him seem invincible, but Foreman's victory showcased the emergence of a new heavyweight force. Foreman's win not only crowned him the new heavyweight champion but also marked the beginning of a legendary career that would see him defend his titles easily against José Roman and Ken Norton before his historic loss to Muhammad Ali in "The Rumble in the Jungle."

Frazier's path after this loss was one of determination and resilience. He returned to the ring to defeat Joe Bugner and faced Ali twice more, including their epic "Thrilla in Manila." Though he never reclaimed the heavyweight title, Frazier's legacy as one of the era's greatest fighters remained unblemished.