Joe Frazier

This article is about the boxer. For other people, seeJoe Frazier (disambiguation).

Joe Frazier
Frazier in 1971
Born	Joseph William Frazier (1944-01-12)January 12, 1944 Beaufort, South Carolina,U.S.
Died	November 7, 2011(2011-11-07)(aged 67) Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S.
Other names	Smokin' Joe
Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	5 ft11+1⁄4in (181 cm)
Reach	73+1⁄2in (187 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	37
Wins	32
Wins by KO	27
Losses	4
Draws	1
Medal record Men'samateur boxing RepresentingUnited States Olympic Games 1964 Tokyo Heavyweight

Joseph William Frazier(January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011), nicknamed "Smokin' Joe",was an Americanprofessional boxerwho competed from 1965 to 1981. Widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, he was known for his strength, durability, formidable left hand, and relentlesspressure fightingstyle and was the first boxer to defeatMuhammad Ali.Frazier won a gold medal at the1964 Summer Olympicsas anamateur,held theNYSACheavyweight titlefrom 1968 to 1973, and was theundisputedheavyweightchampion from 1970 to 1973.

Frazier emerged as the top contender in the late 1960s, becoming undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970. In 1971, he defeated Ali by unanimous decision in the highly anticipatedFight of the Century.Two years later, Frazier lost his title toGeorge Foreman.Frazier's last world title challenge came in 1975, but he was beaten by Ali in the brutalrubber match,theThrilla in Manila.Frazier retired in 1976 after a second loss to Foreman but made a comeback in 1981, before retiring for good with a record of 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. The International Boxing Research Organization rates Frazier among the ten greatest heavyweights of all time.

The Ringmagazine named himFighter of the Yearin 1967, 1970, and 1971, and theBoxing Writers Association of America(BWAA) named himFighter of the Yearin 1969, 1971, and 1975. In 1999,The Ringranked him the eighth greatest heavyweight.He is an inductee of both theInternational Boxing Hall of Fameand the World Boxing Hall of Fame, having been a part of the inaugural induction class of 1990 for the IBHF.

His style was often compared with that ofHenry Armstrongand occasionallyRocky Marcianoand was dependent on bobbing, weaving, and relentless pressure to wear down his opponents. His best-known punch was a powerful lefthook,which accounted for most of his knockouts. In his career, he lost to only two fighters, both former Olympic and world heavyweight champions: twice to Muhammad Ali and twice to George Foreman.

Frazier continued to train fighters in his gym in Philadelphia. His attitude towards Ali in later life was largely characterized by bitterness and contempt but was interspersed with brief reconciliations.

Early life

Frazier was born January 12, 1944,the twelfth child of Dolly Alston-Frazier and Rubin inBeaufort, South Carolina.He was raised inLaurel Bay, South Carolina,a rural community inBeaufort County, South Carolina.Frazier said that he was always close to his father, who carried him when he was a toddler "over the 10 acres of farmland" the Fraziers worked assharecroppers"to the still where he made his bootleg corn liquor, and into town on Saturdays to buy the necessities that a family of 10 needed." He was affectionately called "Billie Boy".

Rubin Frazier had his left hand and part of his forearm amputated in a tractor accident the year that his son was born. Rubin Frazier and his wife, Dolly, had been in their car when their friend Arthur Smith, who was drunk, made a move for Dolly but was rebuffed. Stefan Gallucci, a local barkeep, recounted the experience. When the Fraziers drove away, Smith fired at them several times and hit Dolly in the foot and Rubin several times in his arm. Smith was convicted and sent to prison but did not stay long. Dolly said, "If you were a good workman, the white man took you out of jail and kept you busy on the farm."

Frazier's parents worked their farm with two mules: Buck and Jenny. The farmland was what country people called "white dirt, which is another way of saying it isn't worth a damn." They could not grow peas or corn on it, only cotton and watermelons.

Introduction to boxing

In the early 1950s, Frazier's father bought a black and white television, and the family and others nearby came to watch boxing matches on it. Frazier's mother sold drinks for a quarter as they watched boxers likeSugar Ray Robinson,Rocky Marciano,Willie Pep,andRocky Graziano.One night, Frazier's uncle, Israel, noticed his stocky build. "That boy there... that boy is gonna be anotherJoe Louis",he remarked. The words made an impression on Joe. His classmates at school would give him a sandwich or a quarter to walk with them at final bell so that bullies would not bother them. Frazier said," Any 'scamboogah' [disrespectful, low-down and foul person] who got in my face would soon regret it; Billie Boy could kick anybody's ass. "The day after his uncle's comment, Frazier filled an old burlap sack with rags, corncobs, a brick, andSpanish moss.He hung the makeshift heavybag from an oak tree in the backyard. "For the next 6, 7 years, damn near every day I'd hit that heavybag for an hour at a time. I'd wrap my hands with a necktie of my Daddy's, or a stocking of my Momma's or sister's, and get to it," he remarked.

Early work

Not long after Frazier started working, his left arm was seriously injured while he was running from the family's 300-pound hog. One day, Frazier poked the hog with a stick and ran away. The gate to the pigpen was open, however, and the hog chased him. Frazier fell and hit his left arm on a brick. His arm was torn badly, but as the family could not afford a doctor, the arm had to heal on its own. He was never able to keep it fully straight again.

