While posting these tributes to each and every person and subject as I have here at ImaSportsPhile for the past 5 years, as I think this is post # 5642…..so, I decided to do a boxing post…..cuz I just love boxing….I mean, our boxing library alone here at Imasportsphile consists of some 1100 different videos….with 800+/- being championship fights footage….of which 450 are entire fights. Suffice to say, I really enjoy boxing….therefore I chose one of my favorite heavyweight fighters of all time, Smokin’ Joe Frazier….who was a continually forward moving punching machine that was equally ferocious in the ring…..and came at you like an irritated badger coming out of his hole. Whatever you do in the ring….just don’t get hit with a powerful left hook by the Badger coming out of his hole. Smokin’ Joe Frazier is the champion for all fight fans that came up on “the tougher side of the street”…..who had to scrap and fight for everything that they ever got….and even when they were champions, they didn’t seem to garner the same level of excitement as those champions who had a more advantaged upbringing. Joe Frazier fought from 1965 to 1976…..which was “smack dab in the middle” of the Golden Age of Boxing…..which ran from 1964 to 1996…..when the heavyweight division produced 7 Legends of Boxing…..which included Campions Muhammad Ali, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Big George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis…..for this was the era in which boxing was introduced to the world by television…..which created a popularity in the sport of boxing that rivaled the NFL, FIFA and MLB in popularity. However, the most famous and probably the best of the 7 Heavyweight Boxing Legends of The Golden Age of Boxing were Muhammad Ali and Smokin’ Joe Frazier…..as this opinion was punctuated by their three fights…..The Fight of the Century…..The ReMatch…..and The Thrilla in Manila…..when Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier established themselves as the standard bearers for the Gang of Seven Legends…..which will reign as all time best rivalry in boxing circles for generations to come. For this reason and so much more, I am absolutely delighted to be posting this video story of the life and times of Smokin’ Joe Frazier…..who stands at the top of the heap of the all time greatest heavyweight boxers of all time with the likes of Ali, Marciano, Holmes, Foreman and Tyson. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed posting it.
Boxing – Documentary – 2012 – ESPN SportsCentury Special – “Joe Frazier Documentary Part 1 of 6”
Boxing – Documentary – 2012 – ESPN SportsCentury Special – “Joe Frazier Documentary Part 2 of 6”
Boxing – Documentary – 2012 – ESPN SportsCentury Special – “Joe Frazier Documentary Part 3 of 6”
Joseph William Frazier (January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011), nicknamed “Smokin’ Joe“, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1965 to 1981…..and is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of his generation…..while being known for his strength, durability, formidable left hand and relentless pressure fighting style…..who was the 1st boxer to defeat Muhammad Ali. Joe Frazier reigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1970 to 1973…..and as an amateur won a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Boxing – Documentary – 2012 – ESPN SportsCentury Special – “Joe Frazier Documentary Part 4 of 6”
Boxing – Documentary – 2012 – ESPN SportsCentury Special – “Joe Frazier Documentary Part 5 of 6”
Boxing – Documentary – 2012 – ESPN SportsCentury Special – “Joe Frazier Documentary Part 6 of 6”
Frazier emerged as the top heavyweight contender in the late 1960’s….. while defeating opponents that included Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, George Chuvalo and Jimmy Ellis in route to becoming undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970…..plus, he followed up by defeating Ali by unanimous decision in the highly anticipated Fight of the Century in 1971…..then two years later, Frazier lost his title to George Foreman…..but Smokin’ Joe fought on and beat Joe Bugner, lost a rematch to Ali and beat Quarry and Ellis again.
Boxing – Documentary – 2011 – Heavyweight Boxing Vault Special – “Joe Frazier: Beyond The Glory”
Frazier’s last world title challenge came in 1975…..but he was beaten by Ali in the brutal rubber match known as The Thrilla in Manila. Frazier retired in 1976 after a 2nd loss to Foreman…..but made a comeback in 1981. He fought just once before retiring for good….. while finishing his career 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 Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1967, 1970 and 1971, and the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1969 1971, and 1975. In 1999, The Ring ranked him the 8th greatest heavyweight in history. He is an inductee of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame…..while having been a part of the inaugural induction class of 1990 for the IBHF.
Boxing – Documentary – 2022 – A Rhythm Boxing Highlights Special – “Left Hook Legend: The Rise of Smokin’ Joe Frazier”
His style was often compared with that of Henry Armstrong and occasionally Rocky Marciano…..as he was dependent on bobbing, weaving and relentless pressure to wear down his opponents. His best-known punch was a powerful left hook…..which accounted for most of his knockouts. In his career, he lost to only two fighters, both former Olympic and World Heavyweight Champions…..with twice to Muhammad Ali and twice to George Foreman.
Boxing – 2022 – A V Top 10 Highlights Special – “Joe Frazier’s Top 10 Greatest Knockouts”
After retiring, Frazier made cameo appearances in several Hollywood movies and two episodes of The Simpsons. His son Marvis became a boxer and was trained by Joe Frazier himself…..who lost a title shot to heavyweight champion Larry Holmes in 1983…..and then was knocked out in the 1st round by an up-and-coming Mike Tyson in 1986. Marvis ended his career with a record of 19 wins and those 2 losses. Frazier’s daughter Jacqui Frazier-Lyde also boxed professionally…..and is a former WIBA world light-heavyweight champion…..who ended her career with a record of 13 wins and 1 loss…..with her sole loss coming in a majority-decision-points loss to Laila Ali, Ali’s daughter, in a fight dubbed as “Ali–Frazier IV”.
Boxing – 1971 To 1976 – A JD Channel Highlights Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier Vs Muhammad Ali: 8 Minutes of Motivation”
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.
