Thoughts are with the legendary man... Report: Frazier battling liver cancer NewsCore Updated Nov 5, 2011 3:28 AM ET PHILADELPHIA Legendary boxer Smokin Joe Frazier is in the final fight of his life. Frazier, who gave the boxing world the Thrilla in Manila, and many other classic memories, is deathly ill with advanced liver cancer. "Hes in serious shape, were looking for a miracle," a source close to the former heavyweight champ told The New York Post. "Theyre only giving him a short time to live. We need to have as many people as possible praying for Joe right now." A fierce and smothering fighter with a devastating left hook, Frazier, 67, is considered one of the great gentlemen of the sport outside of the ring. His captivating bouts with Muhammad Ali put boxing in the spotlight for a new generation of fans as the sport truly became The Main Event. The Thrilla in Manila, the third fight of their epic encounters, was one of the greatest fights of them all. Both boxers were near exhaustion when Fraziers trainer, Eddie Futch, ended the fight in Alis favor after 14 punishing rounds. Ali entered the ring thinking he was fighting a washed up Frazier, and insulted Frazier often leading up to the fight, calling him a "gorilla." Deeply hurt by the comments, Frazier came at Ali with a vengeance. At one point Ali, gaining new respect for Frazier, whispered in his ear, "Joe, they told me you was all washed up." His response to Ali was classic, "They told you wrong, pretty boy." Throughout those middle rounds, Frazier continued to come at Ali with vicious body blows. After the fight, Ali, who now suffers from Parkinsons disease, admitted, "It was the closest Ive come to death." Frazier retired shortly after that battle and became an ambassador for the sport. He also started a singing career, billed as Joe Frazier and the Knockouts. "Joe is one of the sweetest guys you could ever meet," a friend said. "Sometimes wed be driving down the highway and see a car broken down and we would have to go out and help somebody. Thats Joe Frazier."
..in the words of Eddie Futch atfter that 14th round in Manilla.."sit down son..no-ones gonna forget what you did here today.."
This is sad to hear. A Great Man and a Great Fighter, He will always be a legend and respected for years to come, We will look back in time in a hundred years and say he was a part of an elite group of fighters. My thoughts are with Mr Frazier and his family. As Rocky Marciano Would say "Keep Punching"
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo , SMOKEN JOE epitemises the blue collar , working class battler , not blessed with real heavyweight skills [except the greatest left hook ever and a will that only a handful of men have ever had] or physical size , he overcome the odds . imagine if he had 2 good eyes history would show that ali had the gloves cut off at the start of round 15 in marcosville