When Frazier was 15 years old, he had been working on a farm for a family named Bellamy. They were both white men: Mac was younger and more easy-going, and Jim was rougher and somewhat backward. One day, a black kid about 12 years old accidentally damaged one of the Bellamys' tractors. Jim became so enraged he took off his belt and whipped the boy with his belt right there in the field. Frazier saw the event and went back to the packing house on the farm and told his black friends what he had seen. Soon, Jim saw Frazier and asked him why he told others what he had witnessed. Joe then told Bellamy he did not know what he was talking about. But Jim did not believe Frazier, and he told Frazier to get off the farm before he took off his belt again. Frazier told him to keep his pants up because he was not going to use his belt on him. Jim then analyzed Frazier for a bit and eventually said, "Go on, get the hell outta here." Joe knew from that moment it was time for him to leave Beaufort, and he could see only hard times and low rent for himself. Even his mother could see it. She told Frazier, "Son, if you can't get along with the white folks, then leave home because I don't want anything to happen to you."

The train fare from Beaufort to the cities up north was costly, and the closest bus stop was in Charleston, 75 miles (121 km) away. In 1958, aGreyhound Linesbus called "The Dog" by locals in Beaufort, made Beaufort a stop on its South Carolina route. Frazier had a brother, Tommy, in New York, and was told that he could stay with Tommy and his family. Frazier had to save up a bit before he could make the bus trip to New York and still have some money in his pocket, so he first went to work at the localCoca-Colaplant. Frazier recalled that the white guy would drive the truck and that he would do the real work stacking and unloading the crates. He worked with Coca-Cola until the government began building houses for theMarinesstationed atParris Island,when he was hired on a work crew at Parris Island.

Departure for Philadelphia

Nine months eventually passed since he got the boot from the Bellamy farm. With no fanfare and no tearful goodbyes, Frazier packed quickly and got the first bus heading north, where he settled inPhiladelphia."I climbed on the Dog's back and rode through the night. It was 1959; I was 15 years old and I was on my own," he later said.

Career

Amateur boxing

During Frazier's amateur career, he won Golden Glovesheavyweightchampionships in 1962, 1963, and 1964. His only loss in three years as an amateur was toBuster Mathis.Mathis would prove to be Joe's biggest obstacle to making the 1964 U.S. Olympic boxing team. They met in the final of the U.S. Olympic trials at the New York World's Fair in the summer of 1964. Their fight was scheduled for three rounds and they fought with 10-oz gloves and with headgear, but the boxers who made it to Tokyo would wear no headgear and would wear 8-oz gloves. Frazier was eager to get back at Mathis for his only amateur loss and knocked out two opponents to get to the finals. However, once again when the dust settled, the judges had called it for Mathis, undeservedly Joe thought. "All that fat boy had done was run like a thief- hit me with a peck and backpedal like crazy," he would remark.

Mathis had worn his trunks very high so that when Frazier hit Mathis with legitimate body shots, the referee took a dim view of them. In the second round, the referee had gone so far as to penalize Joe two points for hitting below the belt. "In a three-round bout a man can't afford a points deduction like that," Frazier said. He then returned toPhiladelphiaand felt as low as he had ever been and even thought of giving up boxing. Duke Dugent and his trainer, Yank Durham, were able to talk him out of his doldrums and even suggested that Frazier make the trip toTokyoas an alternate in case something happened to Mathis. Frazier agreed and was a workhorse there, sparring with any of the Olympic boxers who wanted some action. "Middleweight,light heavyweight,it didn't matter to me, I got in there and boxed all comers, "he said. In contrast, Mathis was slacking off. In the morning, when the Olympic team would do their roadwork, Mathis would run a mile and start walking and say," Go ahead, big Joe. I'll catch up. "

Frazier's amateur record was 38–2.

1964 Summer Olympics

Further information:Boxing at the 1964 Summer Olympics

In 1964, heavyweight representative Buster Mathis qualified but was injured, and so Frazier was sent as a replacement. At theheavyweight boxing event,Frazier knocked outGeorge OywelloofUgandain the round of 16, then knocked outAthol McQueenofAustralia40 seconds into the quarter-finals. He was the only American boxer left at the semi-final stage, facing the 6'2 ", 214-lbVadim Yemelyanovof the Soviet Union.

"My left hook was a heat-seeking missile, careening off his face and body time and again. Twice in the second round I knocked him to the canvas. But as I pounded away, I felt a jolt of pain shoot through my left arm.Oh damn, the thumb,"Frazier said. He knew immediately the thumb of his left hand was damaged, but he was unsure as to the extent." In the midst of the fight, with your adrenaline pumping, it's hard to gauge such things. My mind was on more important matters. Like how I was going to deal with Yemelyanov for the rest of the fight. "The match ended when the Soviet's handlers threw in the towel at 1:49 in the second round, and the referee raised Frazier's injured hand in victory.

Now that Frazier was into the final, he mentioned his broken thumb to no one. He went back to his room and soaked his thumb in hot water andEpsom salts."Pain or not, Joe Frazier of Beaufort, South Carolina, was going for gold," he proclaimed. He went on to fight GermanHans Huber,eight years his senior. Frazier was now used to fighting bigger guys, but not with a damaged left hand. When the opening bell sounded on fight night, Joe came out, started swinging punches, and threw his right hand more than usual that night. Every so often, he would use his left hook, but nothing landed with the kind of impact that he had managed in previous bouts. He won a 3–2 decision.

