boxes matches, so maybe it is hyperbole, but the hype for ali-frazier, it was like nothing that had come before it. the fighters themselves benefits from the hype and the hoopla. their payday was the two of them personally split $5 million in prize money in 1971 dollars. and whatever else you think about boxing, the sport of boxes is very good about turning big marquee fights, once in a decade match-ups into really big money including for the boxers themselves. probably the biggest after that was mike tyson and evander holyfield. that is the one when mike tyson tried to bite the dude's ear off. and got disqualified.