Heavyweight Boxers of Yesteryear

I was 11 years old when I watched my first boxing match. I can't remember whether it was live on TV but presume it was a replay on the Beeb. The fight was the unbelievable "Thrilla in Manila." The third and last fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Even now when I watch the fight today, I am struck by the brutality and intensity of this amazing fight.

 "It will be a killa, and a chilla and a thrilla when I get the gorilla in Manila — proclaimed Muhammad Ali."

The fight was in Quazon City,  just outside the capital of the Philippines. It took place on the 1st October 1975.  Ali described the fight as "the closest thing to dying I know of." The following day he also said,  "You get so tired. It takes so much out of you mentally.  It changes you. It makes you a little insane. I was thinking,  what I’m I doing here with this beast of a man? I must be crazy."  Frazier famously proclaimed, "I hit the punches that would have knocked a building down. He took them and came back.".
It's no wonder I was hooked on heavyweight boxers since that day, 1st October 1975. 

I must say that todays heavyweights don't really interest me, these days the fights seem to be driven by promoters and greed. There doesn't seem to be any characters out there, and with the introduction of more boxing organisations and councils, it doesn't bear resemblence to days gone by.

Anyway, here is my attempt to bring back to the fore those boxers who deserve more accolades in honour of their bravery, skill, determination and integrity.
I apologise beforehand for anyone I miss out, please bear in mind this is a work in progress. Also to note, mistakes happen, please let me know if you see any and I will rectify them.