Today’s DOTD - Drink Of The Day - is The Manila Hotel Julep to celebrate the anniversary of the infamous 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” boxing match between boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. An epic bout of pugilism between two very large men, it ultimately led to Ali being crowned World Champion for a second time.
This fight was the last of a series of three between the men and is consistently regarded as one of the best and most brutal fights in boxing history. Their first fight, billed as the “Fight of the Century,” occurred when neither had yet suffered a defeat. Frazier won this one by unanimous decision, but Ali wasn’t done.
Their second fight was a non-title match held in Madison Square Garden. Ali was aggressive from the start and won in a unanimous decision.
Their final showdown was, as you might guess, held in Manila. President Ferdinand Marcos campaigned hard for the location and paid a hefty sum to make it happen for its value as a distraction from rampant corruption, poverty and impending threats of an insurgency.
Ali didn’t hold back on flinging personal insults at Frazier as the fight drew near, and after having nicknamed Frazier “The Gorilla” he coined the phrase “Thrilla in Manila.” Using his old trademark rhymes, it would be “a killa and a thrilla and a chilla, when I get that gorilla in Manila.”
In the end, the fight was a brutal contest in which Frazier and Ali beat the living crap out of one another. Frazier’s trainer stopped the fight after 14 rounds rather than risk a 15th round. Ali soon collapsed from exhaustion.
While today’s DOTD, The Manila Hotel Julep, won’t knock you out, it definitely packs a punch. So drink in moderation!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’re going to need for this drink:
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