Vale Joe Frazier

[Yossarian]

Smokin' Joe passed away from liver cancer. A fantastic boxer from a golden era of heavyweight boxers who only lost to 2 fighters (both world champs and all-time greats) in his whole career. Joe had a very unusual style for a heavy and a fantastic left hook.

 

[happy_tiger]

Joe was a great fighter Father to 11 children Only beaten by Ali and Foreman RIP Joe Frazier

On a lighter note watched a DVD a few years ago which had Joe Frazier ,Mohammad Ali,Ken Norton,George Foreman and Larry Holmes They were sitting around having dinner talking ,telling stories Fantastic Stuff
At the end Reggie Jackson (who was the host ) asked them who they thought was the best of all of the 5 at the dinner and they asked Joe first and Joe said Larry Holmes was the best

Ali was infuriated even in his medical state and I thought that Joe and Ali were going to put on the gloves for one last great stoush

If anyone gets a chance to watch this DVD most definitely watch it was amazing seeing these 5 champions in the one room

 

[Yossarian]

I also love the story of Ali and Frazier long after they retired. Frazier was talking it up and Ali says - I bet I can hit that bag faster than you. Seeing as though Ali had Parkinsons, Frazier takes the bait and pounds the bag a few times with some stinging shots. Ali then approaches the bag, grunts without moving his hands and turns to Frazier and says something like "You want me to hit it again?" Everyone cracks up laughing.

Ken Norton is under-rated. A fantastic athlete, the kind of which is lost to boxing these days. A shame because someone like Norton would easily win a title these days.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I saw footage of Ali arriving at the funeral. He's not looking very healthy at all either

 

[Yossarian]

I saw footage of Ali arriving at the funeral. He's not looking very healthy at all either

To be honest I'm amazed Ali is still getting around like that at all. With his illness and at 65 it must have been some effort to go at all.