Smokin Joe Frazier '1978'

January 1978

'Joe Frazier To Return To The Ring, Against His Manager's Wishes'

Smokin Joe Frazier is in negotiations for his return to the boxing ring,
with plans of fighting in March against Earnie Shavers.

Joe who is negotiating for a $1,000,000 fight purse, will battle Shavers on
Network Television. At the moment, the promoters have offered Frazier
$750,000. 'Were are only $250,000 away', said Joe, 'the promoters only have
to take one more step.'

The 33 year-old former champion has been training since November 1977 in his
Philadelphia gym. He has lost weight, and is down to 208 lbs.
He has regained the strength in his legs, and quickness in his hands.
Recent sparring sessions in Cleveland with Leon Spinks have been
spirited, with Joe getting the better of the battles.

Eddie Futch, Joe's manager, is against the fight, stating that Joe had taken too many
punches in his last bouts. Futch said, 'I do not want Joe to participate
in any more ring wars, he has enough money to live a great life, I
don't want him to end up getting hurt.'

Futch further said, 'The final say is up to Joe, it always is, but as his
manager and friend, I say enough.'

When asked about Earnie Shavers power, Joe stated, 'Look, I punch as hard as him. If I land first, he is going out.'

Butch Lewis of Top Rank, the promoters of the bout, will begin second
negotiations with Joe after the Ali - Spinks Championship Bout.

 

March 1978

Smokin Joe Frazier has priced himself out of a bout with #3 Heavyweight Earnie Shavers.

Larry Holmes, the #4 Heavyweight will fill-in, as the bout will be televised from
Las Vegas later this month.

Smokin Joe, has now set his sights on white South African Heavyweight,
Gerrie Coetzee. Coetzee, is undefeated, and is one of the WBA's top-rated
heavyweights. Despite requests from Manager Eddie Futch to hold off on his return,
Frazier is planning to go ahead with the scheduled bout for late-March.

The bout is to take place in South Africa.

 

March 22, 1978

The Joe Frazier vs. Gerrie Coetzee bout scheduled for Saturday Night, March 28 has been cancelled.

South African Coetzee, the white undefeated heavyweight has hurt his right hand
in training. Promoters will attempt to schedule a bout with Kallie Knoetzee, another
white heavyweight for late-April.

The 25 year-old 6' 1" 210 lb. Knoetzee is not as skilled a boxer as Gerrie Coetzee, but he is a
much harder puncher.

The just turned 34 year-old Joe Frazier has been in training for 6-weeks, and appears to be in fight ready form.
The 25 year-old Knoetzee who is another Top-rated WBA Heavyweight, said he will require 4-weeks to
prepare for his bout with Frazier.

Promoters believe that the Frazier-Knoetzee bout could draw 75,000+ spectators.
Fight purses could be in the range of $1,000,000 for the former champion, and $350,000
for the former South African Policeman and Rugby player turner professional boxer.

Kallie Knoetzee is coming off a major upset over Frazier fighter, Duane Bobick in February.
40,000 fans turned out for that bout at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg.

 

April 20, 1978

"Illness May Knock Joe Frazier Out Of His Comeback Plan'

The 34 year-old former Heavyweight Champion is in a Philadelphia hospital,
with viral hepatitis, a debilitating liver disease.

Smokin Joe, who had a scheduled bout with South African Heavyweight
Kallie Knoetzee for Saturday, April 28, will put his comeback attempt on hold.

Eddie Futch, Frazier's manager, said that Joe is expected to recover in a month,
and it will take him another 6-weeks to get ready for a boxing match.
Futch has stated the he does not want the former Champion to return to the ring,
but will be in Joe's corner if he chooses to continue.

Smokin Joe had looked very good in his recent sparring sessions at the Philadelphia Gym.
Eddie Futch did confirm, that he had put qualified fighters in the ring with Joe to
test his stamina and boxing skills, and that Joe performed well in both areas.

 

June 15, 1978

'Smokin Joe To End Comeback Hopes'

Joe Frazier announced today that he no longer will attempt with his
comback efforts to get back into the ring.

'I feel good', said Joe, 'I have reached a decision to let the other guys carry
the sword'. Frazier, who was planning to fight South African Heavyweight
Kallie Knoetzee in April, developed a viral infection that quelled his attempt for a
comeback.

Manager Eddie Futch is relieved at Joe's announcement. 'I was 100% behind Joe's
decision. I didn't want Joe to comeback at all in the first place, but he saw the weakness in
the Heavyweight Division, and felt he could do it again. I told him to let the other guys
play, as there is no reason to continue in a young man's sport.'

Joe said, 'I have no interest in fighting professionally anymore, but if a young fighter
wants to test the water with me in the gym, I will gladly show him my left hook.'

 

Lets not forget,,,,,,that Smokin Joe was having success in sparring with
Leon Spinks in January 1978.

Leon beats Ali at Las Vegas on February 15th.

Joe must have felt that it was an 'omen' to get back into the ring.

"False success', something we all experience....don't you think...

I'm sure 'Smokin Joe' had visions of fighting Leon Spinks for the World Heavyweight Championship.

 

July 10, 1978

'Joe Frazier Wants To Return To The Ring'

Former Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier wants to return to the ring. Only
1 month ago, Joe put his comeback attempt on the shelf, and retired after
suffering a viral infection which put him the hospital.

But after watching Top-Rated heavyweight contender Jimmy Young get beat
by an unknown fighter 2-weeks ago, Joe has new rekindled strength.

Joe said, 'I got sick to my stomach watching Jimmy Young get beat by a rank
amateur. I would have knocked that Ossie kid out in 2 rounds. I just can't sit
by and watch guys who I wouldn't even use as sparring partners get Title shots.'

Frazier said that he would need only 1-week to get ready for that Ossie kid.
'Tell them that the Joe will be Smokin again', as Frazier said with a smile.