Boxing – Documentary – 2023 – A Joseph Vincent Bored Film Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier: Impossibly Powerful Left Hook – As The Man Who Beat ALI First”
Joe Frazier was born January 12, 1944, the 12th child of Dolly Alston-Frazier and Rubin in Beaufort, South Carolina…..where he was raised in a rural community of Beaufort called Laurel Bay. 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 as sharecroppers “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”.
Boxing -2019 – A Boxing Highlights C4TV Special – “Joe Frazier Training Motivation – Smokin’ Joe”
Rubin Frazier had his left hand burned 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 while Arthur Smith, who was drunk, passed by and 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.”
Boxing – 1965 To 1981 – A Martin Gastanaga Highlights Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier – ‘The Heart’ Was Known for His Sheer Strength, Durability, Formidable Punching Power and Relentless Pressure Fighting”
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.
Boxing – 1962 To 1981 – A Watch Mojo Mini-Documentary Highlights Special – “Joe Frazier Biography: The Life and Career of Smokin’ Joe”
In the early 1950’s, Frazier’s father bought a black-and-white television…..wherein the family and others nearby came to watch boxing matches on it…..as Frazier’s mother sold drinks for a quarter while they watched boxers like Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Willie Pep and Rocky Graziano…..when one night, Frazier’s Uncle Israel noticed his stocky build saying “That boy there… that boy is gonna be another Joe Louis”, he remarked…..as 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 old burlap sack with rags, corncobs, a brick, and Spanish moss…..which he hung this makeshift heavy-bag from an oak tree in the backyard. “For the next 6, 7 years, damn near every day I’d hit that heavy-bag 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.
Boxing – 1961 To 1981 – A haNZAgod Highlight Special – “Joe Frazier: Routes To The Body in a Sweet Science”
Not long after Frazier started working, his left arm was seriously injured while he was running from the family’s 300-pound hog….. when one day, he poked the hog with a stick and ran away…..while not knowing that the gate to the pigpen was open…..and the hog chased him…..when Frazier fell and hit his left arm on a brick. His arm was torn badly…..but the family could not afford a doctor…..so the arm had to heal on its own…..and he was never able to keep it fully straight again.
Boxing – Documentary – 1944 T0 2011 – A The History of Boxing EN Highlight Special – “Joe Frazier: The Blind Boxer With A Crushing Punch Throwing Bombs”
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….. to which 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….. to which Joe told Bellamy he did not know what he was talking about…..but Jim did not believe Frazier…..and he told him to get off the farm before he took off his belt again…..however, 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 Frazier knew from that moment it was time for him to leave Beaufort…..as he could see only hard times and low rent for himself. Even his mother could see it…..and 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.”
Boxing – Documentary – 1965 To 1981 – A Rainy Day Boxing Highlights Special – “Joe Frazier: The Man Who Silenced Muhammad Ali”
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. Luckily, by 1958, the Greyhound Lines bus, called “The Dog” by locals in Beaufort, had finally 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…..when 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.. and so he first went to work at the local Coca-Cola plant. Joe remarked that the white guy would drive the truck…..and that he would do the real work stacking and unloading the crates. Joe stayed with Coca-Cola until the government began building houses for the Marines stationed at Parris Island…..when he was hired on a work crew. Nine months eventually passed since he got the boot from the Bellamy farm. One day, with no fanfare and no tearful goodbyes, Frazier packed quickly and got the 1st bus heading northward…..when he finally settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, saying “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.”
Boxing – Documentary – 1964 To 1981 – A Pastor Gayle Online Sermons Highlights Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier: The Real Rocky of Philadelphia”
During Frazier’s amateur career, he won the Golden Gloves heavyweight championships in 1962, 1963 and 1964…..when his only loss in three years as an amateur was to Buster Mathis…..who would prove to be Joe’s biggest obstacle to making the 1964 US Olympic boxing team…..as they met in the final of the US 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 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….. when in the 2nd 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 to Philadelphia and 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 to Tokyo as 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…..when 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.”
Boxing – Amateur – 1964 – U S Olympic Boxing Trials Heavyweight Title Fight – Buster Mathis Vs. Joe Frazier (Entire Fight)
In 1964, heavyweight representative Buster Mathis qualified but was injured…..so, Joe Frazier was sent as a replacement…..when at the heavyweight boxing event, Frazier knocked out George Oywello of Uganda in the round of 16…..then knocked out Athol McQueen of Australia 40 seconds into their quarter-finals match. He was the only American boxer left at the semi-final stage, facing the 6’2″, 214-lb Vadim Yemelyanov of 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.” 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 and Epsom salts. “Pain or not, Joe Frazier of Beaufort, South Carolina, was going for gold,” he proclaimed…..as he went on to fight German Hans Huber…..who was eight years his senior…..while 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. The match ended when the Soviet’s handlers threw in the towel at 1:49 in the 2nd round…..and the referee raised Frazier’s injured hand in victory.
Boxing – 1964 – The Tokyo Summer Olympics Men’s Heavyweight Boxing Finals (Entire Fight) – USA Joe Frazier Vs GER Hans Huber
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…..which included a young Larry 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.
Boxing – Interview – 1989 – British BBC Special – Smokin’ Joe Frazier + Muhammad Ali + Big George Foreman On British TV Show – Very Funny
Frazier turned professional in 1965 by defeating Woody Goss by a technical knockout in the 1st round. He won three more fights that year, all by knockout…..as none had gone past the 3rd 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 2nd time…..and the state athletic commission physicians seemed not to notice or act.
Boxing – 1966 – An Iron Bar Boxing Highlights Special – 10 Round Heavyweight Bout – Dick Wipperman Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Round by Round
Frazier’s 2nd contest was of interest in that he was decked in the round by Mike Bruce…..when Frazier took an “8” count by referee Bob Polis…..but rallied for a TKO over Bruce in the 3rd round.
