Why the Devil was forced to pay "The Greatest"

The Story Behind "The Greatest" Betting Incident

In 1969, The New York Times published a satirical article in which the Devil was forced to pay "The Greatest" after betting on Joe Frazier in the upcoming fight against Muhammad Ali. The article poked fun at the hype surrounding the fight and the numerous bets being placed on it, while also using the Devil as a symbol of greed and temptation.

The Devil's bet on Joe Frazier turned out to be a bad decision as Muhammad Ali emerged victorious in the 1971 fight. As a result, the Devil had to pay up, leading to the humorous scenario portrayed in the article.

This satirical take on the sporting event captured the public's attention and imagination, becoming a popular piece of cultural lore that is still referenced and talked about today.

Why did the Devil have to pay "The Greatest"?

The Devil was forced to pay "The Greatest" because he bet on Joe Frazier in the 1971 fight against Muhammad Ali and lost the bet. The humorous scenario was part of a satirical article published by The New York Times in 1969, poking fun at the hype surrounding the match and using the Devil as a symbol of greed.