Legendary heavyweight boxer Smokin’ Joe Frazier dies at the age of 67 – Boxing news
Legendary heavyweight boxer Smokin’ Joe Frazier passed away last Monday on November 7, 2011 at the age of 67 after a brief but brave battle with liver cancer.
Smokin’ Joe, who was an Olympic gold medallist and Undisputed World Heavyweight boxing champion, was diagnosed with liver cancer in late September 2011 and within a few weeks time he died under hospital care.
Frazier, who during his career held a record of winning 32 of his 37 professional fights (1 Draw), with 27 of his wins coming by the way of a knockout, was widely considered as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all times.
In the 1970s, boxing was all about Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali and their subsequent trilogy made it the best era of heavyweight boxing.
Frazier, who was an inductee of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame, was the first man to beat Muhammad Ali in a fight which was dubbed as ‘Fight of the Century’. Though he lost his following two fights, he proved
to be as one of the toughest opponents for Ali.
Frazier had one of the meanest left hooks the world of boxing had ever seen and his rivalry with Muhammad Ali is still considered as King of all rivalries yet Ali admitted the sport has lost a great ambassador.
“The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration,” Ali said. “If God ever calls me to a holy war,” The Greatest once said, “I want Joe Frazier fighting beside me.”
Frazier’s funeral details were released by his family on Wednesday and as per them, Smokin’ Joe’s body will be lying in a state at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“This will be an opportunity for his many fans, supporters and boxing lovers from around the world to pay their final respects to Joe Frazier,” his family said in a press release.
Frazier was a true fighter and a man with a great heart but unfortunately, he found a fight he could not win. However, he will be remembered forever by his fans around the globe.
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