Smokin' Joe Frazier in a hospice

[billie1]

Didn't even know he was unwell but his manager confirmed he has cancer of the liver and it isn't looking good . 29 wins from 33 fights , only Big George really had his number . Famously the first to beat Ali in 1971 , he was one of the greatest of all heavyweight champions . The Thrilla in Manilla still remains arguably the greatest boxing fight ever . Sad news .

[1964white]

Didn't even know he was unwell but his manager confirmed he has cancer of the liver and it isn't looking good . 29 wins from 33 fights , only Big George really had his number . Famously the first to beat Ali in 1971 , he was one of the greatest of all heavyweight champions . The Thrilla in Manilla still remains arguably the greatest boxing fight ever . Sad news .

Sad news indeed !

[Tommy Rose]

What a fighter,they don't make em' like that anymore

[Clacton White]

Only Foreman and Ali ever beat Joe ( twice each ) - he gave Ali hell though . Didn't realise he fought as few fights as 37 though .... but it was in one hell of an era - Frazier , Foreman , Ali , Norton - then you had the likes of Bonavena , Young , Quarry , Ellis , Shavers - followed by Holmes -all would easily hold their own in the current era .

[Drs.Dad]

Only Foreman and Ali ever beat Joe ( twice each ) - he gave Ali hell though . Didn't realise he fought as few fights as 37 though .... but it was in one hell of an era - Frazier , Foreman , Ali , Norton - then you had the likes of Bonavena , Young , Quarry , Ellis , Shavers - followed by Holmes -all would easily hold their own in the current era .

He was also beaten by Ken Norton, but having said that Ali had his jaw broken in the second and continued for another 10 rounds, losing by a hotly contested points decision.

[Clacton White]

He was also beaten by Ken Norton, but having said that Ali had his jaw broken in the second and continued for another 10 rounds, losing by a hotly contested points decision.

No - I eant only Frazier was beaten by Ali and Foreman , I know Norton beat Ali once - Frazier - Norton never fought . Norton fought Larry Holmes for vacant world title , everyone thought Norton would win , not realising how good Holmes was .

What an era . All we have now is giant lumbering Russians .

[Drs.Dad]

That'll teach me to organise my thoughts before opening my mouth (or keyboard). Like one of my old instructors once said, 'Read the question, stupid!'

[billie1]

I got my stats wrong as well . I didn't realise that he had fought 37 times ( thought it was 33 ) .Nor did I realise that he fought 1 more time after the second loss to Foreman . He came out of retirement and fought Jumbo Cummins ( I remember him fighting Frank Bruno ) to a draw in 1981. I also notice that he fought a number of exhibition bouts after he beat Ali , before rather ill advisedly taking on George Foreman in Jamaca who bounced him around the ring knocking him down 6 times .

[Clacton White]

I got my stats wrong as well . I didn't realise that he had fought 37 times ( thought it was 33 ) .Nor did I realise that he fought 1 more time after the second loss to Foreman . He came out of retirement and fought Jumbo Cummins ( I remember him fighting Frank Bruno ) to a draw in 1981. I also notice that he fought a number of exhibition bouts after he beat Ali , before rather ill advisedly taking on George Foreman in Jamaca who bounced him around the ring knocking him down 6 times .

Forman was actually s**t scared before the Frazier fight as Frazier had that reputation and at the time though unbeaten , Foreman had largely been untested ( sort of Bruno pre Bonecrusher Smith ) - Forman's biggest fight to then had probably been George Chuvalo . Don't think anyone , even Formann thought he could destroy Frazier like that - lifted him off his feet with one punch , maybe it was that Frazier's style was made for Foreman perfectly .
Look at the people Frazier fought and its like a who's who of 70's boxing greats - he avoided no one , though never fought Norton - makes his record more amazing really . Crammed a lot into 37 fights .

[billie1]

Forman was actually crap scared before the Frazier fight as Frazier had that reputation and at the time though unbeaten , Foreman had largely been untested ( sort of Bruno pre Bonecrusher Smith ) - Forman's biggest fight to then had probably been George Chuvalo . Don't think anyone , even Formann thought he could destroy Frazier like that - lifted him off his feet with one punch , maybe it was that Frazier's style was made for Foreman perfectly .
Look at the people Frazier fought and its like a who's who of 70's boxing greats - he avoided no one , though never fought Norton - makes his record more amazing really . Crammed a lot into 37 fights .

You're right CW , Smokin' Joe fought them all . What a fighter . Lots of theories / reasons why he came so unstuck in Jamaica , but for me it also showed just how good Foreman was . Whatever the reason , it was a great era in the heavyweight division , and Joe was a true warrior . His manager said on the radio today that 300 million watched the fight with Ali in 1971 on closed circuit TV . An amazing statistic and a testimony to two great men .

[billie1]

Sadly Joe Frazier has passed away . RIP

[1964white]

RIP

[Clacton White]

Sad to hear that .

[joluafc4eva]

Such a shame but not unexpected.

RIP

[Gurj]

When Heavyweight Boxers really were greats of the sport.......R I P Smokin Joe

[billie1]

Great tribute from George Foreman on Sky Sports tonight . He was , as CW pointed out , terrified of stepping into the ring with Joe , and thought he had no chance . Very generously he also said that had he fought Frazier prior to the '71 bout with Ali , he'd never have stood a chance . He thought Joe left a lot behind him in the ring after " the fight of the century " . Maybe that's true . For me I will remember him with great respect and admiration . One of the true greats of 20th century sport .