Professional career

After Frazier won the only American 1964 Olympic boxing gold medal, his trainer Yancey "Yank" Durham helped put together Cloverlay, a group of local businessmen (including a youngLarry Merchant) who invested in Frazier's professional career and allowed him to train full time. Durham was Frazier's chief trainer and manager until Durham's death in August 1973.

Frazier turned professional in 1965 by defeating Woody Goss by a technical knockout in the first round. He won three more fights that year, all by knockout and none going past the third round. Later that year, he was in a training accident that left him legally blind in his left eye.During pre-fight physicals, after reading the eye chart with his right eye, when prompted to cover his other eye, Frazier switched hands but covered his left eye for a second time, and state athletic commission physicians seemed not to notice or act.

Frazier's second contest was of interest in that he was decked by Mike Bruce. Frazier took an "8" count by referee Bob Polis but rallied for a TKO over Bruce in the third round.

In 1966, as Frazier's career was taking off, Durham contactedLos AngelestrainerEddie Futch.The two men had never met, but Durham had heard of Futch, who had a reputation as one of the most respected trainers in boxing. Frazier was sent to Los Angeles to train before Futch agreed to join Durham as an assistant trainer. With Futch's assistance, Durham arranged three fights in Los Angeles against journeyman Al Jones, veteran contenderEddie MachenandGeorge "Scrap Iron" Johnson.Frazier knocked out Jones and Machen but surprisingly went through 10 rounds with journeyman Johnson to win a unanimous decision. Johnson had apparently bet all his purse that he would survive to the final bell, notedRing Magazine,and he somehow achieved it. However Johnson was known in the trade as "impossibly durable".

After the Johnson match, Futch became a full-fledged member of the Frazier camp as an assistant trainer and strategist, who advised Durham on matchmaking. It was Futch who suggested that Frazier boycott the 1967WBAHeavyweightElimination Tournament to find a successor to Muhammad Ali after the Heavyweight Champion was stripped of his title for refusing to be inducted into the military, although Frazier was the top-ranked contender at the time.

Futch proved invaluable to Frazier as an assistant trainer and helped modify his style. Under Futch's tutelage, Frazier adopted the bob-and-weave defensive style by making him more difficult for taller opponents to punch and giving Frazier more power with his own punches. Futch remained based in Los Angeles, where he worked as a supervisor with theUS Postal Service,and flew to Philadelphia to work with Frazier during the final preparations for all of his fights.

After Durham died of a stroke on August 30, 1973, Futch was asked to succeed him as Frazier's head trainer and manager. He was training the heavyweight contenderKen Norton,who lost a rematch against Ali less than two weeks before Durham's death. Then, Norton's managers, Robert Biron and Aaron Rivkind, demanded that Futch choose to train either Frazier or Norton, with Futch choosing Frazier.

Mid-to-late 1960s

Now in his second year, in September 1966 and somewhat green, Frazier won a close decision over rugged contenderOscar Bonavena,despite Bonavena flooring him twice in the second round. A third knockdown in that round would have ended the fight under the three knockdown rule. Frazier rallied and won a close split decision after 10 rounds. The Machen win followed that contest.

In 1967, Frazier stormed ahead winning all six of his fights, including a sixth-round knockout ofDoug Jonesand a brutal fourth round (TKO) of CanadianGeorge Chuvalo.No boxer had ever stopped Chuvalo, but Frazier, despite the stoppage, was unable to floor Chuvalo, who would never be knocked down in his entire career despite fighting numerous top names.

By February 1967, Joe had scored 14 wins and his star was beginning to rise. This culminated with his first appearance on the cover ofRing Magazine.That month, he met Ali, who had not yet been stripped of his title. Ali said that Joe would never stand a chance of "whipping" him even in his wildest dreams. Later that year, Muhammad Ali was stripped of his world heavyweight title because of his refusal to accept themilitary draftduring theVietnam War.

To fill the vacancy, theNew York State Athletic Commissionheld a bout between Frazier andBuster Mathis,who were undefeated going into the match, with the winner to be recognized as "World Champion" by New York State. Although the fight was not recognized as a World Championship bout by some, Frazier won by a knockout in the 11th round and staked a claim to the Heavyweight Championship.

Laying claims

Frazier first defended his claim by beating hard-hitting prospectManuel RamosofMexico.His victory came in only two rounds.

He closed 1968 by again beatingOscar Bonavenavia a 15-round decision in a hard-fought rematch. Bonavena fought somewhat defensively and allowed himself to be often bulled to the ropes, which let Frazier build a wide points margin.Ring Magazineshowed Bonavena afterwards with a gruesomely bruised face. It had been a punishing match.

In 1969, Frazier defended his NYSAC title in Texas and beat Dave Zyglewicz, who had lost only once in 29 fights, by a first-round knockout. Then, he beatJerry Quarryin a seventh-round stoppage. The competitive, exciting match with Quarry was namedRing Magazinefight of the year in 1969. Frazier showed he could do a lot more than just slug by using his newly honed defensive skills to slip, bob, and weave a barrage of punches from Quarry despite Quarry's reputation as an excellent counter-punching heavyweight.

