55 Years Ago Today, Muhammad Ali Met Joe Frazier in the 'Fight of the Century'

They call it the "fight of the century."

In one corner was Muhammad Ali, the "most charismatic and controversial athlete of the 20th century." In the other corner was Joe Frazier, who had just earned the heavyweight title belt. Both were undefeated. According to Boxing News 24/7, it is still regarded by many as "THE fight."

"It was one of the most publicized and talked about sporting events of all time," according to Sports History Network. More than 300 million people viewed the fight worldwide, History.com reported. It happened on March 8, 1971. But who won? And why is the fight considered so significant? The full fight is available on YouTube.

There Was a Political Dimension to the Bout, Which Occurred During the Height of the Vietnam War

Both Ali and Frazier could lay claim to the heavyweight title, and neither had been beaten. However, the fight transcended sports, according to Boxing News 24/7.

The boxing match occurred during the Vietnam War protest era, and that site reported, Frazier's supporters tended to support the establishment, whereas Ali's were against the war. Thus, the fight became a proxy battle for the ideological and political divide, which was raging in the country.

How did Ali lose his title? According to Sports History Network, he was stripped of the title and "banned from boxing in most states" when he refused to serve in Vietnam due to his religious beliefs. Frazier then won the title, but not initially against Ali. This set up a clash with enormous political symbolism when they met in the ring. According to Sports History Network, both were undefeated and Olympic gold medalists on top of it; their personalities were different, though, with Ali considered brash and cocky, and Frazier more "humble."

“If I thought that my going to Vietnam would help any of the millions of Black people in this country,” Ali declared, according to History.com, “you wouldn’t have to send for me, I’d go. But it won’t. Going to war with these people won’t help my people one bit. I’d rather go to jail.”

The two boxers also had two different styles, Boxing News 24/7, noted, with Ali being known as the "Boxer," and Frazier, the "Puncher." Broadcaster Tim Ryan described Frazier as "a workaday guy, who lived the way he fought: just get in there, throw a hundred punches, be strong, and mind your own business," History.com reported, adding that Frazier had urged President Richard Nixon to give Ali clemency and made no political statements himself, but still became a proxy for establishment support.

Joe Frazier Won the 'Fight of the Century' After 15 Rounds

(L-R) American heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (1942 - 2016) (red trunks) throws a punch on current champion Joe Frazier (1944 - 2011) (green trunks) during their 'Fight of the Century' bout at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, March 8, 1971. Frazier won a decision after 15 rounds. For Ali, who was stripped of his title for his political views, this was his first actual career loss in the ring.

(Photo by Oscar Abolafia/TPLP/Getty Images)

The fight took place at Madison Square Garden, with Frank Sinatra serving as a photographer and Burt Lancaster announcing, according to the Sports History Network.

What happened? "Ali was using his reach advantage to keep Frazier from getting inside, and he was piling up points with his jab. But Frazier’s style was to keep moving forward. He was relentless," Sports History Network explains.

Frazier ended up winning the fight. "After 15 rounds of fighting, Frazier received the title by a unanimous decision. But a few years later, Ali would make a comeback by defeating George Foreman for the title," NPR reported.

According to History.com, "The fight itself lived up to the hype. Ali took control early, but by the sixth he began to tire, weakened by the long layoff and by Frazier’s punches. But even in the ring he continued the verbal taunting he had deployed during the build-up." In the 15th round, Frazier knocked Ali down, ensuring the victory, the site noted.

“I often felt bad for Joe,” photographer John Shearer said, according to an article on the website of UNC Charlotte.

“He was completely miscast as the bad guy in the fight. In so many of the pictures I made of him that winter, when he’s with friends and relaxed, there’s something genuinely charming there but something in his face suggests that if you scratched the surface, you’d find a world of other feelings."

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WATCH: Union City, Michigan, Tornado Lake Video Shows Deadly Twister's Rampage

A bizarre moment happened in Union City, Michigan, when a deadly tornado was captured on video heading along the frozen Union Lake.

The dangerous tornado sliced through trees and houses along the bank of the lake. "Video shows a tornado tearing through a neighborhood in Union Lake, Michigan as severe storms moved across the region," NBC 5 Chicago wrote in a YouTube caption. According to Weather.com, "Union City saw this quick-moving and strong twister churn along the water."

"Oh, I hope everyone is okay over there," a woman says in the video. "Oh my God." The tornado cut a path along the lake. "It's lifting houses off of the...holy (expletive). Oh, my heart is pounding. Oh, I hope they're okay."

"There goes a house," a man said in a second video that also captured the Union Lake tornado tearing along the shore and sending debris flying into the air. Drone footage documented the damage after the tornado had passed through.

