Ep 2: 1968 - America On The Brink

The Fight Of The Century - Ali v Frazier

1968 and America is a nation divided, violently driven apart on racial fault lines and the ongoing war in South East Asia that is claiming thousands of American lives.

Against this background the USA will be shocked to its core with the deaths of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, brother of slain President John F Kennedy.

Meanwhile Muhammad Ali, under the constant threat of imprisonment due to his stance on the Vietnam War, undertakes lecture tours across the USA to help pay the bills. He’s also a regular visitor to TV talk show studios in order to promote his Islamic faith, his stance on Vietnam and his ongoing quest for racial equality.

Elsewhere, Joe Frazier continues his quest to become heavyweight champion of the world and though he might not be able to fight Ali in the ring, Ali is keen to make his presence felt in anyway he can.

Legendary rapper Nas is your guide as we head back to a year that rocked America. This is 'The Fight of The Century - Ali v Frazier'.

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Credits:

Presenter - Nas Producer - Mark Sharman Writer - Ayad Andrews Drama Producer - Owen Lewis Drama Recording - Jerry O’Riordan Sound Design - Micky Curling Original Music - Owen Parker Production Assistant - Gabby Morris and Sera Baker Drama Assistant - Maia Henderson Casting Director - Emma Hearn Executive Producer - Phil Critchlow Executive Producer - Nas

ACTORS

Trevor Dion Nicholas Aaron Pierre David Menkin Courtney Winston Tomini Babs Evlyne Ovedokun Jennifer Armour Earl R Perkins Clinton Liberty Philip Desmeules Jose Palma Finbar Lynch

A TBI Media Production for BBC Sounds.