Two of the greatest boxers ever also had a war outside the ring. While their three matchups in the ring were watched by all, it was their actions outside of the ring that drove the publicity to frenzied levels. Trash talking is common in boxing, but these two took it to a new level. Before their first fight, Ali called Frazier an "Uncle Tom" and before their last fight he called him a "gorilla". In his autobiography, Frazier said of Ali "I'd like to rumble with that sucker again - beat him up piece by piece and mail him back to Jesus". Frazier also said when he saw Ali light the Olympic flame "If I had the chance, I would have pushed him in".