Photos also captured the damage from the tornado. Another video showed search efforts extended to the lake. That video also captured extensive damage to lake homes lining the water.

The Union Lake, Michigan, Tornado Left 12 People Injured, Including 3 Dead

Damaged trees are seen following a tornado that hit several cities in rural southwest Michigan on March 7, 2026 in Union City, Michigan. Several people were killed and about a dozen others were injured by the storm in Union City.

(Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

The Union Lake tornado killed three people and injured 12, according to the Branch County Sheriff's Office.

"Our search efforts around Union Lake will be continuing this morning and throughout today. Please avoid the area," the Sheriff's Department wrote on March 7. "I know there are a lot of great people in our community that want to donate items to the victims of the tornado and the area affected. Emergency Management is advising there is not a need for groceries or perishable goods. If you feel you need to do something to help, please make a monetary donation to the Branch County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Unit or the American Red Cross."

According to the Detroit Free Press, the twister was a "surprise tornado." Another person died in Cass County, the Free Press reported.

Debris is left behind following a tornado that hit several cities in rural southwest Michigan on March 7, 2026 in Union City, Michigan. Several people were killed and about a dozen others were injured by the storm in Union City.

(Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

"The storm formed near Edwardsburg and moved over a 50-mile swath through Three Rivers and Union City, causing widespread damage," the Free Press reported.

A tornado in Oklahoma left another two people dead, according to the Free Press.

People Commented on the Unusualness of the Tornado Lake Video

The First Congregational Church is left heavily damaged following a tornado that hit several cities in rural southwest Michigan on March 7, 2026 in Union City, Michigan. Several people were killed and about a dozen others were injured by the storm in Union City.

(Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

People commented on the unusual scene. "And those things move faster than you think. It really picked up steam fast. And I've actually never seen footage of a tornado crossing water....even though it was on the edge of the lake/river," wrote one person on the NBC 5 YouTube account.

"That's a wide one. Can't say it's too often you see one in the colder month, along the frozen, or in these parts trying to cross into the water and island hop. Pretty crazy," another person noted.

According to the National Weather Service, Michigan tornadoes are fairly rare, although there are numerous other documented incidents in the past. June and July are the more common months for tornadoes, the NWS wrote, adding that, previously, zero tornadoes had been reported in March in Michigan.

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Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 Video Shows Terrified Passengers With Hands Up

Viral videos show terrified passengers on a Southwest Airlines Flight from Nashville with their hands up.

One of the videos shows a man being approached by armed Atlanta police officers, although it should be noted that the FBI later determined that any possible threat was not credible, WSB reported. Thus, there should be no implication that the man did anything wrong. It still made for a scary flight for passengers.

A video captured the chant, "Heads down, hands up," as passengers raised their hands.

"Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Friday evening after diverting to respond to a possible security matter," Southwest Airlines told Men's Journal in an emailed statement. "We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and sincerely apologize to our Customers for the significant delay. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees."

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, it's not clear what specifically caused the concern. Southwest did not release those details.

Atlanta Police Removed a Passenger From Flight 2094, Reports Say

A Southwest flight traveling from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale was diverted to Atlanta after a reported security threat that resulted in a passenger being removed from the plane by APD.

Here's footage from that moment. pic.twitter.com/HA7XntmQcF

— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) March 7, 2026

Atlanta police removed a passenger from the flight, according to WSMV-TV.

The incident occurred on Friday evening, March 6, 2026. The flight was headed to Fort Lauderdale, FL, according to WSB.

FlightAware confirmed that the plane was diverted to Atlanta and eventually landed in Fort Lauderdale around 3:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026. According to FlightAware, that flight number has been used for multiple flight paths, including Las Vegas to Baltimore and Nashville to Fort Lauderdale.

The Federal Aviation Administration's flight incidents database doesn't mention the Southwest flight. The FAA only lists an unrelated incident on March 6 that says, "While exiting the deicing pad at Denver International Airport, United Airlines Flight 605 struck a deicing truck around 8:30 a.m. local time on Friday, March 6. This occurred in an area where air traffic control does not manage aircraft. The passengers deplaned and were bused to the terminal. The FAA will investigate."

Other Recent Aviation Incidents Include Small Plane Crashes

A Southwest Airlines plane takes off from Hollywood Burbank Airport on January 29, 2026 in Burbank, California. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated earlier this week that the airport is vulnerable to a mid-air collision with airport officials responding that they are coordinating to improve safety conditions with the FAA.