World Championship win

On February 16, 1970, Frazier facedWBAChampionJimmy EllisatMadison Square Garden.Ellis had outpointed Jerry Quarry in the final bout of the WBA elimination tournament for Ali's vacated belt. Frazier had declined to participate in the WBA tournament to protest their decision to strip Ali. Ellis held impressive wins over Oscar Bonavena andLeotis Martin,among others. Beforehand, Ali had announced his retirement and relinquished the Heavyweight title, allowing Ellis and Frazier to fight for the undisputed title, but both lacked any lineal claim. Frazier won by a technical knockout when Ellis's trainerAngelo Dundeewould not let him come out for the fifth round following two fourth-round knockdowns, the first knockdowns of Ellis's career. Frazier's decisive win over Ellis was a frightening display of power and tenacity.

In his first title defense, Frazier traveled to Detroit to fight WorldLight HeavyweightChampionBob Foster,who would go on to set a record for the number of title defenses in the light-heavyweight division. Frazier (26–0) retained his title by twice flooring the hard-punching Foster in the second round. The second knockdown was delivered by a devastating left hook, and Foster could not beat the count. Then came what was hyped as the "Fight of the Century",his first fight withMuhammad Ali,who had launched a comeback in 1970 after a three-year suspension from boxing. It would be the first meeting of two undefeated heavyweight champions (and the last untilMike TysonfacedMichael Spinksin 1988) since Ali (31–0) had not lost his title in the ring but been stripped because of his refusal to be conscripted into the armed forces. Some considered him to be the true champion, and the fight would crown the one true heavyweight champion.

Fight of the Century: first fight versus Ali

Main article:Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali

On March 8, 1971, atMadison Square Garden,Frazier and Ali met in the first of their three bouts which was called the "Fight of the Century".With an international television audience and an in-house audience that included singers and actors and withBurt Lancaster(who served as "color commentator" with the fight announcer,Don Dunphy), both undefeated heavyweights met in a media-frenzied atmosphere.

Several factors came together for Frazier in the fight. He was 27 and mentally and physically at his peak. Ali was 29 and coming back from a three-year absence. He had had two good wins in his comeback, including a bruising, fifteen-round technical knockout win overOscar Bonavena.

Frazier and Futch noticed Ali's tendency to throw a right-hand uppercut from a straight standing position after dropping the hand in preparation to throw it with force. Futch instructed Frazier to watch Ali's right hand and, once Ali dropped it, to throw a left hook at the spot that they knew Ali's face would be a second later.

In a brutal and competitive contest, Frazier lost the first two rounds but was able to withstand Ali's combinations. Frazier was known to improve in middle rounds, which was the case with Ali. Frazier came on strong after the third round by landing hard shots to the body and powerful left hooks to the head. Frazier won a 15-round unanimous decision, with scores of 9–6, 11–4, 8–6–1, and claimed the lineal title. Ali was taken to a hospital immediately after the fight to check that his severely-swollen right-side jaw was not actually broken. Frazier also spent time in hospital during the ensuing month, the exertions of the fight having been exacerbated by hypertension and a kidney infection.

Later that year, he fought a three-round exhibition against hard-hitting veteran contenderCleveland Williams.In 1972, Frazier successfully defended the title twice by knocking out Terry Daniels andRon Standerin the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively. Daniels had earlier drawn with Jerry Quarry and Stander had knocked outEarnie Shavers.

Title loss to George Foreman

Main article:Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman

Frazier lost his undefeated record of 29–0 and his world championship, at the hands of the unbeatenGeorge Foremanon January 22, 1973, inKingston, Jamaica.Despite Frazier being the overall favorite, Foreman towered 10 cm (4 in.) over the more compact champion along with an 8 in. reach advantage and dominated from the start. Over the course of two rounds, Foreman managed to knock Frazier down six times en route to a technical knockout victory.

Frazier won his next fight, a 12-round decision overJoe Bugner,in London to begin his quest to regain the title.

Mid-1970s: second fight against Ali

Main article:Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II

Promotional photo for the January 1974Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier IIfight atMadison Square Garden

Frazier's second fight against Ali took place on January 28, 1974, in New York City. In contrast to their previous meeting, the bout was a non-title fight, with Ali winning a 12-round unanimous decision. The fight was notable for the amount ofclinching.After the fight Tony Perez, when asked about the violation from Ali, he replied that the only violation is if you hold and hit at the same time, although Ali was holding Frazier but he was not hitting.

Five months later, Frazier again battled Jerry Quarry in Madison Square Garden by winning the fight in the fifth round with a strong left hook to the ribs.

In March 1975, Frazier fought a rematch with Jimmy Ellis inMelbourne,Australia, and knocked him out in nine rounds. The win again established Frazier as the top heavyweight challenger for the title, which Ali had won from Foreman in the famous "Rumble in the Jungle"five months earlier.

Thrilla in Manila: third Ali fight

Main article:Thrilla in Manila

Muhammad Aliand Frazier met for the third and final time in Cubao,Quezon City,which is a city withinMetro Manila,thePhilippines,on October 1, 1975. Prior to the fight, Ali took opportunities to mock Frazier by calling him a ' "gorilla" and generally trying to irritate him.

The fight was a punishing display on both sides under oppressively-hot conditions. During the fight, Ali said to Frazier, "They said you were through, Joe." Frazier said, "They lied." Ali repeatedly held Frazier around the back of his neck with his right hand, a violation of the rules that went unpunished by the referee. After 14 grueling rounds, Ali returned to his corner demanding they cut his gloves and end the bout.However, Dundee ignored Ali. This proved fortuitous, as across the ring, Futch stopped the fight out of concern for his charge. Frazier had a closed left eye, an almost-closed right eye, and a cut. Ali later said that it was the "closest thing to dying that I know of."

