It was 40 years ago and the "Thrilla in Manilla'' Heavyweight World Championship bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier still lives on in sporting lore. The infamous Thrilla in Manila, the third and last match up between the two boxing greats on October 1, 1975, has long been considered one of the best bouts in boxing history.

The contest for the Heavyweight Championship of the World waged at Araneta Coliseum in Manila's Quezon City in the Philippines was won by Ali by TKO (technical knockout) when Frazier's second, Eddie Futch, refused to let Frazier, near-blind from the punishing fight, start the 15th round.

In this photo, spray flies from the head of challenger Frazier as Ali connects with a right in the ninth round of their title fight in Manila. Ali, known for his rhyming poetry, repeatedly made the boast that the bout would be a "killa and a thrilla and a chilla, when I get that gorilla in Manila."

Joe Frazier sticks his chin out as reigning World Champion Muhammad Ali points his fist towards him during a news conference at the Hilton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 1, 1975. Flamboyant fight promoter Don King, center, who announced that the two fighters would meet in a title bout in Manila in October, holds Ali back.

The first Ali-Frazier fight took place in New York's Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971. Frazier, the champ at the time, won the 15-round fight in an unanimous decision. The non-championship rematch in January 1974 went to Ali in a 12-round decision.

In the lead up to the fight, World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, left, points at challenger Joe Frazier at a second news conference in New York City, July 17, 1975. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos offered to host the fight at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila's Quezon City.

World Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali recites a poetic note as he receives a "Smokin" Joe Frazier t-shirt from Frazier's son Marvis, left, upon his arrival in Manila on September 15, 1975.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, left, applauds as challenger Joe Frazier, right, makes some remarks about World Champion Muhammad Ali, second from left, at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on September 18, 1975. Between the two fighters is Marco's wife Imelda.

Joe Frazier grimaces after Muhammad Ali lands a left during fight action in Manila. Ali started out strong, his fast combinations taking their toll on Frazier.

Ali, left, grimaces as he exchanges blows with Frazier in the first round of their title bout at the Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. Frazier suffered from Ali's bruising blows, but fought back.

It was, Ali who would later say, the closest thing to death he had ever known. He and Frazier went 14 brutal rounds in the stifling heat of a Philippine morning before Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch mercifully signaled things to an end, his fighter blind and battered and feeling pretty close to death himself.

Ali, left, brings his gloves to his face as challenger Frazier delivers a right hook in the second round of their championship bout.

Ali peeks through his raised gloves as Frazier backs the champion against the ropes in the third round of their title bout at the Coliseum.

President Ferdinand and first lady Imelda Marcos are seated in the audience in the Coliseum to watch the title bout.

Ali throws a right to the top of Frazier's head in the 13th round in their title bout. By this point, Frazier's face had sustained multiple injuries including a left eye that was swollen shut.

Ali is in the ring surrounded by his trainers, handlers and doctors after winning in the 14th round against Frazier at the Coliseum.

Ali is sprawled on the canvas in his corner of the ring after he collapsed off his chair at the end of the 14th round of the grueling, hard fought bout against Frazier.

President Ferdinand Marcos, left, of the Philippines, presents the President's Trophy to Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali, second from right, after Ali defeated Frazier in their "Thrilla in Manila" fight at the Coliseum. Posing from left are, President Marcos; promoter Don King; Ali's brother, Rahman; Ali, and his father Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr., right.

Ali is surrounded by fight fans as he is led to his dressing room after retaining his crown by a 14th round TKO.

With his face showing the battering he took, Frazier speaks to the media in Manila after he losing his bid for the heavyweight title in his fight against Ali. The two greats of the sport would never meet in a ring again and both retired from boxing in 1981.

More in pictures at CBSNews.com: Muhammad Ali 1942-2016