Prayers for Mr. Frazier.
How did Muhammad Ali get away with calling Joe a “Gorilla”, can you imagine the firestorm if a white person called him that?
Joe Frazier, I love you, Joe!!! What a man, what an American!!! God almighty can lift your body & soul into heaven, Joe, but...he can never take your amazing presence from our hearts, minds and souls!!! God bless you Mr. Frazier (Smokin’ Joe) and your wonderful family and loved ones!!! You are a credit to your country, to yourself and to professional boxing!!!
The man could throw a punch - I despised Ali for the way he treated Joe.
Ali vs. Frazier I was the biggest sporting event of all-time in terms of cross -over interest for non-sports fans. It was a cultural battle as well. Liberals and anti-Vietnamers were for Ali, while Frazier was the choice for conservative America.
That’s right, so-called racist America embraced Frazier, and he embraced the role of a proud American. It was great to see Ali get his jaw broken by the man he disgracefully insulted.
A few years later, Foreman took on the same role as Frazier, but Ali stopped him. (I’ve read that Ali was a Reagan supporter during the 80’s.)
Frazier has had a tough go of out since then. Hope he survives this.
About a couple of decades ago I was getting on a plane and noticed him sitting in First Class. He was wearing black, of course, and had a gold chain around his neck. I smiled, raised a clenched fist and went ‘Smokin’ Joe’. He smiled back. I’ll always remember that.
Very sorry to hear this, one of my favorite fighters.
The Gullah people of the low country of the Carolinas and Georgia have given us many great Americans. Among them are Joe Frazier and Clarence Thomas. Prayers for you. Joe. Thanks for being a great American.
From one Smokin’ Joe to another (and much more famous one), Prayers up for your recovery!