Just outside of Madison Square Garden's 7th Avenue doors are soaring, decorated, celebratory columns of Garden historical splendor. A center one is plastered with a photograph and these words of a transcending boxing event that soon reaches 40 years old:
``THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY _ MARCH 8, 1971.''
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier.
It was the first of their trilogy of blazing boxing dances, a Garden bash with the nation plus corners of the world all bopping too, transfixed. Ali vs. Frazier. The Greatest vs. Smokin' Joe. Louisville's lip vs. Philadelphia's pride. Peace vs. war. The anti-establishment vs. the establishment.
Ali lost.
But he would win both rematches -- "Ali-Frazier II'' in 1974 and the "Thrilla in Manila'' in 1975.
In losing, Ali gained droplets of mercy and understanding. In losing, he became more than a light of hope. This loss would continue the comeback narrative that marked his heavyweight boxing career, the comeback narrative that has served as the brushstroke of his life. He was knocked down. He got up. He flew.
The Fight of the Century, approaching anniversary 40, proved a grand essential in the larger, more blazing footprints of Muhammad Ali.
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