Ali Vs. Frazier, Fights of the Century

The "Fight of the Century" at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971, featured undefeated fighters Frazier and Ali. Frazier held the title, while Ali, returning from a three-year exile for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War, sought to reclaim it. Frazier won by unanimous decision after 15 rounds, and Ali later won the rematch on January 28, 1974.

Photographer Jean-Pierre Laffont covered both fights. For the first, he photographed the extravagant crowd in luxurious outfits, as his press credentials limited his access to VIP arrivals. For the second, he had access inside the arena.

Years later, while working on his book "Photographer's Paradise," Laffont's wife discovered photos of Frank Lucas at the 1971 fight. Lucas, the biggest heroin importer from the Golden Triangle, attended in a $200,000 chinchilla coat and hat, attracting the attention of Richie Roberts, head of the Narcotics Task Force. Roberts eventually arrested Lucas, leading to the story told in Ridley Scott's film "American Gangster," starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.

Lucas was sentenced to 50 years in prison in 1976 but became an informant, reducing his sentence and leading to his release in 1991. Richie Roberts later became his attorney and his son's godfather.