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Which other aviation incidents have occurred recently? The FAA's database includes several incidents, including small-plane crashes. "A Piper PA-28 crashed in a residential area in Phoenix while inbound to Deer Valley Airport around 7:20 a.m. local time on Wednesday, March 4. Two people were on board. The FAA will investigate," an entry for March 4 reads.

"A Cessna T210 crashed in a residential area in Deerfield, Illinois, around 9:40 p.m. local time on Wednesday, March 4. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates," reads another March 4 entry.

On March 2, "A Cessna 172 crashed into the Hudson River east of New York Stewart International Airport around 8 p.m. local time on Monday, March 2. Two people were on board. The FAA will investigate."

Not all of the incidents involve airplanes. "A Cameron Z-77 hot air balloon struck a guidewire of a radio tower in Longview, Texas, around 8:40 a.m. local time on Saturday, Feb. 28. Two people were on board. The FAA will investigate," reads another March 2 entry.

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Nancy Guthrie Update: Case Hits Concerning Milestone

On, Friday, March 6, the search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, officially entered day 34, and now, it's reached a disturbing milestone.

On Feb. 1, 2026, Nancy Guthrie went missing from her Tucson, Arizona, residence. Authorities believe she was taken against her will, and they're searching for a suspect.

Now, as the case going into day 34, the search for Nancy Guthrie has reached another benchmark, and this is a concerning one.

Nancy Guthrie Update Today: She Is Believed to Have Been Abducted in the Early Hours of Feb. 1

In a late post on Thursday, March 5, investigative reporter Michael Ruiz of Fox News shared that it's now officially "been a full month since the last news conference on the Nancy Guthrie case." So, that's a concerning milestone, and authorities have yet to publicly name a suspect or suspects in the case.

On Thursday, a team led by the FBI was back in her neighborhood to revisit neighbors. According to Ruiz, they picked up at least one item in an evidence bag.

Nest surveillance video recovered shows a masked man on Nancy's doorstep around the time of her suspected kidnapping. So far, authorities haven't announced anything about his identity remains unknown.

"Authorities have said he was wearing a black Ozark Trail backpack," Ruiz states in a post on X. "He's about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and of medium build. That's the extent of his physical description released by the FBI. He also appears to be wearing a holstered firearm in the video."

Ruiz also says that some people who live in the Catalina Foothills say they "have a feeling of unease" surrounding this case.

Nancy Guthrie Plans to Eventually Return to 'Today,' Report States

According to a report from Fox News Phoenix, Savannah Guthrie returned to the "Today" show studio on Thursday, March 5, for the first time since her mother went missing.

"Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her TODAY colleagues," a "Today" show spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement. "While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home."

Also this week, Savannah made her first public appearance since her mother was abducted on Feb. 1. She appeared outside Nancy's home and left flowers at a makeshift memorial for her mother. Later, Savannah posted a photo on social media, stating, "We feel the love and prayers," and "please don't stop praying and hoping with us."

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Mustard on the Beat He Created with PATRÓN's Signature Cork Pop (Exclusive)

The idea is a genius marketing ploy: Commission a heavy hitter to produce a beat featuring PATRÓN's signature cork pop of EL ALTO, the brand's fist premium, high-end tequila.

Enter Dijon Isaiah McFarlane, better known as global superstar DJ Mustard.

The 35-year-old Los Angeles native and "Not Like Us" collaborator got the call and told Men's Journal that he found creating the beat, dubbed "The Signature Cork Pop," incredibly interesting. And why wouldn't he? It's such an obvious concept that it's a wonder it took this long to make it happen, given PATRÓN’s deep-rooted ties in the music industry that span more than three decades.

Ask any millennial, and no doubt they can name at least one song with PATRÓN in the lyrics, or have at least spotted the famous bottle in music videos. PATRÓN has been featured in more than 400 songs, transcending genres and an eclectic list of artists -- from Lil Jon and Robin Thicke to Taylor Swift and Jamie Foxx ("Blame it on the 'Trón," he sings). Then there's superstar Becky G, who famously named her dog PATRÓN. Naturally, PATRÓN sponsored her first-ever tour, "Mi Casa, Tu Casa," in 2023.

Some three years ago, Grammy-winning producer and rapper HitBoy collaborated with Offset for "2Live," which was inspired by a trip to the brand's distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, for the launch of EL ALTO.

Next came Mustard, who soon went to work, taking the incredibly imaginative objective a step further: He deduced PATRÓN's entire packaging, unlike anything anyone's ever seen or heard of.

"Once they gave me the things I could make a beat out of, I was like, 'Oh, that sounds pretty interesting,'" Mustard tells Men's Journal. "I did it at my house, and I recorded the cork pop. But a lot of these sounds are me ripping open the plastic off the cork, or the kick is opening the PATRÓN box. It was an interesting task. When I heard it, I was like, 'Oh, yeah, let's do it!' It was fun."

