Paul Simonetti tells Jack Hirsch all about the day he boxed in the same ring as Frazier and Ali
PAUL SIMONETTI answers the phone with a degree of suspicion. In this day of robocalls that attitude is to be expected. But his demeanor quickly changes when he realises why he is being contacted. The flood of wonderful memories start to come back to Simonetti, now 71, as he gushes over the details of the most exciting night of his life.
Simonetti [
pictured above centre] was a small heavyweight from Pennsylvania, who only had one amateur contest before turning professional. As a pro he compiled a mediocre 11-12-2 (5) record. Of his dozen defeats, seven were inside the distance. Yet he holds a distinction that so few can claim, having shared a ring with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier on the same evening of their “Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden. It was the highlight of Simonetti’s career and one he is darn proud of.