In 1977, Ali told interviewerReg Gutteridgethat he felt this third Frazier fight was his best performance. When Gutteridge suggested his win over Cleveland Williams, Ali said, "No, Frazier's much tougher and rougher than Cleveland Williams."

Second fight with Foreman

In 1976, Frazier (32–3) fought George Foreman for a second time, shaving his head for the fight. Frazier was more restrained than usual and avoided walking into big shots like he had done in their first match. However, Foreman lobbed a tremendous left hook that lifted Frazier off his feet. After a second knockdown, the fight was stopped in the fifth round. Shortly after the fight, Frazier announced his retirement.

Frazier made a cameo appearance in the movieRockylater in 1976 and dedicated himself to training local boxers inPhiladelphia,where he grew up, including some of his own children. He also helped trainDuane Bobick.

1980s comeback and career as trainer

In 1981, Frazier attempted a comeback. He drew over 10 rounds with hulkingFloyd "Jumbo" CummingsinChicago,Illinois.It was a bruising battle with mixed reviews. He then retired for good.

Then, Frazier involved himself in various endeavors. Among his sons who turned to boxing as a career, Frazier helped trainMarvis Frazier,a challenger forLarry Holmes's world heavyweight title. He also trained his daughter,Jacqui Frazier-Lyde,who became aWIBAworldlight-heavyweightchampion whose most notable fight was a close majority decision points loss againstLaila Ali,the daughter of his rival.

Frazier's overall record was 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with 27 wins by knockout. He won 73% of his fights by knockout, compared to 60% for Ali and 84% for Foreman. He was a member of theInternational Boxing Hall Of Fame.

In 1984, Frazier was the special referee for theNWA World Heavyweight Championshipmatch betweenRic FlairandDusty Rhodesat Starrcade '84. He awarded the match to Flair because of Rhodes's excessive bleeding.

In 1986, Frazier appeared as the "cornerman" forMr. TagainstRoddy PiperatNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseumas part ofWrestleMania 2.In 1989, Frazier joined Ali, Foreman, Norton, and Holmes for the tribute specialChampions Forever.

Frazier was inducted into theMadison Square Garden Walk of Famein 1996.

Other work

Media appearances

Frazier appeared as himself in an episode ofThe Simpsons',"Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?",in 1992, in which he was supposed to have been beaten up byBarney GumbleinMoe's Tavern.Frazier's son objected, so Frazier was instead shown beating up Gumble and putting him in a trash can. Frazier appeared in another episode ofThe Simpsons– "Homer's Paternity Coot"in 2006. He appeared on-screen in the 8th series ofThe Celebrity Apprentice(USA) television show as a guest-attendee at a Silent Auction event held for the season finale (won byJoan Rivers). Frazier appeared as himself in theAcademy Award-winning 1976 movie,Rocky.Since the debut of the Fight Night series of games made byEA Sports,Frazier appeared inFight Night 2004,Fight Night Round 2,Fight Night Round 3,Fight Night Round 4andFight Night Champion.

Books

Frazier released his autobiography in March 1996, entitledSmokin' Joe: The Autobiography of a Heavyweight Champion of the World, Smokin' Joe Frazier.Frazier promoted the book with a memorable appearance onThe Howard Stern Showon January 23, 1996.

He also wroteBox like the Pros,"a complete introduction to the sport, including the game's history, rules of the ring, how fights are scored, how to spar, the basics of defence and offence, the fighter's workout, a directory of boxing gyms, and much more. Box Like the Pros is an instruction manual, a historical reference tool and an insider's guide to the world's most controversial sport."

Financial issues and legal battles

Joe Frazier's Gym,where Frazier trained and lived, at 2917N. Broad StreetinPhiladelphia

According to an article from TheNew York Times,"over the years, Frazier has lost a fortune through a combination of his own generosity andnaïveté,his carousing, and failed business opportunities. The other headliners from his fighting days—Ali,George Foreman,andLarry Holmes—are millionaires. "Asked about his situation, Frazier became playfully defensive, but would not reveal his financial status." Are you asking me how much money I have? "he said." I got plenty of money. I got a stack of $100 bills rolled up over there in the back of the room. "Frazier blamed himself, partly, for not effectively promoting his own image. In a 2006HBOdocumentary on the fight in Manila, Frazier was interviewed living in his one-room apartment on the second floor of his gym inPhiladelphia.

His daughterJacqui Frazier-Lydeis a lawyer and worked on her father's behalf in pursuit of money they claimed he was owed in a Pennsylvania land deal. In 1973, Frazier purchased 140 acres inBucks County, Pennsylvania,for $843,000. Five years later, a developer agreed to buy the farmland for $1.8 million. Frazier received annual payments from a trust that bought the land with money he had earned in the ring. However, when the trust went bankrupt, the payments ceased.

Frazier sued his business partners, insisting his signature had been forged on documents and he had no knowledge of the sale. In the ensuing years, the 140 acres was subdivided and turned into a residential community. The land is now worth an estimated $100 million.