Boxing – 1967 – 10 Round Heavyweight Bout Highlights – George Chuvalo Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier
In 1966, as Frazier’s career was taking off, Durham contacted Los Angeles trainer Eddie 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 contender Eddie Machen and George “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, noted Ring Magazine, and he somehow achieved it. However Johnson was known in the trade as “impossibly durable”.
Boxing – 1966 – A Smooth Legends Highlights Special – 10 Round Heavyweight Bout – Joe Frazier Vs Memphis Al Jones – Tremendous Body Punch KO
Boxing – 1966 – A Boxing Legends Highlights Special – 10 Round Heavyweight Bout – Joe Frazier Vs Eddie Machen – Featuring Smokin’ Joe’s Left Hook KO of Machen Knocking Him Through The Ropes
Boxing – 1967 – A Boxing Legends Highlights Special – 15 Rnd Heavyweight Championship of the World – George Chuvalo Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – As Frazier Took A Piece of Georgie Boy
After the Johnson match, Futch became a full-fledged member of the Frazier camp as an assistant trainer and strategist…..who advised Yank Durham on matchmaking…..for it was Futch who suggested that Frazier boycott the 1967 WBA Heavyweight Elimination 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…..albeit Frazier was the top-ranked contender at the time.
Boxing – 2015 – A Wylie’s Art and Science of Boxing Highlights Special – “Eddie Futch: Deposing the Greatest – Featuring Joe Frasier Vs Muhammad Ali Fight 1 & Ken Norton Vs Muhammad Ali”
Futch proved invaluable to Frazier as an assistant trainer and helped modify his style…..when under Futch’s tutelage, Frazier adopted the bob-and-weave defensive style by making him more difficult for taller opponents to punch…..plus, giving Frazier more power with his own punches. Futch remained based in Los Angeles, where he worked as a supervisor with the US Postal Service…..and flew to Philadelphia to work with Frazier during the final preparations for all of his fights.
Boxing – 2018 – The Modern Martial Artist Highlight Special – “Smokin Joe Frazier’s Terrifying Hook & Head Movement Explained With Technique Breakdown”
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 contender Ken 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.
Boxing – 2018 – The Modern Martial Artist Highlight Special – “Joe Frazier’s Smokin Hook – Demo & Drills”
Now in his second year, in September 1966 and somewhat green, Frazier won a close decision over rugged contender Oscar Bonavena, despite Bonavena flooring him twice in the 2nd round. A 3rd knockdown in that round would have ended the fight under the three knockdown rule…..but Frazier rallied and won a close split decision after 10 rounds…..then the Machen win followed that contest.
Boxing – 1966 – Live at Madison Square Garden, NYC – 10 Round Heavyweight Bout – Oscar Bonavena Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Round by Round Highlights
Boxing – 1966 – 10 Round Heavyweight Bout Highlights – Eddie Machen Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier
In 1967, Frazier stormed ahead winning all six of his fights, including a 6th-round knockout of Doug Jones and a brutal 4th round (TKO) of Canadian George Chuvalo…..when 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.
Boxing – 1966 – 10 Round Heavyweight Bout Highlights – George Chuvalo Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier
Boxing – 2010 – A TruFan Boxing With J. Monte Interview Special – With George Chuvalo + Smokin’ Joe Frazier Reminiscing on the Glory Days and Their Fight at MSG in 1966
By February 1967, Joe had scored 14 wins…..and his star was beginning to rise…..when this culminated with his 1st appearance on the cover of Ring 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 the military draft during the Vietnam War. To fill the vacancy, the New York State Athletic Commission held a bout between Frazier and Buster Mathis…..who were undefeated going into the match…..with the winner to be recognized as “World Champion” by New York State…..albeit the fight was not recognized as a World Championship bout by some, regardless, Frazier won by a knockout in the 11th round…..and staked a claim to the Heavyweight Championship of the World.
Boxing – 1968 – 12 Rnd World Heavyweight Title Fight – Buster Mathis Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – (Entire Fight)
Frazier 1st defended his claim by beating hard-hitting prospect Manuel Ramos of Mexico…..when his victory came in only two rounds. He closed 1968 by again beating Oscar Bonavena via 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 Magazine showed Bonavena afterwards with a gruesomely bruised face. It had been a punishing match.
Boxing – 1968 – NYSAC Heavyweight Championship – Oscar Bonavena Vs. Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight 1 – Rounds 1 Thru 3
Boxing – 1968 – NYSAC Heavyweight Championship – Oscar Bonavena Vs. Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight 1 – Rounds 4 Thru 7
Boxing – 1968 – NYSAC Heavyweight Championship – Oscar Bonavena Vs. Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight 1 – Rounds 8 Thru 10
Boxing – 1968 – A Boxing Legends Highlights Special – NYSAC Heavyweight Championship – Oscar Bonavena Vs. Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight 1
In 1969, Frazier defended his NYSAC title in Texas and beat Dave Zyglewicz …..who had lost only once in 29 fights, by a 1st-round knockout…..then, he beat Jerry Quarry in a 7th-round stoppage…..as this competitive, exciting match with Quarry was named Ring Magazine fight of the year in 1969….. when 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.
