Irons easily contested Slater and his 6 world championships, and both surfing legends became bitter yet remarkable rivals who always pushed each other to improve. After Irons’ untimely death in 2010 Slater expressed sadness in the younger surfer’s passing, calling him a intense competitor and good friend. The fight was so intense that Frazier’s corner forced him to call it after the 14th round, while Ali later went on to state that the match had been the closest he had ever been to dying in the ring.
