Legends of Boxing: Joe Frazier
Forged in a legendary era of heavyweights, Smokin' Joe could rumble with the best
Name: Joe Frazier
Nickname: Smokin’
Date of First Fight: 16th August 1965
Date of Retirement: 3rd December 1981
Titles: WBC and WBA world heavyweight champion
Biography:
Joseph William Frazier was born on 12th January 1944, in South Carolina. Frazier was raised in a rural community, working on the farmland. Travelling north to hook up with his brother, young Joe found his way to Philadelphia and into a boxing gym.
Winning the heavyweight Golden Gloves three years in a row, Frazier was on course for the Olympics, but first needed to get past rival Buster Mathis. Frazier lost to Mathis in a trial. However, when the bigger man was injured, Joe took his spot in the 1964 Games. He won a gold medal and exited his amateur career with a reported 38-2 record to become a pro fighter in 1965.
Given his amateur pedigree, there was interest in Frazier’s potential. Winning his first 11 bouts by KO, Frazier found himself boxing Oscar Bonavena in New York’s Madison Square Garden. It was Frazier’s toughest bout so far. He was knocked down twice but bounced back to win a split decision.
A string of wins followed as Frazier got past old amateur rival Buster Mathis by KO and contender Jerry Quarry in the 1969 Fight of the Year. He was already a world champion by the time he pulled off his biggest win to date, when he handed Muhammad Ali his first loss in 1971. Frazier would go on to fight Ali twice more, losing both times. The second bout came in 1974 and the third meeting in 1975, known as ‘The Thrilla in Manila’.
By the time of the second Ali fight, Frazier had already lost his world title, having been brutally knocked out in two rounds by George Foreman in Jamaica. Frazier could never get the better of Foreman and was knocked out in the fifth round of their 1976 rematch. Frazier hung up the gloves after that fight, only to return five years later. Looking older and a lot heavier than his prime weight, Frazier boxed to a draw and never returned to the ring.
Frazier’s Philadelphia style made him an extremely difficult opponent. Added to the fact that he was strong, durable, could punch hard and kept coming forward. Frazier wore opponents down with his pressure and he used his powerful left hook to knock people out. 27 of his 32 wins came by KO. Frazier was quite small in stature when compared to some of the huge heavyweights that came after him.
Smokin’ Joe received multiple awards across his career and was recognised by the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Ring Magazine as Fighter of the Year on more than one occasion. Reigning as the undisputed heavyweight king from 1970 to 1973, Frazier is often listed in the top 10 of any greatest heavyweight rankings.
An accomplished singer, Frazier formed a band in the 1970s and embarked on a tour across Europe and the United States. Frazier once appeared as himself in an episode of The Simpsons. There is a statue in Philadelphia to celebrate the life and achievements of this boxing hero.
Image Credits: CNN, ESPN.
About Steve…
Current existence: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine.
Previous lives: Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist, copywriter & educator.
Contact: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com
I always admired Joe and hated it when Ali called him ugly. He had tremendous stamina. I'd feel exhausted watching him.