Boxing – Interview – 1969 – A Smooth Legends Highlights Special – “Rocky Marciano: Talks About The ‘Heavyweight Elimination Tournament’ for Ali’s Vacated Title + Smokin’ Joe Frazier As A Wrecking Ball Like Him”‘
Boxing – 1969 – NYSAC World Heavyweight Title Fight Highlights – Dave Zyglewicz Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – As Frazier Retains Title With 1st Round KO
Boxing – 1969 – NYSAC World Heavyweight Title Fight (Entire Fight) – Jerry Quarry Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight of the Year in 1969
On February 16, 1970, Frazier faced WBA Champion Jimmy Ellis at Madison Square Garden…..who had outpointed Jerry Quarry in the final bout of the WBA elimination tournament for Ali’s vacated belt …..which Frazier had declined to participate in the WBA tournament to protest their decision to strip Ali…..as Ellis held impressive wins over Oscar Bonavena and Leotis Martin, among others. Beforehand, Ali had announced his retirement and relinquished the Heavyweight title…..thus allowing Ellis and Frazier to fight for the undisputed title …..albeit both lacked any lineal claim. Frazier won by a technical knockout when Ellis’s trainer Angelo Dundee would not let him come out for the 5th round following two 4th-round knockdowns…..which was the 1st knockdowns of Ellis’s career. Frazier’s decisive win over Ellis was a frightening display of power and tenacity.
Boxing – 1970 – ESPN Classics Presents – NYSAC, WBA & Vacant WBC World Unification Heavyweight Title Fight – WBA Champ Jimmy Ellis Vs NYSAC Champ Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Entire Fight + Interviews
Boxing – 1970 – ESPN Classics Presents – NYSAC, WBA & Vacant WBC World Unification Heavyweight Title Fight Highlights – WBA Champ Jimmy Ellis Vs NYSAC Champ Smokin’ Joe Frazier
Boxing – 1970 – NYSAC, WBA & Vacant WBC World Unification Heavyweight Title Fight Highlights – WBA Champ Jimmy Ellis Vs NYSAC Champ Smokin’ Joe Frazier – With Howard Cosell Behind the Mic – Part 1
Boxing – 1970 – NYSAC, WBA & Vacant WBC World Unification Heavyweight Title Fight Highlights – WBA Champ Jimmy Ellis Vs NYSAC Champ Smokin’ Joe Frazier – With Howard Cosell Behind the Mic – Part 2
In his 1st title defense, Frazier traveled to Detroit to fight World Light Heavyweight Champion Bob Foster…..who would go on to set a record for the number of title defenses in the light-heavyweight division…..as Frazier (26–0) retained his title by twice flooring the hard-punching Foster in the 2nd round…..when the 2nd 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” …..which was his 1st fight with Muhammad Ali…..who had launched a comeback in 1970 after a three-year suspension from boxing. It would be the 1st meeting of two undefeated heavyweight champions …..and the last until Mike Tyson faced Michael Spinks in 1988…..since Ali (31–0) had not lost his title in the ring…..but rather had 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.
Boxing – 1970 – Boxing Legends Presents – 15 Round WBA / WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight Highlights – World Lt Heavyweight Champ Bob Foster Vs World Heavywt Champ Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight 1
Boxing – 1971 – Madison Square Garden Live – Fight of the Century – 15 Round WBA / WBC Heavyweight Title Fight Highlights – Muhammad Ali Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight 1
On March 8, 1971, at Madison Square Garden, Frazier and Ali met in the 1st 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 along with Burt Lancaster….. who served as “color commentator” with the fight announcer, Don Dunphy…..as both undefeated heavyweights met in a media-frenzied atmosphere reminiscent of Joe Louis’s youth. Several factors came together for Frazier in the fight…..when he was 27 and mentally and physically at his peak…..while Ali was 29 and coming back from a three-year absence…..albeit he had had two good wins in his comeback…..which included a bruising fifteen-round TKO win over Oscar Bonavena.
Boxing – 1971 – Live at Madison Square Garden – The Fight of the Century – 15 Round WBA / WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight (Full Fight) – WBA Champ Muhammad Ali Vs WBC Champ Smokin’ Jose Frazier – Fight 1
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…..so, 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 1st two rounds but was able to withstand Ali’s combinations…..as Frazier was known to improve in middle rounds…..which was the case in this fight with Ali …..when Frazier came on strong after the 3rd round by landing hard shots to the body and powerful left hooks to the head…..when Frazier won a 15-round unanimous decision 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…..while Frazier also spent time in hospital during the ensuing month…..with the exertions of the fight having been exacerbated by hypertension and a kidney infection.
Boxing – 1971 – Live at Madison Square Garden – The Fight of the Century – 15th and Final Round WBA / WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight – WBA Champ Muhammad Ali Vs WBC Champ Smokin’ Jose Frazier – Fight 1
Later that year, he fought a three-round exhibition against hard-hitting veteran contender Cleveland Williams. In 1972, Frazier successfully defended the title twice by knocking out Terry Daniels and Ron Stander in the 4th and 5th rounds, respectively……while Daniels had earlier fought to a draw with Jerry Quarry and Stander had knocked out Earnie Shavers.
Boxing – 1972 – Boxing Legends Presents – 15 Round WBA / WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight – Terry Daniels Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier- With “Daniels In The Lions Den”
Boxing – 1972 – Sports Boxing Archive Presents – 15 Round WBA / WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight (Full Fight) – Ron Stander Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier
Frazier lost his undefeated record of 29–0 and his world championship, at the hands of the unbeaten George Foreman on January 22, 1973, in Kingston, 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…..when over the course of two rounds, Foreman managed to knock Frazier down six times en route to a technical knockout victory.
Boxing – 1973 – Live from National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica – 15 Round WBA / WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight – Big George Foreman Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier (Entire Fight)
Boxing – 1973 – Boxing Legends Presents “The Sunshine Showdown” – Live from National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica – 15 Round WBA / WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight – Big George Foreman Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier (Entire Fight)
Frazier won his next fight, a 12-round decision over Joe Bugner, in London to begin his quest to regain the title.