After the concept came together, it was time to rent out UCLA's most iconic building, Royce Hall, built in 1929 and inspired by Milan's Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio. PATRÓN set up shop inside the 1,800-seat auditorium to film Mustard doing what he does best, letting the creative juices flow.

The empty concert hall and its center stage were the perfect setting to capture Mustard's finished product, which soon dropped on PATRÓN's social media channels ahead of the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

The secret behind Mustard becoming a hitmaker that makes him this generation's trend setter? Keeping it simple, a trademark approach he applied for "The Signature Cork Pop."

"I don't like to use a lot of sounds in any of the records that I do," he says. "It was right up my alley to just use those seven different sounds and some of my normal sounds to bring it to life."

Mustard, who became a DJ at just 11 years old, is credited with redefining West Coast hip hop. The once-in-a-generation talent thrust himself into the spotlight in 2011 with Tyga's "Rack City." The hits kept flowing from there, following collaborations with Roddy Rich, YG, and, of course, K.Dot, better known as Kendrick Lamar.

Mustard created the "Not Like Us" beat on April 6, 2024, at approximately 3 p.m. At that point, Mustard says he had been sending Lamar at least five beats a day, hoping that Compton's favorite son would choose one of his beats so they could finally collaborate. Later that night, around midnight, Lamar "hearted" the beat that ultimately became the diss track of all diss tracks. Less than a month later, Lamar dropped "Not Like Us," a rare Lamar bop that united Los Angeles and the West Coast. Much to his surprise, Mustard couldn't believe Lamar echoed the DJ's trademark tag that kicks off every one of his beats, "Mustard on the Beat, Hoe," which originated in 2011 when YG first blurted it out in "I'm Good."

In a way, "Not Like Us" also became the Dodgers' unofficial anthem during their run-up to the 2024 World Series title. So much so, Mustard agreed to DJ the Dodgers' championship festivities at Dodger Stadium, where he blasted "Not Like Us" as the team got paraded onto the field.

But if "Not Like Us" catapulted him to another stratosphere, then his next Kendrick Lamar collaboration, "TV Off," cemented his status as a hitmaker living on his own planet. (He says he's learned to embrace the famous "MUSTAAAAAARD" scream). 

Hit after hit, Mustard continues to be inspired by the simplest of sounds, a kernel that becomes popcorn. He says there are no "Aha" moments because he nerds out on beats every single day, spending nearly 10 hours a day in the studio when he's not working out to maintain his new, slim figure, or hanging out with his wife, Brittany, and their two children.

"A beat is a part of my life just like writing's a part of yours. I could hear something and be like, 'Hmmm, that sounds interesting.' I'm around it all day. And sometimes I'm not inspired by anything," Mustard says. "I just go in the studio, do stuff, and I'll be like, 'Oh, that turned out good, or maybe today's not so good.' I'm not relying on something. I might hear a sample, and I'm like, 'Okay, that'd be nice to chop up.'"

The process is simple: He hears a beat, slows it down, or pitches it up, and sees what tickles his creative mind.

"It's just whatever feels good to me," says Mustard, who admits his drive home rarely features listening to music. "I'll go off of feeling."

It's not lost on Mustard that his success shines a spotlight on his upbringing. He proudly hails from Los Angeles' Baldwin Hills -- the J (if you know, you know), to be exact -- and carries the neighborhood on his back everywhere he goes, including at last year's Super Bowl Halftime Show, where he appeared at the tail end of the show and swagged out to "TV Off." Mustard's whirlwind year also includes realizing a lifelong dream of collaborating with Heinz on a, yes, new mustard twist.

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But the success hasn't changed him. When he reflects, it's for a nanosecond, if that.

"Sometimes I'll be like, 'Damn, that s--t just really happened. I don't know, man. I still feel like I'm living it because every day there's something new," he says. "Once you hit it for real, it's the gift that keeps on giving."

That said, Mustard's too busy to dwell on all of his accomplishments. Like anyone driven, it's about what's next.

"I'm super grateful and happy about those things, but I feel like if I keep sitting in that moment, I'm going to stay in that moment," he says. "I'm like, 'Yeah, well, I did the Super Bowl.' What's next? What do we do? I try to stay humble and be like, 'Man, that was some crazy s--t.' Like, that was wild. I gotta keep going so I can do other things that are that big, you know?"

If he reflects, it's on his morning walks when he gets up at 7 a.m. to work out. Like his beats, his celebrations are simple: dinner with the wife and spending time with his kids. He's in bed by 10 p.m. and does it all again the next day, every day.

