Smokin Joe Frazier [7-11-2011] Rest easy champion

If you were to tell me the story of Joe Frazier prior to me getting into boxing, and then say it was just some ancient Greek legend, I'd believe you. A combination of a left arm that never healed right, the fact that he only started boxing in his later teens (17 I think), a blind left eye, and the fact that he was only 5'11 in the era where heavy's began getting bigger, and it seems like Joe doesn't have a chance of becoming a significant champion, and that would probably be the case if he was a regular boxer.

But Frazier wasn't a regular boxer, he was an unrelenting warrior with a deadly weapon that would rather have you kill him than have himself let you win. He beat the notables of the late 60s and early 70s and landed a terrific KD on Jimmy Ellis that is probably my favorite KD that didn't result in a KO (either that or Shavers flooring Holmes).

Then the Greatest comes along and thinks he's going to be able to talk Frazier into submission and make his second ascent to the heavyweight throne, but oh no, Frazier wasn't having it. He beat the hell out of Ali, giving him by far his toughest fight to that point in time before finishing possibly the greatest boxing match of all time with a 15th round KD on likely the best chin of any hw champion ever.

Even when he was getting floored 3 times a round against Foreman, he didn't quit, he got up every last time and kept getting ready to fight back against Foreman and gave a great account of himself in both of their fights, giving Ali a rough account of himself between his first defeat to Foreman and Ali's second title ascent.

Even when he was past his best, he gave Ali hell and drove him to his limits. The man was ready to come out for a final round when he was pretty much blind and needed the ref to help him back to his corner by the end of the final round. All of this while Ali was thinking about quitting because the combination of the heat and Frazier made him think he was going to die. Even if he lost the fight, he practically pushed Ali down a flight of stairs for his remaining career as he entered a downward trend of ability.

The last thing about Frazier I have to say is relating to a clip I saw of an interview, sometime in the late 80s. Basically it was a collection of several of the greats of the 70s (Ali, Frazier, Holmes, and some others), and the reporter asked if Holmes could have beaten Mike Tyson in his prime. Holmes said everyone in the room would have been able to beat him and that you wouldn't have even heard of him, he was born at the right time. Frazier promptly disagreed with Holmes and said some very positive things about Tyson, mainly that he was a marksman and highly accurate with his punches and even implied Holmes was wrong when he said everyone of them did that. He told what was right and what he believed and that is truly admirable.

There are so many heavyweights who have demonstrated great heart, but I firmly believe now that NO ONE, not Marciano, not Holyfield, not Ali, had as much heart as Smokin Joe had when you factor in his career, and the limiting factors surrounding his career. RIP Champ.

 

Just read his book about a month ago and he’s easily one of the most likable boxers ever. Great person with an amazing story.

 

The video of Joe I like the most.
When It was posted first time, I almost cried because Joe was always my hero.
R.I.P Champ, there was no quit in you and you would never be forgotten.

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Joe the legend.
He just loved to fight and never really wanted to stop.
He would have feared no fighter, any era or time.

 

A friend who was 9-2 s an amateur boxer made pilgrimage by motorcycle to see Frazier in his last years.
Joe was really gracious with his time & even gifts-like a signed boxing glove.
I got the program to his memorial service, a moving tribute heavy on gospel & love.

Great thread, Frazier deserves all the accolades & more.

 

A great warrior who like,his great nemesis,Ali simply did n't know the meaning of the word "Quit"
In my top 10 all time heavyweight list without a shred of a doubt.

 

One of the most entertaining champions of all time and down to earth people outside the ring, his legacy will be remembered forever. You could really feel that Joe was one of us and his life was an inspirational story of living from the bottom to rising to the top. Even with 2 ATGs in his era he truly cemented himself as the best fighter in the world during his peak. A shame that he is overshadowed by Foreman and especially Ali, but you can't mention their greatest opponents without including Frazier. Also cemented himself among the best of inside fighters, swarmers, and of course the left hook.

 

Loved Joe. Being from Philadelphia he was highly respected by my Pop who met him a few times in the 70's and only had very positive things to say about him. Remember my Pop driving past his home and pointing out to me where he lived. At one time Jimmy Young Frazier and Saad all lived within 5 miles of our house. In the early 90's I trained at Fraziers. Joe was awsome in my book just awsome!

 

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I always liked this little edit of Frazier the music goes so well with the warrior spirit Frazier had.

 

It's been about 12 years since we lost Joe Frazier. RIP champ.

 

Frazier had lots of heart, but I would not knock the others, I mean how many people can overcome having their nose ripped in 2 and coming back to win??? Or Holyfield's epic wars??? All 3 had great heart and I would not put one over the other in that regard. Even Ali belongs in this list of never quit.

 

Rocky owes its debt to Frazier more than anything idc if the Wepner-Ali fight was called the "inspiration". I've never heard anything bad about him and he's a man's man. Worked his ass off his whole life, gave his all in the ring w no back down in him and did what you'd expect from a fighter no diva crap. I wish more fighters had his behavior.

It's screwed up how Alis badmouthing of him affected the social perception of him especially down to his kids. Mainly the "Uncle Tom" crap but I guess putting dirt on another black man's name who was far from it is a very "black pride" thing to do . Still don't wanna harp on it too much as both men r gone now so RIP to both.

Never was too impressed w Alis performance in the second fight. Actually have heard some pll have it for Frazier. Call me biased bcuz I've never met or known either but Frazier just comes off as a better person even if Ali is greater. The trilogy brought out the best of both and the third really was the last of them. Given Alis state after boxing he really shouldn't have fought afterwards imho.