Joe Frazier vs. Jimmy Ellis

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With Muhammad Ali undefeated but banned from boxing, Joe Frazier wins recognition as the Heavyweight Champion when he stops WBA Champion Jimmy Ellis after four rounds. Ellis has a strong first round, but Frazier starts getting to him in the second and twice rocks him with big left hooks in the third. Frazier continues to rip Ellis with big shots until a left hook sinks Ellis first to his knees and then onto his face for the first knockdown of his career. Ellis gets back to his feet before the count of 10 and slugs it out, but a brutal left hook from Frazier snaps his head up and sends him collapsing onto his back. Although Ellis miraculously gets up yet again and makes it to his stool, trainer Angelo Dundee mercifully stops the fight before the fifth round.