As for who will lay down bars on "The Signature Cork Pop," it's not exactly a mystery.

"I don't think anybody," Mustard says. "I think that's a PATRÓN exclusive. I don't think anybody's going to rap on it. Maybe one of them PATRÓN employees."

If you're curious about popping a bottle of El Alto, be sure to check out the official cocktail PATRÓN rolled out for the Grammys, "The Golden Record," which was crafted in collaboration with globally acclaimed mixologist Daniel González of Licorería Limantour in Mexico City:

The Golden Record
1.5 oz PATRÓN EL ALTO tequila 
1 oz Prosecco
0.5 oz fino sherry tio pepe
2 oz pear cordial
Dash of bergamot bitters (Scrappy Bitters)
Garnish: 3 slices of red grapes

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Patrick Mahomes Shares One-Word Reaction to Chiefs' Blockbuster Trade

The Kansas City Chiefs made their first big offseason move Wednesday, trading cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. McDuffie, a 2022 first-round pick, helped the franchise win two Super Bowls while earning two All-Pro selections.

His departure is a signal that things are changing in KC as the Chiefs retool following their first losing season in over a decade. Superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared his brief thoughts on the trade on social media.

Mahomes issues one-word reaction

We're not sure if Mahomes, who is recovering from a late-season ACL tear, had advance notice of any deal before it happened, but it seems by his tweet in the aftermath that he's disappointed to see McDuffie go.

"Damn," Mahomes wrote.

Damn..

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) March 4, 2026

In four seasons with the Chiefs, McDuffie recorded 246 tackles, eight forced fumbles, three interceptions, 5.5 sacks and 34 passes defensed. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and second-team selection in 2024.

Last April, Kansas City exercised McDuffie's fifth-year option, locking in his 2026 salary at $13.6 million fully guaranteed.

Full details of McDuffie trade

While trading McDuffie is a blow to the Chiefs' defense, they managed to land a haul of assets from the Rams in return.

In addition to the No. 29 overall pick in the first round of this year's NFL Draft, Kansas City will receive 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks and a 2027 third-round pick, sources told ESPN insider Adam Schefter.

With the Rams, McDuffie will be reunited with Jimmy Lake, his former head coach and defensive coordinator at the University of Washington. Lake is currently Los Angeles' passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach.

The Rams still have one first-round pick in April's draft, No. 13 overall, which they acquired in a draft day trade with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025.

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Grammy-Winning Blues Musician Dead at 83

Renowned blues guitarist John Hammond, who won a Grammy and was nominated for several others, died over the weekend. He was 83.

Canadian musician Paul James, a close friend and peer of Hammond, shared the sad news in a Facebook post.

"Marla Hammond called me yesterday with the heartbreaking news that my dear friend John Hammond has passed away. The blues world has lost a giant. I’ve lost my best friend. My heart goes out to Marla and the family. Rest easy, John," James wrote.

 "I’ve just been going through the photos we’ve shared over the years — from the Horseshoe Tavern to Albert’s Hall, from London to Montreal, to Edmonton to Ottawa — and each picture tells a story of great music, great people, and unforgettable nights.” He was such an inspiration to me, I'll miss him terribly...."

Hammond's work remembered

The son of record producer John Henry Hammond Jr., John Paul Hammond (who was also sometimes referred to as John Hammond Jr.) was born in New York City on November 13, 1942. He began playing guitar in high school and made his debut on Vanguard Records in 1963.

During his career, Hammond recorded more than 30 albums, winning a Grammy in 1985 for his contributions on the compilation record Blues Explosion.

Hammond was subsequently nominated for six additional Grammys and in 2011, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Tributes pour in

Paul James confirmed Hammond's death publicly, but he wasn't the only musician to voice their memories and pay tribute to the late star.

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and inspiration, John Hammond, Jr.," wrote Bonnie Raitt on Instagram. "From the first time I heard him on the first blues album I bought, Blues at Newport ‘63 on Vanguard Records, I was just knocked out and have felt that way about him ever since. He was the inspiration for teaching myself blues guitar and learning how to sing these songs we loved so much. He made it cool and all right."

"For more than 50 years, John Hammond, Jr. was an icon, a professional role model and, most importantly, a friend," said George Thorogood. "While we mourn his passing, we celebrate what the man and his music meant to us, and to so many."

"RIP John Hammond Jr. A deeply soulful original voice in the blues tradition. I'm grateful I got to back him up a bunch of times as part of Duke Robillard's band. Thank you, Duke!" added Jesse Williams. "Was just listening to John's album, Southern Fried. So good!! Do yourself a favor."

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