Boxing – 1973 – Live from Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London – 12 Round Heavyweight Bout – Joe Bugner Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Entire Fight
Boxing – 1973 – Live from Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London – 12 Round Heavyweight Bout – Joe Bugner Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Entire Fight Continuous Highlights With Continuous Action for 12 Rounds of Boxing
Frazier’s 2nd 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…..as the fight was notable for the amount of clinching. After the fight referee 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…..albeit Ali was holding Frazier…..but he was not hitting.
Boxing – 1974 – Top Rank Boxing Presents – Live from Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City – 12 Round Heavyweight Bout – Muhammad Ali Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight 2 – Entire Fight
Boxing – 1974 – The Modern Martial Artist Highlights Special – “The Epic Rematch Explained – Ali vs Frazier 2 Breakdown”
Boxing – 1974 – ElTerribleProduction Highlights Special – “Muhammad Ali Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier II: Legendary Night”
Five months later, Frazier again battled Jerry Quarry in Madison Square Garden by winning the fight in the 5th round with a strong left hook to the ribs.
Boxing – 1974 – Live from Madison Square Garden, NYC – 12 Round Heavyweight Bout – Jerry Quarry Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight 2 – Entire Fight – With Interview of Evil Knievel
Boxing – 1974 – An ElTerribleProduction Highlights Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier Vs Jerry Quarry II: Knockout and Sportsmanship”
In March 1975, Frazier fought a rematch with Jimmy Ellis in Melbourne, Australia…..and knocked him out in nine rounds. The win again established Frazier as the top heavyweight challenger for the title…..which Ali had taken the heavyweight title from Big George Foreman in the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” five months earlier.
Boxing – 1975 – Live from Melbourne, Australia – 12 Round Heavyweight Bout – Jimmy Ellis Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Fight 2 – Entire Fight
Boxing – 2018 – The Modern Martial Artist Highlights Special – “The Epic ReMatch Explained: Ali Vs Frazier II Breakdown”
Ali and Frazier met for the 3rd and final time in Quezon City…..which was a district of Manila in the Philippines…..on October 1, 1975…..when 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…..which proved to be fortuitous…..as across the ring, Futch stopped the fight out of concern for his fighter….. when 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.”
Boxing – Documentary – 1975 – HBO Boxing Presents – “The Thrilla in Manila Documentary: Muhammad Ali Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier III”
Boxing – 1975 – Live from Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City – 15 Round WBA / WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight – Smokin’ Joe Frazier Vs. Muhammad Ali III – “The Thrilla in Manila”
Boxing – 1975 – ElTerribleProducions Highlights Special – “The Thrilla in Manila: The Last Round of the Fight” – Live from Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City – 15 Round WBA / WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight – Smokin’ Joe Frazier Vs. Muhammad Ali III – “The Most Brutal Round in Boxing History”
Boxing – 2019 – A The Fight With Teddy Atlas Highlights Special – “Teddy Atlas Shares His Thoughts on Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier III – The Thrilla in Manila Fight”
In 1977, Ali told the interviewer Reg Gutteridge that he felt this 3rd Frazier fight was his best performance…..when Gutteridge suggested his win over Cleveland Williams, and Ali said, “No, Frazier’s much tougher and rougher than Cleveland Williams.”
Boxing & Talk Shows – 1974 – The Dick Cavett Show – Featuring Muhammad Ali & Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Talking About Their Upcoming Fight
In 1976, Frazier (32–3) fought George Foreman for a 2nd time…..while shaving his head for the fight…..as Frazier was more restrained than usual and avoided walking into big shots like he had done in their 1st match….. however, Foreman lobbed a tremendous left hook that lifted Frazier off his feet…..then after a 2nd knockdown, the fight was stopped in the 5th round…..when shortly after the fight, Frazier announced his retirement.
Boxing – 1976 – Live from Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale – North American Boxing Federation Heavyweight Title – Smokin’ Joe Frazier Vs. George Foreman – Fight II – Entire Fight With Howard Cosell at the Mic
Boxing & Talk Shows – 1989 – Live on the BBC Wogan Show With Actress Joanna Lumley – Featuring George Foreman + Joe Frazier + Muhammad Ali Being Interviewed – Funny and Interesting
Frazier made a cameo appearance in the movie Rocky later in 1976….. and dedicated himself to training local boxers in Philadelphia….. where he grew up…..which included some of his own children…..as he also helped train Duane Bobick. In 1981, Frazier attempted a comeback. He drew over 10 rounds with hulking Floyd “Jumbo” Cummings in Chicago, Illinois. It was a bruising battle with mixed reviews. He then retired for good.
Boxing & Movies – 1976 – Clip from the Movie “Rocky” – Joe Frazier Being Introduced Pryor to Rocky Balboa Vs Apollo Creed Heavyweight Title Fight
Boxing – 1981 – Live from the International Amphitheatre, Chicago – 12 Round Heavyweight Bout – Floyd Cummings Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – Full Fight
Boxing – 1981 – Left Hook Presents – Live from the International Amphitheatre, Chicago – 12 Round Heavyweight Bout Highlights – Floyd Cummings Vs Smokin’ Joe Frazier – In Smokin’ Joe’s Last Fight
Then, Frazier involved himself in various endeavors. Among his sons who turned to boxing as a career, Frazier helped train Marvis Frazier, a challenger for Larry Holmes’s world heavyweight title. He also trained his daughter, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, who became a WIBA world light-heavyweight champion …..whose most notable fight was a close majority decision points loss against Laila Ali, the daughter of his rival.
Boxing – 2001 – Live from the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY – 10 Round Females Super Middleweight Bout – Laila Ali Vs. Jacqui Frazier-Lyde – As the Frazier Vs. Ali IV Rivalry Continues
Frazier’s overall career record was 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw…..with 27 wins by knockout…..as he won 73% of his fights by knockout…..which was compared to 60% for Ali and 84% for Foreman. He was then inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 1990…..as well as the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame in 1996.
