Joe Frazier – Heavyweight Champion – 32-4-1

He was the first man to be ‘The Greatest’, Muhummad Ali, and the formidable trilogy between the two means the two names will forever be linked together. Apart from one late comeback, Frazier’s career lasted 10 years, and spent half of it as a world champion, igniting the world with his smokin’ style, and spectacular left hook.

Inspired by the Past Greats

Joe Frazier was born on 12th January, 1944, in Beaumont, South Carolina, Frazier grew up in the countryside and was working from the age of 6, picking vegetables  in the fields for 15 cents a crate in a 12-hour working day. Frazier later credited the tough outdoor work for helping him develop muscular strength. Frazier was first exposed to boxing after his father bought a B&W television, and the family used to watch great fighters including Ray Robinson, Marciano and Willie Pep. His uncle noticed Frazier’s muscular physique and claimed: ‘that boy there..that boy is gonna be another Joe Louis’.

Olympic Champion

After the 16 year old-220lbs Frazier joined the boxing gym, he later formed a 37-1 amateur record, losing only to Buster Mathis Sr., in the Olympics final trial. After Mathis suffered a broken hand that stopped him from going to the 1964 Olympics, Frazier took his place and went in his place. Joe actually suffered a broken hand himself prior to the Olympic final, but he fought through it and won a narrow decision, and brought the gold medal back to America.

Young Joe Frazier

Becoming HW Champ in Ali’s Absence

Frazier turned pro in 1965, sponsored by a group of local businessmen (including a young Larry Merchany), in return for 35% of Frazier’s  earnings. Under trainer Yancey Durham, Frazier was in the ring knocking out fighters within 3 rounds. In 1966, legendary Eddie Futch joined the team and Frazier continued to rise through the ranks in entertaining style. In 1967, Ali was stripped of his title and the WBA held a tournament that ended with them Jimmy Ellis being recognised as the WBA champion. Meanwhile, Frazier beat Mathis Sr. (who was previously undefeated) to be recognised as the heavyweight champion in the eyes of the NY Athletic Commission.

After 1969 wins against Oscar Bonavena and Jerry Quarry, Frazier faced the WBA champion to determine once and for all, who was most deserving of the world championship. Frazier demolished Jimmy Ellis in four rounds, with Angelo Dundee (Ellis’ trainer) stopping the fight in the corner.

Ali-Frazier 1 – Fight of the Century Build Up

After a defending his title against the Light Heavyweight champion, Bob Foster, the fight between Muhummad Ali and Frazier would take place. Ali (31-0) was returning after being stripped of his title, so he never actually suffered a defeat. For this reason, the public considered Ali to be the true champion in their eyes. The third ‘Fight of the Century, was the biggest fight since Louis-Schmeling, taking $1.3 million(a record for an indoor fight), $16.5 million from closed-circuit TV, 300 million world watchers and 20,000 spectators. The 1971 fight was made even more huge by Ali’s vicious verbal assault on Frazier, labelling him an uncle Tom and an ugly gorilla. It was no doubt done to promote the fight.  But tt still deeply hurt Frazier, especially as it was Frazier who was one of few to support Ali during Ali’s three year absence, financially and verbally.

Defeats Ali

Despite Ali’s obvious decline, Frazier still deserves credit for the impressive performance he put on. Eddie Futch devised the perfect strategy, getting Frazier to utilise his left hook effectively when Ali opened himself up before throwing right uppercuts. In the last round of the 15 round fight, Frazier dropped Ali, to seal the decision and become the first man to topple Ali. The brutal nature of the fight meant that both men were hospitalised after the fight.

Loss to Foreman

In 1973, Frazier lost his undefeated record of 29-0 when he came up against the unbeaten and ferocious young challenger and 1968 Olympic champion, George Foreman. Taking place on January 22nd, in Kingston, Jamaica, Frazier was blasted out in two rounds, hitting the canvas six times before the fight was stopped.

Resuming the Ali trilogy

12 months later, Frazier faced Ali for the second time in New York City, in a non-title fight which Ali won by unanimous decision.  The rubber match occurred in October, 1975,  taking place in Manila, Philippines. The ‘Thrilla in Manila’ was a brutal and entertaining affair. Both men showed tremendous heart and after 14 punishing rounds, Ali told his corner he could no longer continue. However, before Ali’s corner could stop the fight, Frazier’s corner stopped the fight first, with Frazier also unable to continue. As Ali celebrated, he collapsed in his corner and later described the experience as ‘the closest thing to dying’.

Foreman and the Final Chapters

Late Joe Frazier

Frazier fought Foreman once more, with the fight being stopped in the fifth round. Frazier was now finished (apart from a 1981 comeback draw), and spend the following years in Philadelphia training young fighters at his gym. His son, Marvin Frazier, unsuccessful tried to topple heavyweight king Larry Holmes, and was beaten by Tyson in 1986. He also dipped in promoting fights in addition to training fighters. Frazier died in 2011, at the age of 67, after suffering from liver cancer.