/ AP file

Joe Frazier is directed to the ropes after knocking down Muhammad Ali during the 15th round of their title bout in 1971.

Six years later, Gene Fullmer shocked the boxing world with a 15-round decision over Sugar Ray Robinson.

It was also where George Foreman made his pro debut (1969) and where Roberto Duran won the first (1972) of his four world titles. It was where 1984 Olympic boxing heroes Tyrell Biggs, Mark Breland, Virgil Hill, Evander Holyfield, Meldrick Taylor and Pernell Whitaker all turned professional (on the same Nov. 15, 1984 card).

With the exception of 1943 and 2000, every Golden Gloves championship has been decided in the MSG ring, producing champions including Juan LaPorte, Hector Camacho, Davey Moore and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

For most fight fans, the first Ali-Frazier matchup is the one that comes to mind when talking about the Garden’s famous fights.

“There’s so much nostalgia there,” said Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee, who lived across the street from Madison Square Garden and made his early career there “hustling” preliminary fights and four-round emergency bouts.

Dundee was in Ali’s corner that night.

“I remember the weigh-in ... We never left the building. We had to stay there because of the crowds. We couldn’t get through the people. So we stayed there and rested until the fight. They were four deep around the Garden. They couldn’t get no tickets,” said Dundee, who met his wife of 55 years at the Garden.

The Ali-Frazier fight was televised closed-circuit to 300 million people worldwide.

Although Hall of Fame referee Art Mercante said he lost count of the number of fights he officiated at the Garden, he, too, said it was the Ali-Frazier fight that comes to mind first.

“I’ve done hundreds of fights there. Some important, others not so important,” Mercante said. “But any fight there was something special. There was always an electricity all over the place. And they are true boxing fans there.”

Boxing Hall of Fame Executive Director Ed Brophy likened the MSG ring to Yankee Stadium in baseball or Lambeau Field in football.

“I can’t even begin to imagine the millions of fight fans who share memories linked to this ring,” Brophy said. “The people who came to the Garden in person over the decades. And the people who watched the fights on TV. It touches people across time, and around the world.”

In Canastota, the ring will be set up as an exhibit in the museum’s events pavilion. There will be no more fights.

“It’s going to be a piece of history now.,” Brophy said. “It’s wonderful that boxing fans from around the world who visit here will now be able to sit in a first row, ringside seat next to the most famous ring ever. What an awesome experience.”

More news

Lm Otero / AP file

Should parents let kids play?

  The NFL's head injury issues are causing some parents of youth and high school football players to rethink whether football is safe enough for their children.

Focus on safety in youth, high school football

A few years ago, Omaha businessman Larry Hagan was watching a news report on concussions in high school sports and decided to do something.

CFT: Miami says it's 'committed to the ACC'

Headlines

• Label

5 heavyweight fights top UFC 146 card

Chandler: Motorcycles flying over MMA fighters? Yes!

Days after deaths, another crowd attempts Everest

NJ to defy federal ban, will allow sports betting

Alabama wins first NCAA women's golf title

Off the Bench: This is world's most marketable?

Mich school honors late hoops star at graduation

Castrodale: Don't call us tomboys anymore