Relationship with Muhammad Ali

Frazier and Ali were initially friends. During Ali's enforced three-year lay-off from boxing for refusing to be drafted into theU.S. Army,Frazier lent him money, testified beforeCongressand petitionedUS PresidentRichard Nixonto have Ali's right to box reinstated.Frazier supported Ali's right not to serve in the army: "IfBaptistsweren't allowed to fight, I wouldn't fight either. "

However, in the build-up to their first fight, theFight of the Century,Ali turned it into a "cultural and political referendum" by painting himself as a revolutionary and civil rights champion and Frazier as the white man's hope. Ali called him an "Uncle Tom"and a pawn of the white establishment as Frazier called him Clay.Ali successfully turned many black Americans against Frazier because Frazier never spoke out about race issues, and Ali could easily paint himself as hero to oppressed black people.Bryant Gumbeljoined the pro-Ali anti-Frazier bandwagon by writing a major magazine article that asked, "Is Joe Frazier a white champion with black skin?" Frazier thought that was "a cynical attempt by Clay to make me feel isolated from my own people. He thought that would weaken me when it came time to face him in that ring. Well, he was wrong. It didn't weaken me, it awakened me to what a cheap-shot son of a bitch he was." Ali's camp also hurled many insults at Frazier, calling him an "ugly gorilla", though Ali had also compared other opponents to animals. He noted the hypocrisy of Ali calling him an Uncle Tom when his [Ali's] trainer (Angelo Dundee) was of Italian descent.When told by Michael Parkinson that Frazier was not an Uncle Tom, he responded by saying, "Then why does he insist on calling me Cassius Clay when even the worst of the white enemies recognize me as Muhammad Ali?"

As a result of Ali's campaign, Frazier's children were bullied at school, and his family was given police protection after receiving death threats.Ali declared that if Frazier won, he would crawl across the ring and admit that Frazier was the greatest. After Frazier won by a unanimous decision, he called upon Ali to fulfill his promise and crawl across the ring, but Ali failed to do so.Ali called it a "white man's decision" and insisted that he won.

During a televised joint interview prior to their second bout in 1974, Ali continued to insult Frazier, who took exception to Ali calling him "ignorant" and challenged him to a fight, which resulted in both of them brawling on the studio floor.Ali went on to win the 12-round non-title affair by a decision. Ali took things further in the build-up to their last fight, theThrilla in Manila,and called Frazier "the other type of negro" and "ugly", "dumb", and a "gorilla"At one point he sparred with a man in a gorilla suit and pounded on a rubber gorilla doll, saying "This is Joe Frazier's conscience.... I keep it everywhere I go. This is the way he looks when you hit him."According to the fight's promoter,Don King,that enraged Frazier, who took it as a "character assassination" and "personal invective."One night before the fight, Ali waved around a toy pistol outside Frazier's hotel room. When Frazier came to the balcony, he pointed the gun at Frazier and yelled, "I am going to shoot you."After the fight, Ali summoned Frazier's sonMarvisinto his dressing room, and told him that he had not meant what he had said about his father. When informed by Marvis, Frazier responded, "You ain't me, son. Why isn't he apologizing to me?"

In his 1996 autobiographySmokin' Joe: The Autobiography of a Heavyweight Champion of the World,Frazier consistently refers to Muhammad Ali as "Cassius Clay" and never deviates from that convention unless the book directly quotes someone else.

For years afterwards, Frazier retained his bitterness towards Ali and suggested that Ali's battle withParkinson's syndromewas a form of divine retribution for his earlier behavior. In 2001, Ali apologized to Frazier via aNew York Timesarticle: "In a way, Joe's right. I said a lot of things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn't have said. Called him names I shouldn't have called him. I apologize for that. I'm sorry. It was all meant to promote the fight."Frazier reportedly "embraced it" but later retorted that Ali apologized only to a newspaper, not to him. He said, "I'm still waiting [for him] to say it to me." Ali responded, "If you see Frazier, you tell him he's still a gorilla."Ali also said in an interview, "I wasn't going to get on my knees and crawl and beg him to forgive me."

Frazier toldSports Illustratedin May 2009 that he no longer held hard feelings for Ali.After Frazier's death in November 2011, Ali was among those who attended the private funeral services for Frazier in Philadelphia.Jesse Jackson,who spoke during the service, asked those in attendance to stand and "show your love" and reportedly Ali stood with the audience and clapped "vigorously".

Later life

Frazier's speech when he was awarded theOrder of the PalmettoinBeaufort, South Carolina,in September 2010

New York Daily Newseditor-in-chief Kevin Convey (right) presented Frazier with theNew York Daily NewsFront Page Award in 2011.

Frazier lived and trained at 2917N. Broad StreetinPhiladelphia,where he owned and managedJoe Frazier's Gym.With the help of Peter Bouchard, Frazier formed the Smokin Joe Frazier Foundation, whose purpose was to give back to troubled and in-need youth. Bouchard volunteered to run the foundation for Frazier and attempted to get a bronze statue of Frazier erected in Philadelphia, but the city declined and opted for theRocky statueinstead. Once Frazier's health declined, the foundation was shelved. In mid-2009, Frazier sold the gymnasium on Broad Street.

He was diagnosed withdiabetesandhigh blood pressure.He and his nemesis,Muhammad Ali,alternated over the years between public apologies and public insults.When Ali lit the1996 Summer Olympicsflame inAtlanta,Frazier told a reporter that he would like to throw Ali into the fire and felt that he should have been chosen to light the flame.Frazier made millions of dollars in the 1970s, but the reported mismanagement of his real estate contributed to some financial difficulties.

