During Joe Frazier's era the heavyweight division was one to be feared. With the likes of Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and the aformentioned Frazier fighters were revered and held in high esteem.
Frazier passed away on Monday after succumbing to liver cancer which he was dignosed with in September of this year.
The 67-year-old had many fights but his most memorable will always be the three epic mayches between he and Ali. Frazier told the Associated Press ''I can't go nowhere where it's not mentioned.'' The first of which in 1971 dubbed the "The Fight of the Century" saw Frazier win in 15 rounds with a devastating left hook. The only of those two matches Frazier won as Ali took the final two one in New York and the other was the "Thrilla in Manila."
Many forget besides a heavyweight champion Smokin' Joe was also was an Olympic Champion back in 1964 becoming the only American to win gold in boxing. He also trained boxers at his gym in Philadelphia which he sold in 2008 due to financial difficulties.
Ali and Frazier had their battles through the years in and out of the ring. But in a statement Ali said ''I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration. 'My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.''
From The Sports Mind Of RB:
Many of my generation are not big boxing fans and have gravitated towards UFC or mixed martial arts. Whether it be because there is no single heavyweight champion or there is no one to truly root for. Looking back at Ali, Foreman, and Frazier one thing is for certain,they will never be duplicated again.
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