Sports Throwback Thursday: Ali’s ‘Thrilla In Manila’ Happened 40 Years Ago Today [VIDEO] Christian Datoc Senior White House Correspondent October 01, 2015 10:50 AM ET Font Size: Oct. 1, 1975 marked one of the greatest sporting events in the history of … sporting events. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.WATCH: Floyd Mayweather’s got nothing on The Greatest. Follow Datoc on Twitter and Facebook