Showing posts with label Joe Frazier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Frazier. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Muhammad Ali , Joe Frazier and George Foreman: Rare BBC Interview in 1990
This is a great interview with some rare moments of friendship and openness between the former champions.
As a boxing fan I came of age in the era of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman. This was, in my opinion, the real "Golden Age" of heavyweight boxing, especially when you throw in all the other heavyweights into the midst. Guys, like Ken Norton, Jerry Quarry, George Chuvalo, Ron Lyle, Ernie Shavers, and the list could go on and on. Today's heavyweights pale by comparison.
A courtesy link to this video was sent by John Bardelli
Friday, February 3, 2012
Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears (The Complete Movie)
Last year I reviewed the documentary Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears. The movie is now available online. It offers some great insight into the heart, mind and soul of the late Joe Frazier.
You can read my review here.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Joe Frazier’s Funeral
Monday November 14, 2011
9-11am Calling – Closed Casket
11am – Service Starts
9-11am Calling – Closed Casket
11am – Service Starts
Calling and Service will be held at
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
2800 West Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19150
Get Directions
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
2800 West Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19150
Get Directions
In Lieu of Flowers, the Frazier family asks you to send donations to
The American Cancer Society. Make checks payable to ACS, Inc.
8400 Silver Crossing, Oklahoma City, OK 73132.
Please include in your memo: In Memory of Joe Frazier.
The American Cancer Society. Make checks payable to ACS, Inc.
8400 Silver Crossing, Oklahoma City, OK 73132.
Please include in your memo: In Memory of Joe Frazier.
Please leave a comment on JoeFraziersCorner.com if you’d like to pay your respects.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Fight
By Randy De La O
I'm trying to find some kind of way to describe to a younger generation just how big the first fight between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali was. If ever there was a fight that could accurately be deemed “The Fight of the Century” this was the one. It is often, just simply called “The Fight”. No explanation is needed.
Oh, there were other so called“Fights of the Century” but in terms of historic epic heavyweight fights, only Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling II, and perhaps Jack Johnson vs James J. Jeffries come close. But this fight had something that no other heavyweight fight before it had; two undefeated heavyweights, each with a legitimate claim to the heavyweight title, the biggest prize in all of sports, perhaps the biggest prize anywhere. Add to that all the media attention that was not available to those other fights. The timing was right.
So big was the fight across the world that countries shut down and a war was put on hold – Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali were going to fight. Celebrities, politicians, anyone and everyone wanted to be part of the act. Frank Sinatra himself was to cover the fight as the photographer for Life magazine (I have that issue).
I was a junior in high school when this fight took place. When I think, talk or write about this fight, or either fighter, it is always through the eyes of a 16 year old boy, I can't help it. As I write this my eyes are welling up with tears as I remember. Both of these guys were my boxing heroes. It was hard for me to think of them fighting each other.
If you have read anything I have written before you know that my heart sometimes-No, make that always-overrides my head. I wear my heart on my sleeves. There is no hiding who I like and who I dislike. So when it was announced that Frazier and Ali were going to fight, I was besides myself, trying to decide where to place my loyalty. Ultimately, I put my $5.00 weekly lunch money on Smokin' Joe (I didn't tell my parents).
My father, a fighter in the army, was an old school fight fan and came from a time when fighters fought, not talked, and so he was not a fan of Ali. His guys were; Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Jerry Quarry and of course, Joe Frazier. Many from that generation could never quite warm up to Ali's bombastic style of boasting. Me? I ate it up. I knew it was all an act. Still, Joe Frazier; stoic, fierce and with a determined scowl, pacing back and forth like a wild cat, anticipating his prey, really grabbed me.
Ali had a way of getting inside a fighter's head. He would find out what another fighter's button was and than push it, and no one could push it like Ali. Frazier had built a wall around himself and Ali was never able to penetrate it. What we know now, that we didn't know then, or at least I didn't, was that Ali's words did hurt Joe. The “Uncle Tom” and “Gorilla” tags hurt Joe to the core of his being and he carried that resentment and anger throughout his life.
Somehow, Joe was able to channel that anger inside the ring. Relentless, forward moving and constantly throwing punches, but always in control.
Ali, as almost everyone already knows, was coming back from a three year exile. His last fight before he was stripped of the heavyweight title was a 15 round title defense against Zora Folley, stopping Folley in the 7th round and defending his WBA title.
It would be three years before Ali would fight again. In his comeback Ali had taken on a new persona. He was now a genuine folk hero. He had taken a stance against the U.S. Government and the Viet Nam War and he won. As much as he was hated, or disliked before the exile, the political and social change that had swept the country made him bigger than ever. Not to say that there were no longer any Ali haters, but they were no longer the majority.
