American Joe Frazier, also known as Smokin(***) Joe, passed away on November 7 2011 after a battle with liver cancer. The former heavyweight champion boxer was famous for his powerful left hook and for defeating archrival Muhammed Ali in the (***)Fight of the Century(***) in 1971 [GALLO/GETTY]
Published On 8 Nov 20118 Nov 2011
Here Joe Frazier is pictured felling German opponent Hans Huber in the Heavyweight Boxing Final at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. A twenty-year old Frazier was fighting with a broken left thumb when he became an Olympic champion and won gold for the United States [GALLO/GETTY]
Advertisement
Without doubt Frazier(***)s biggest and bloodiest win came in March 1971 when he defeated Muhammed Ali in the (***)Fight of the Century(***). Ali was knocked to the floor in the 15th round (pictured) by Frazier(***)s trademark left hook as Smokin(***) Joe retained his world champion status, which he(***)d won in 1970. Ali and Frazier each walked away with various injuries as well as $2.5 million, then a record for a single prize-fight [GALLO/GETTY]
Joe Frazier was one of the greatest boxers of his generation with a phenomenal record of 32 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw. In this photo Frazier is defeating Australian Joe Bugner in a close-fought contest in London(***)s Earl(***)s Court Arena in 1973 [GALLO/GETTY]
The boxing world mourned the death of Joe Frazier. (***)Smokin(***) Joe(***) captured two major heavyweight titles in his career and famously beat Muhammad Ali in New York in 1971 in a bout dubbed (***)The Fight of the Century(***) [GALLO/GETTY]
Like many boxers do, Frazier retired more than once. He first hung up his gloves in 1976 after losing to George Forman for the second time. He returned to the ring in 1981 for a bout against fellow American Floyd Cummings which ended in a draw. Then Smokin(***) Joe exited the ring for good, bar the odd publicity photo of course [GALLO/GETTY]
In retirement, Frazer helped guide son Marvis towards an unsuccessful world title shot against Larry Holmes. Marvis, one of his 11 children, was also knocked-out against Mike Tyson in 1986 [GALLO/GETTY]
Advertisement
Daughter Jacqui Frazier also followed in her father(***)s footsteps when she became a professional boxer. In 2001, she came up against Muhammed Ali(***)s daughter Laila but lost on a decision [GALLO/GETTY]
After his passing at the age of 67 Smokin(***) Joe will be fondly remembered by boxing and sport fans around the world. He was a man often frustrated by finding himself in the shadow of Muhammed Ali, however, with twelve world-title fights and a 73% record he will go down as one of the finest boxers to have ever graced the ring [GALLO/GETTY]
