Posted on 11/07/2011 9:58:21 PM PST by Justaham
He beat Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century, battled him nearly to the death in the Thrilla in Manila. Then Joe Frazier spent the rest of his life trying to fight his way out of Ali's shadow.
That was one fight Frazier never could win.
He was once a heavyweight champion, and a great one at that. Ali would say as much after Frazier knocked him down in the 15th round en route to becoming the first man to beat Ali at Madison Square Garden in March 1971.
But he bore the burden of being Ali's foil, and he paid the price. Bitter for years about the taunts his former nemesis once threw his way, Frazier only in recent times came to terms with what happened in the past and said he had forgiven Ali for everything he said.
Frazier, who died Monday night after a brief battle with liver cancer at the age of 67, will forever be linked to Ali. But no one in boxing would ever dream of anointing Ali as The Greatest unless he, too, was linked to Smokin' Joe.
"You can't mention Ali without mentioning Joe Frazier," said former AP boxing writer Ed Schuyler Jr. "He beat Ali, don't forget that."
They fought three times, twice in the heart of New York City and once in the morning in a steamy arena in the Philippines. They went 41 rounds together, with neither giving an inch and both giving it their all.
In their last fight in Manila 1975, they traded punches with a fervor that seemed unimaginable among heavyweights. Frazier gave almost as good as he got for 14 rounds, then had to be held back by trainer Eddie Futch as he tried to go out for the final round, unable to see.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.go.com ...
RIP
R.I.P. Joe. Condolences to the family and friends of Joe Frazier.
RIP Joe Frazier, one of the great ones from a very different time. One of the commentors at ESPN said something that hit the mark: “A piece of America died tonight.”
RIP Smokin’ Joe, and thank you.
You entertained millions, and were underrated because of who you had to fight.
Boxing’s Golden Age is over. We lost a great one yesterday.
Damn
Good Man
Rest in Peace
Not true in my house.
Rest in peace, Smokin' Joe. In my book, you won more than you were given.
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