Joe Frazier Dead: Boxing Legend Loses Battle With Liver Cancer at 67 (PHOTOS)
Former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier died Monday night from liver cancer at the age of 67.
Frazier was diagnosed in late September, and had been placed in hospice care.
Known as “Smokin’ Joe,“ Frazier was famous the world over for his public feuds and epic duels with Muhammad Ali.
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His first bout versus Ali, hyped as “The Fight of the Century”, took place March 8, 1971 at Madison Square Garden. After 15 grueling rounds, Frazier knocked out Ali and was crowned king.
The trash-talking rivalry culminated with the mythical rematch, promoted as the "Thrilla in Manila", on Oct. 1, 1975 in the Philippines, one of the most savage fights in modern boxing history.
In the 14th round, Ali pummeled the blinded Frazier, and nearly knocked him down before the bell rang. The referee stopped the fight and awarded the victory to Ali.
In a post-fight interview, Ali said, "He is the greatest fighter of all times, next to me."
Only Ali and George Foreman knocked out Frazier, who fought just twice more after the "Thrilla in Manila."
Frazier ended his storied career with an ironclad 32-4-1 record.
Frazier's first knockout by Foreman is immortalized by legendary announcer Howard Cosell's iconic call,"Down goes Frazier!"
Frazier retired after the second loss to Foreman in 1976, but came out of retirement in 1981 to battle Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings. The match went 10-rounds and ended in a draw.
In retirement, Frazier established a boxing program for inner city youth in his Philadelphia boxing gym. His son Marvis and daughter Jacqui, trained by their father, went on to become boxers.
Frazier first burst onto the scene when he made the U.S. boxing team for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and won the heavyweight amateur gold medal.