TheNational Trust for Historic Preservationhas named Joe Frazier's Gym in its 25th list ofAmerica's 11 Most Endangered Historic Placesin 2012.In 2013, the gym was named to theNational Register of Historic Places.

Frazier continued to train young fighters, although he needed multiple operations for back injuries sustained in a car accident. He and Ali reportedly attempted a reconciliation in his final years. But in October 2006, Frazier still claimed to have won all three bouts between them. He declared to aNew York Timesreporter, when questioned about his bitterness toward Ali, "I am what I am."

Frazier attempted to revive his music interests in late 2009. Notably popular for singing "Mustang Sally",Frazier teamed up with Welsh Rock Solo artistJayce Lewisto release his repertoire in the UK, later visiting the Welshman there to host a string of after-dinner speeches and music developments. It would notably be Frazier's last appearance there.

Death

Frazier's headstone and gravesite inIvy Hill CemeteryinPhiladelphia

Frazier was diagnosed withliver cancerin late September 2011. By November 2011, he was underhospicecare inPhiladelphia,where he died on November 7 at the age of 67. Upon hearing of Frazier's death,Muhammad Alisaid, "The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration."

On November 14, Frazier's private funeral was held at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia and was attended byMuhammad Ali,Don King,Larry Holmes,Magic Johnson,Dennis Rodman,his friends and family, and others.Floyd Mayweather Jr.paid for Frazier's funeral services. His body was buried at theIvy Hill Cemeteryin Philadelphia, a short drive from the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.

A statue of Frazier was commissioned from sculptorLawrence Nowlan.Nowlan died unexpectedly, and ultimately a statue sculpted by Philadelphia sculptor Stephen Layne was erected atXfinity Live! Philadelphiain 2015.

In popular media

Statue of Frazier inSouth Philadelphia

• He was played by boxerJames Toneyin the 2001 filmAli.
• Some of the most memorable moments in the 1976 boxing-themed feature filmRocky,such as Rocky's carcass-punching scenes and Rocky running up the steps of thePhiladelphia Museum of Art,as part of his training regimen, are taken from Frazier's real-life exploits. In the film, Frazier makes a cameo appearance, as a spectator at the fight between Rocky and Apollo Creed.
• In March 2007, a Joe Frazier action figure was released as part of a range of toys based on theRockyfilm franchise, developed by the American toy manufacturerJakks Pacific.
• Electric bassist Jeff Berlin wrote a musical tribute simply called "Joe Frazier", originally recorded on the Bill Bruford albumGradually Going Tornado,available on the compilation albumMaster Strokes.
• He guest-starred as himself in the 1992The Simpsonsepisode "Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?",where he presentedHomer Simpsonwith the Montgomery Burns Award for the Outstanding Achievement In The Field Of Excellence.
• Mr. Sandman, a video game character in thePunch-Out!!video gameseries, known for being one of the toughest opponents, was based in part on Frazier.
• In theFight Nightvideo games, Frazier is a character in each game.
• His granddaughter, Latrice Frazier, appeared on an episode ofMaury.
• On July 1, 2021,CBSannounced that his son Derek was one of 16 Houseguests participating inBig Brother 23.Derek ended up being the runner-up for that season, winning $75,000.