Boxing – 1965 To 1976 – A TheBringer2009 Highlights Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s Career Highlights”
Boxing – 1965 To 1976 – A V Top 10 Highlights Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier: 10 Brutal Knockouts”
In 1984, Frazier was the special referee for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship match between Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes at Starrcade ’84…..when he awarded the match to Flair because of Rhodes’s excessive bleeding. In 1986, Frazier appeared as the “cornerman” for Mr. T against Roddy Piper at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum as part of WrestleMania 2. In 1989, Frazier joined Ali, Foreman, Norton, and Holmes for the tribute special Champions Forever.
Pro Wrestling & Boxing – 1985 – Starrcade 1985 – NWA World Championship – Dusty Rhodes Vs. Ric Flair – With Heavyweight Boxing Champ Smokin’ Joe Frazier as Referee of the Match
Boxing – Documentary – 1989 – A Cinevision Global Special – “Champions Forever: Muhammad Ali + Smokin’ Joe Frazier + Big George Foreman + Larry Holmes + Ken Norton” – As These Boxing Legends Reveal Their Stories, Including Hidden Anguish and Secret Passions That Drove Them to Greatness, While Talking About Themselves and Each Other With Surprising Candor as They Discuss Their Highs and Lows Both In and Out of the Ring
Frazier appeared as himself in an episode of The Simpsons – “Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?” in 1992…..in which he was supposed to have been beaten up by Barney Gumble in Moe’s Tavern…..but Frazier’s son objected….. so, Frazier was instead shown beating up Gumble and putting him in a trash can. Frazier appeared in another episode of The Simpsons – “Homer’s Paternity Coot” in 2006…..when he appeared on-screen in the 8th series of The Celebrity Apprentice (USA) television show as a guest-attendee at a Silent Auction event held for the season finale (won by Joan Rivers). Frazier appeared as himself in the Academy Award-winning 1976 movie, Rocky. Since the debut of the Fight Night series of games made by EA Sports, Frazier appeared in Fight Night 2004, Fight Night Round 2, Fight Night Round 3, Fight Night Round 4 and Fight Night Champion.
Boxing & Talk Shows – 2018 – A BoxingVids HD Rare Special – ESPN Bryant Gumbel Interview Muhammad Ali + Joe Frazier + Ken Norton + Larry Holmes – On Release of “Champions Forever” film et al
Frazier released his autobiography in March 1996, entitled Smokin’ Joe: The Autobiography of a Heavyweight Champion of the World, Smokin’ Joe Frazier…..when Smokin’ Joe promoted the book with a memorable appearance on The Howard Stern Show on January 23, 1996.
Boxing & Talk Shows – 2009 – The Howard Stern Show – Featuring Joe Frazier and son, Marvis Join Howard To Promote HBO’S “Thrilla in Manilla” documentary……as Howard Turns the Subject to Joe’s Lack of Respect From the Boxing Community….While Ali is worshipped…..Then Changes Subject to Joe’s Sexual Prowess….While Marvis Tries Unsuccessfully to Change the Subject. Very Funny
He also wrote Box 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 defense and offense, 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.”
Boxing – 1965 To 1876 – A The Modern Martial Artist Highlights Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier: Terrifying Hook & Head Movement Explained – Technique Breakdown”
According to an article from The New York Times, “over the years, Frazier has lost a fortune through a combination of his own generosity and naïveté, his carousing and failed business opportunities. The other headliners from his fighting days—Ali, George Foreman, and Larry Holmes—are millionaires.” Asked about his situation, Frazier became playfully defensive…..but would not reveal his financial status saying…..“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.”…..when Frazier blamed himself, partly, for not effectively promoting his own image. In a 2006 HBO documentary on the fight in Manila, Frazier was interviewed living in a one-room apartment on the 2nd floor of his gym.
Boxing – 1944 To 1981 – A Boxing Life Highlights Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier: Boxing Style and Best Left Hook Ever”
His daughter Jacqui Frazier-Lyde is 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 in Bucks 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…..and the land is now worth an estimated $100 million.
Boxing – Mini-Documentary – 2022 – An Amolipi Photo Album Special – “Joe Frazier’s Life, Career and Lifestyle ★ Secret Things You Don’t Even Know”
Initially, Frazier and Ali were friends…..when during Ali’s enforced three-year lay-off from boxing for refusing to be drafted into the US Army, Frazier lent him money, testified before Congress and petitioned US President Richard Nixon to have Ali’s right to box reinstated. Frazier supported Ali’s right not to serve in the army…..while saying, “If Baptists weren’t allowed to fight, I wouldn’t fight either.”
Boxing & Talk Shows – 2010 – The BBC Network Presents – “The Last Interview With Joe Frazier”
However, in the build-up to their 1st fight, the Fight 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…..as 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 a hero to oppressed black people. Bryant Gumbel joined 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”…..albeit Ali had also compared other opponents to animals. He noted the hypocrisy of Ali calling him an Uncle Tom when…..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?”
Boxing & Interviews – 1971 – ABC Wide World of Sports With Howard Cosell Interview of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier – When The Two Champions Got Into a Fight in the ABC Studio Pryor To Their 1st Fight
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 2nd 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.
Boxing & Interviews – 2010 – The Nacirema Presents – Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s Last Interview – With Shocking Secrets Revealed About Muhammed Ali et al
Ali took things further in the build-up to their last fight, the Thrilla in Manila…..and called Frazier “the other type of negro” and “ugly”, “dumb”, and a “gorilla”…..when 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…..and 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 son Marvis into 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?”
Boxing – Mini-Documentary – 1974 – ABC Wide World of Sports Special – Howard Cosell Sits Down with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to Review Their First Fight From 1971 – As Tension Builds and Eventually Erupts Into an Ali Vs Frazier Studio Brawl
In his 1996 autobiography Smokin’ 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 with Parkinson’s syndrome was a form of divine retribution for his earlier behavior. In 2001, Ali apologized to Frazier via a New York Times article saying, “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.”
