Joe Frazier Dead: Smokin' Joe Credited His Christian Faith for Success
Legendary heavyweight champion boxer Joe Frazier has died of cancer at age 67, but up until his death, he believed his Christian faith was responsible for his success in life.
Frazier, who lived in the shadow of his rival Muhammad Ali for most of his career, had previously claimed that Ali having Parkinson’s disease was a result of his lack of faith. Frazier, in contrast, at that time was considered to be in great physical shape at 65, when he spoke about Ali.
“[Ali],” the former champion said, “must not bend down to the good Man above,” he said in an interview to USA Today.
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Ever since Frazier’s series of fights with Ali, there had been hostility between the two over the comments Ali had made.
The People’s Champion had called Frazier terrible names, like “Uncle Tom,” “ugly,” “chump,” “ignorant,” and “gorilla,” especially because it rhymed with the title of the pair’s final fight, The Thrilla in Manila.
The ill will between the two fighters did not wane after Ali finally defeated Frazier. Although Ali had said positive things about him, like, “Joe Frazier… brings out the best in me,” and, “[Frazier] is the greatest fighter of all time, next to me,” the duo remained unfriendly.
Almost 40 years later, Frazier had said he had gotten over Ali’s taunting, partially due to his Christian beliefs.
He said, “Sure,” when asked if he had forgiven Ali. But added, “…but the Man above, you’d better ask him.”
“Regardless of who you are, you have to think one way, and the right way, to be accepted by the Man above,” said the warrior. “He calls the shots.”
Joseph William “Joe” Frazier, also known as “Smokin’ Joe” was a top contender in his brutal sport, going on to win four heavyweight champion titles, a 1964 Olympic boxing gold medal, and was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
Frazier was diagnosed with liver cancer, and lost his final fight to the disease. He died Monday evening.