Professional boxing record

37 fights	32 wins	4 losses
By knockout	27	3
By decision	5	1
Draws	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round(s), time	Date	Location	Notes
37	Draw	32–4–1	Floyd Cummings	MD	10	Dec 3, 1981	International Amphitheatre,Chicago, Illinois,U.S.
36	Loss	32–4	George Foreman	TKO	5 (12),2:26	Jun 15, 1976	Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum,Hempstead, New York,U.S.	For NABF heavyweight title
35	Loss	32–3	Muhammad Ali	RTD	14 (15),3:00	Oct 1, 1975	Philippine Coliseum,Quezon City,Philippines	For WBA, WBC, andThe Ringheavyweight titles
34	Win	32–2	Jimmy Ellis	TKO	9 (12),0:59	Mar 2, 1975	Junction Oval,Melbourne,Australia
33	Win	31–2	Jerry Quarry	TKO	5 (10),1:37	Jun 17, 1974	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
32	Loss	30–2	Muhammad Ali	UD	12	Jan 28, 1974	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	ForNABF heavyweight title
31	Win	30–1	Joe Bugner	PTS	12	Jul 2, 1973	Earls Court Exhibition Centre,London,England
30	Loss	29–1	George Foreman	TKO	2 (15),2:26	Jan 22, 1973	National Stadium,Kingston,Jamaica	Lost WBA, WBC, andThe Ringheavyweight titles
29	Win	29–0	Ron Stander	RTD	4 (15),3:00	May 25, 1972	Civic Auditorium,Omaha, Nebraska,U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, andThe Ringheavyweight titles
28	Win	28–0	Terry Daniels	TKO	4 (15),1:47	Jan 15, 1972	Rivergate Auditorium,New Orleans, Louisiana,U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, andThe Ringheavyweight titles
27	Win	27–0	Muhammad Ali	UD	15	Mar 8, 1971	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC,The Ringheavyweight titles
26	Win	26–0	Bob Foster	KO	2 (15),0:49	Nov 18, 1970	Cobo Arena,Detroit, Michigan,U.S.	Retained WBA, WBC, andThe Ringheavyweight titles
25	Win	25–0	Jimmy Ellis	RTD	4 (15)	Feb 16, 1970	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Retained NYSAC heavyweight title; WonWBAand vacantWBC heavyweight titles
24	Win	24–0	Jerry Quarry	RTD	7 (15),3:00	Jun 23, 1969	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Retained NYSAC heavyweight title
23	Win	23–0	Dave Zyglewicz	KO	1 (15),1:36	Apr 22, 1969	Sam Houston Coliseum,Houston, Texas,U.S.	Retained NYSAC heavyweight title
22	Win	22–0	Oscar Bonavena	UD	15	Dec 10, 1968	Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Retained NYSAC heavyweight title
21	Win	21–0	Manuel Ramos	TKO	2 (15),3:00	Jun 24, 1968	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Retained NYSAC heavyweight title
20	Win	20–0	Buster Mathis	TKO	11 (15),2:33	Mar 4, 1968	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Won vacantNYSACheavyweight title
19	Win	19–0	Marion Connor	TKO	3 (10),1:40	Dec 18, 1967	Boston Garden,Boston, Massachusetts,U.S.
18	Win	18–0	Tony Doyle	TKO	2 (10),1:04	Oct 17, 1967	Spectrum,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
17	Win	17–0	George Chuvalo	TKO	4 (10),0:16	Jul 19, 1967	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
16	Win	16–0	George Johnson	UD	10	May 4, 1967	Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
15	Win	15–0	Jefferson Davis	TKO	5 (10),0:48	Apr 11, 1967	Auditorium,Miami Beach, Florida,U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Doug Jones	KO	6 (10),2:28	Feb 21, 1967	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	Eddie Machen	TKO	10 (10),0:22	Nov 21, 1966	Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Oscar Bonavena	SD	10	Sep 21, 1966	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Billy Daniels	RTD	6 (10)	Jul 25, 1966	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Al Jones	KO	1 (10),2:33	May 26, 1966	Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Chuck Leslie	KO	3 (10),2:47	May 19, 1966	Grand Olympic Auditorium,Los Angeles, California,U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Don Smith	KO	3 (10),1:09	Apr 28, 1966	Civic Arena,Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Charley Polite	TKO	2 (10),0:55	Apr 4, 1966	Hotel Philadelphia Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Dick Wipperman	TKO	5 (8),2:58	Mar 4, 1966	Madison Square Garden,New York City, New York,U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Mel Turnbow	KO	1 (8),1:41	Jan 17, 1966	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Abe Davis	KO	1 (8),2:38	Nov 11, 1965	Philadelphia Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Ray Staples	TKO	2 (6),2:06	Sep 28, 1965	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Mike Bruce	TKO	3 (6),1:39	Sep 20, 1965	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Woody Goss	TKO	1 (6),1:42	Aug 16, 1965	Convention Hall,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,U.S.

Music career

Frazier and his group during the concert inTilburg,Netherlands, in May 1971

In the late 1970s, Frazier created a soul-funk group called "Joe Frazier and the Knockouts", mentioned in Billboard and recording a number of singles. Joe toured widely in the US and Europe including Ireland, where among other places he performed inDonegalandAthy, County Kildarewith his band. Joe Frazier and the Knockouts were also featured singing in a 1978 Miller beer commercial.

Frazier sang at the 1978Jerry Lewis Telethonand he sang the United States national anthem before the rematch between Ali andLeon Spinkson September 15, 1978.

Discography

Singles

Title	Cat	year	Notes #
"If You Go Stay Gone" / "Truly, Truly Lovin' Me"	Capitol2479	1969
"Knock Out Drop" / "Gonna Spend My Life"	Capitol 2661	1969
"The Bigger They Come (The Harder They Fall)" / "Come And Get Me Love"	Cloverlay 100	1970
"You Got The Love" / "Good News"	Cloverlay 101	1970
"My Way"/" Come And Get Me Love "	Knockout K-711	1971
"Try It Again" / "Knock On Wood"	Jobo Records J-100	1974
"First Round Knock-Out" / "Looky, Looky (Look At Me Girl)"	MotownM 1378F	1975
"Little Dog Heaven" / "What Ya Gonna Do When The Rain Starts Fallin'"	Prodigal P-0623F	1976

See also

• List of undisputed boxing champions
• Notable boxing families

Bibliography

• Frazier, Joe (March 1996).Smokin' Joe: The Autobiography.MacMillan.ISBN002860847X.

Further reading

• Hoffer, Richard (November 21, 2011)."Joe Frazier 1944–2011".Sports Illustrated.Archived fromthe originalon November 20, 2011.RetrievedNovember 30,2011.

Comics

• Combat du siècle (Le)in French, by Loulou Dédola and Luca Ferrara,Éditions Gallimard,Futuropolis, 2021,ISBN978-2-7548-2541-2.

External links

• Official website
• Boxing record for Joe FrazierfromBoxRec(registration required)
• Joe Frazier – CBZ profile
• Boxing Hall of Fame
• ESPN Classic - Frazier battled Ali in timeless trilogy
• ESPN Classic - Smokin' Joe had vicious left hook
• New York TimesObituary
• Joe Frazierat theTeam USA Hall of Fame(archive June 8, 2023)
• Joe FrazieratOlympics.com
• Joe FrazieratOlympedia