Boxing & Talk Shows – 1973 – The Dick Cavett Show – Featuring Smokin’ Joe Frazier + Jack Benny + Bill Cosby
Frazier told Sports Illustrated in 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”.
Boxing & News – 2011 – BBC Breakfast Special Report – “Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier Dies Today”
Boxing & News – 2011 – CBS News Special Report by Theresa Duncan – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s Private Funeral” – Featuring Muhammad Ali Escorted by Leland Hardy With Jesse Jackson, Former Heavyweight Champs Larry Holmes + Michael Spinks + Leon Spinks Being Interviewed
Boxing & Film- 2011 – A No Comment Film Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s Funeral”
Frazier lived in Philadelphia, where he owned and managed a boxing gym. Frazier put the gym up for sale in mid-2009…..but before the gym was put up for sale, Frazier, with the help of Peter Bouchard, formed the Smokin Joe Frazier Foundation…..whose purpose was to give back to troubled and in-need youth…..when Peter Bouchard volunteered to run the foundation for Frazier…..and tried to get a bronze statue erected in Philadelphia…..but the city declined…..and opted for the Rocky statue instead. Once Frazier’s health declined, the foundation was shelved…..when he was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. He and his nemesis, Muhammad Ali, alternated over the years between public apologies and public insults. In 1996, when Ali lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta, 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 1970’s, but the reported mismanagement of his real estate contributed to some financial difficulties.
Boxing – 2011 – A BorgesProduction Highlights Special – “R.I.P Joe Frazier: No easy way out”
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Joe Frazier’s Gym in its 25th list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2012. In 2013, the gym was named to the National 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…..when he declared to a Times reporter that questioned him about his bitterness toward Ali, “I am what I am.”
Boxing & Pro Wrestling – 1986 – Special – “Rowdy” Roddy Piper Visits Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s Boxing Gym Ahead of the Boxing Match with Mr. T at WrestleMania II
Boxing & Talk Shows – 1974 – The Dick Cavett Show Special – “Looking Into Joe Frazier’s Gym with Michael Parkinson”
Frazier attempted to revive his music interests in late 2009/2010. Notably popular for singing “Mustang Sally”, Frazier teamed up with Welsh Rock Solo artist Jayce Lewis to 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.
Music & Boxing – 1970 – Live on the Ed Sullivan Show – Smokin’ Joe Frazier and The Knockouts – “Knock On Wood”
Music & Boxing – 1975 – A Sonnyaveronajr Highlights Special – “A Tribute To Joe Frazier” – With Joe Frazier Singing “1st Round Knockout”
Music & Boxing – 1978 – A HY-LIT SHOW Highlights Special – “A Tribute To Joe Frazier” – With Joe Frazier Singing “Knockout Drop”
Music & Boxing – 1978 – Sung Live the Muhammad Ali Vs Leon Spinks World Heavyweight Title Fight – Former Heavyweight Champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier – “The Star Spangled Banner”
Music & Boxing – 1978 – Sung Live on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon – Former Heavyweight Champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier – “I’ll Paint Your Picture With A Song”
Music & Boxing – 1980 – Joe Frazier – “If You Go, Stay Gone”
Frazier was diagnosed with liver cancer in late September 2011. By November 2011, he was under hospice care…..where he died on November 7 at the age of 67. Upon hearing of Frazier’s death, Muhammad Ali said, “The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration.” Frazier’s private funeral took place on November 14 at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia…..and in addition to friends and family was attended by Muhammad Ali, Don King, Larry Holmes, Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman, among others. Floyd Mayweather Jr. paid for Frazier’s funeral services…..when his body was buried at the Ivy Hill Cemetery, a short drive from the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Boxing – 2011 – Special – “HBO Boxing Analyst Larry Merchant’s Tribute To Smokin’ Joe Frazier”
He was played by boxer James Toney in the 2001 film Ali. Some of the most memorable moments in the 1976 boxing-themed feature film Rocky…..such as Rocky’s carcass-punching scenes…..and Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia 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.
Boxing – 1962 To 1981 – Joe Frazier Boxing Vault Highlights Special – “Joe Frazier – The Streets of Philadelphia”
In March 2007, a Joe Frazier action figure was released as part of a range of toys based on the Rocky film franchise…..which was developed by the American toy manufacturer Jakks Pacific. Electric bassist Jeff Berlin wrote a musical tribute simply called “Joe Frazier”, originally recorded on the Bill Bruford album Gradually Going Tornado, available on the compilation album Master Strokes. He guest-starred as himself in the 1992 The Simpsons episode “Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?”, where he presented Homer Simpson with the Montgomery Burns Award for the Outstanding Achievement In The Field Of Excellence. Mr. Sandman was a video game character in the Punch-Out!! video game series, known for being one of the toughest opponents…..and was based in part on Frazier. In the Fight Night video games, Frazier is a character in each game.
