Boxing great Joe Frazier has died

[DinahMoeHum]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/sports/joe-frazier-a-champion-who-won-inside-the-ring-and-out.html?ref=sports

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/sports/joe-frazier-ex-heavyweight-champ-dies-at-67.html
(snip)
Joe Frazier, the former heavyweight champion whose furious and intensely personal fights with a taunting Muhammad Ali endure as an epic rivalry in boxing history, died Monday night. He was 67.

His business representative, Leslie Wolff, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Frazier had liver cancer and that he had entered hospice care.

Known as Smokin’ Joe, Frazier stalked his opponents around the ring with a crouching, relentless attack — his head low and bobbing, his broad, powerful shoulders hunched — as he bore down on them with an onslaught of withering jabs and crushing body blows, setting them up for his devastating left hook.

It was an overpowering modus operandi that led to versions of the heavyweight crown from 1968 to 1973. Frazier won 32 fights in all, 27 by knockouts, losing four times — twice to Ali in furious bouts and twice to George Foreman. He also recorded one draw.
(snip)

much more at the links...

RIP, Smokin' Joe. You were indeed one of the greatest.

:cry: :toast:

[era veteran]

1. RIP

I always thought Joe was misunderstood.

[joeybee12]

2. So sad...RIP

:cry:

[trumad]

3. Looking forward to the Obit

From the great H20 man.

Frazier was one of the great sportsmen of my life. Fond fond memories of his fights.

Hey Joe...say hello to Rocky and Sugar Ray for me.

[H2O Man]

7. Yep ......

Joe holds a special place in sports/boxing, and as a solid role model for our generation. I'm going to be posting an essay about him .... hopefully later today, but maybe not until tomorrow. We had a little contact with him in the 1970s .... more with Friend Marvis more recently, and then Joe through Marvis.

Some other friends from the boxing community had told me that Joe was ill several weeks ago .... before the cancer was diagnosed. (Also, the great welterweight & middleweight champion Emile Griffith is very ill; he and Joe were close associates. I sat next to Emile at the 2nd Frazier vs Ali fight, and have enjoyed seeing him on & off over the years.)

Few things make this grumpy old man weep these days. Joe's death has done just that; hence, my delay in postingmore.

[KamaAina]

9. Sorry to hear about Emile

I used to frequent the Journal Square Pub in Jersey City, which was said to be his hangout. I never saw him, though. :(

[wilt the stilt]

4. great fighter

I remember him winning the Olympics and many of his great fights. RIP Joe.

[MrCoffee]

5. RIP Joe

A sad day indeed.

[bluedigger]

6. He left his mark - RIP.

[Auggie]

8. Frazier and Ali defined that era of boxing for many of us...

Thank you, Joe, for your contribution. You were amazing.

[BeyondGeography]

10. So much to mourn

if you loved those fights and that era.

RIP, champ.

3/8/71, Round 15:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLWYnTFz9PE