Boxing – 1964 To 1981 – A Genero Edits Highlights Tribute Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier Tribute: The Final Farewell”
While bringing this video history story about Smokin’ Joe Frazier to a conclusion…..I find myself feeling the weight that times brings to the shoulders of those fans of the Golden Age of Boxing from 1960 to 1990….who, like myself was a huge fan of boxing…..cuz this was a vary rare time when every weight class had multiple legendary boxers who all fought each other three or four times….and as I finish this Smokin’ Joe Frazier video collection with the following highlights video of the Champ sitting in his gym…..reminiscing about how great the years were that Smokin’ Joe fought…..put to the Johnny Cash song “Hurt”…..for they were truly golden years…..and the fact remains that there just aren’t many of those of us boxing fans that lived during that period left anymore…..as more of us die every year. The Golden Years of Boxing provided the boxing fans with 7 legendary heavyweight champions alone, to include: Smokin’ Joe Frazier….. Muhammad Ali…..George Foreman….Larry Holmes…..Lennox Lewis,,,,Mike Tyson…..and Evander Holyfield…..with an extremely talented group of legendary “wanna be’s” like Sonny Liston…..Floyd Patterson….Ingemar Johansson…..Ernie Terrell…..Jimmy Ellis…..Earnie Shavers…..Ken Norton …..brothers Leon and Michael Spinks…..Mike Weaver…..John Tate…..Michael Dokes…..Gerrie Coetzee…..Tim Witherspoon…..Pinklon Thomas…..Greg Page …..Tony Tubbs…..Trevor Berbick…..James “Bonecrusher” Smith…..Buster Douglas…..Francesco Daniami…..Michael Moorer…..Ray Mercer and Reddick Bowe…..just to name a few, cuz this plethora of really good heavyweight boxers were all a part of the Golden Age of Boxing that spoiled those of us fans….cuz no other time in boxing even compares…..and Smokin’ Joe Frazier was one of the original 7 Heavyweight Legends of Boxing to cover the canvases of the rings during the Golden Age.
Boxing – 1965 To 1981 – Roosterman Productions Tribute Highlights Special – “Smokin’ Joe Frazier: The Final Goodbye”
While choosing the video life and career of Smokin’ Joe Frazier as seen in these videos presented in the post on the life and career of a truly exceptional professional boxer…..with one of the most destructive punches in the history of the sport…..who defeated the all time superstar in the history of the sweet science of boxing…..when both of them were undefeated…..and yet he was and will always be in the shadow of The Greatest, Muhammad Ali. After re-watching their epic brutal battles in the ring, I sincerely don’t believe that there WAS NOT A WINNER in any of their three fights…..for in this particular savage rivalry, the forces of Good, of Humble, of Drive and Determination, of Never Say Die, of Loyal and Respectful, with a Sledgehammer Left Hook…..who went “toe to toe” for 43 action packed rounds over 3 brutal fights with the forces of Confidence, of Beauty and Brains, of Bravado, of Speed and Power, of Psychological Warfare, of Star Studded Material…..and when it was all said and done, there was NO OBVIOUS WINNER that could be claimed…..as both Frazier and Ali gave everything that they each had to give and more…..while making the kind of history that can never be erased from the minds of fight fans all over the world. Joe Frazier possessed the perfect combination of heart and class…..as the most humble and inspiring boxer of his generation…..who was an average joe with a drive and determination to as he would say “get the job done”. His fight with Ali is legend. His left hook was even more of a legend…..for he could move a mac truck with that hook…..plus, he wouldn’t stop coming forward. Smokin’ Joe was a nice guy…..who let his fists do the talking. A humble man of indominable courage…..who was a pure fighter through and through. Boxing is referred to as The Sweet Science as a result of the majestic process its practitioners often displayed…..but the sport continues to thrive because of hardened men who are willing to put it all one the line in front of thousands of fans…..with men like Smokin’ Joe Frazier, a fighter not inhibited by fear…..who should be remembered a the ultimate crowd pleaser. I always said Smokin’ Joe had the best ducking, weaving side to side head movement that I have ever seen…..and if he was hitting you with clean shots…..the fact remains that you’re gonna give it up. Joe Frazier instilled fear in everyone, including Muhammad Ali and George Foreman….. and his left hook is considered to be one of the most terrible blows in the history of boxing. Joe Frazier was a simple village hard worker who became one of the greatest fighters of all time. Two of the best fights of the 20th century took place with his participation…..of which he won one of them. Today we remember the legendary fights of Joe Frazier and reveal the secret of how a half-blind boxer managed to write his name in the history of boxing for all times. Absolute warrior, Joe Frazier is undeniably one of the toughest men I’ve ever seen…..as a battle harden man whom his left hook inherits the strength of ten men…..while people always said that they would choose Smokin’ Joe’s left hook if they was making a perfect boxer…..but in my opinion, it’s got to be his heart…..wherein as one of the toughest men in boxing pretty much was boxing blind by the latter part of his career and still wanted more…..whereas the fact that despite his handicaps such as being half blind and having a noticeably shorter arm due to an injury as a teen, just shows how much of an absolute badass he was…..for if you were to look at the definition of a gladiator, Joe Frazier name would pop up…..cuz Smokin’ Joe reminds me of a pack of army ants destroying a prey. He’s just relentless and you can’t stop him once he gets on you. One-time SI writer Mark Kram talked about Joe Frazier’s “mounting destructive rhythm, his percussive urgency, along with a will never before seen in the ring” which is very true! I don’t know about anybody else…..but these boxing matches between these legends of the 1970’s seem nothing less than magical…..as they seem mythical like the Greek gods battling in the heavens……and the irreplaceable Howard Cosell’s voice giving the play by play…..cuz there hasn’t been anything like it since. The 1970’s without question is the greatest decade in boxing history…..when Smokin Joe Frazier was not just one of the Greatest Group of Heavyweights Champions…..but a Man who loved his family and his friends and respected everyone. Smokin’ Joe Frazier was a true Champion….. and certainly one of the Greatest Heavyweights of all time. Without a doubt, the most humble of champions……while everyone was so fascinated with Ali …..but Joe beat the breaks off “The Greatest”. Joe Frazier was an awesome boxer but an even better human being. So much respect for this man…..who was a non-stop fighter always in your face…..and he never backed down from anyone! A great champ!!!!
Boxing – 1964 To 1976 – An ElTerribleProduction Southpaw Boxing Highlights Special – “Career Video Tribute To Smokin’ Joe Frazier”