Ali fought again on October, 1970 when a fight was finally secured in Atlanta, Georgia against popular and ever tough West Coast favorite, “Irish” Jerry Quarry. Ali would stop Quarry in the 3rd round. Officially the fight was a TKO due to cuts.
His next bout was with Argentina's Oscar Bonavena in December of 1970, at Madison Square Garden, New York. Ali stopped Bonavena in the 15th round after knocking the Argentinian down three times in the final round. Ali had dominated the fight. Next up: Joe Frazier.
In June of 1969, Frazier defeated Jerry Quarry – in Ring Magazine's fight of the year- to win the New York version of the heavyweight title by stopping Quarry in the 7thround of their scheduled 15 round fight.
Next on Frazier's hit list was Jimmy Ellis, for the vacant WBC title, as well as the WBA heavyweight title, also at stake was Joe's NYSAC heavyweight title. Ellis had won his version of the heavyweight championship by defeating Jerry Quarry a year earlier to win the heavyweight tournament. Ellis would be TKO'ed in 5 rounds. The fight was scheduled for 15 rounds. Joe Frazier was now the Heavyweight Champion of the world. Joe made quick work of his next opponent, light heavy king, Bob Foster, as Foster attempted to take the crown from Frazier. Foster was knocked out in the 2nd round. Next up: Muhammad Ali.
Back at school, as the fight was approaching, those that followed boxing, and even those that didn't typically follow the sport, were broken into two camps: Frazier or Ali. It wasn't just school though, it was like that everywhere. I stayed out of any arguments. Despite the fact that I had picked Frazier to win, I was still a fan of Ali. I picked Frazier because, at that time and from what I had seen. I thought him invincible. As far as my heart was concerned, I was loyal to both. I would say nothing bad about Ali. Both were the heavyweight champions.
This was all taking place before cable and PPV television. So we had to depend on the news from the radio and of course, from the paper the next day. The fight took place at Madison Square Garden, in New York. The Garden and New York were still the epicenter of boxing in those days. The referee was Arthur Mercante. Joe Frazier beat Ali by unanimous decision and was now the absolute undisputed heavyweight champion of the word. Ali was down in the 15th round as a result of a Frazier left hook. I still have the newspaper from that day, forty plus years later. It's wrinkled, fragile and yellow now. It's in a box somewhere. The fight was front page news all across the globe.
I had bragging rights at school, but really as happy as I was that Frazier had won the fight I was equally unhappy that Ali had lost. I was going to feel that way regardless of who won and lost. It's the price you pay for loving your fighters.
Over the years I have seen the fight on rebroadcasts and later on Youtube (a boxing fans best friend). Ali seemed in control in the early rounds but Joe was smoking and he just was not going to lose. I never tire of watching it.
They fought three times in total. Their last fight , in 1975, was “The Thrilla in Manilla” which might have even surpassed the first fight. That fight ended in the 14thround when trainer and cornerman, the late and great Eddie Futch refused to let Joe come out for the final round. It's said that both men were near death that day. Whether that's true or not, I couldn't say. What I do know is that both men damaged each other. They fought each other with every fiber of their beings. They took each other to a place that most of us will never see or imagine. Neither of them were never again the same. Their fights with each other were of epic, almost mythical proportion. They were giants.
Their rivalry and trilogy was one for the ages. Their feud transcended the ring. In the last couple of years, they finally made peace with each other. Joe forgave Ali for the words, and belittlement. God Bless him for that.
I was lucky to be a fight fan when giants still fought in the ring. Smokin' Joe Frazier, a fighter's fighter and a man's man. Goodbye Joe, I'll miss you!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Smokin' Joe Frazier has Cancer
“Life doesn't run away from nobody. Life runs at people.”
-Joe Frazier
Legendary heavyweight and all around good guy, Smokin' Joe Frazier has Liver Cancer. Joe has always been a bigger than life man and champion to his countless and loyal fans, and that includes my entire family.
Joe is in God's hands now, and is in the fight of his life, we will continue to pray for his recovery. Joe as well as his family are in our prayers. God Bless you Smokin' Joe Frazier.
Past articles on this site on Joe Frazier.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears
"He got as much out of himself as there was to give, and maybe more, and you can't ask any more of any man, including yourself" - Larry Merchant
I was privileged, recently, to view a video of the new documentary "Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears". Joe Frazier's story has been told time and time again. The story is familiar to us by now. Yet director Mike Todd still managed to give us a fresh perspective on Frazier's life and career. Narrated by Joe's eldest son, Marvis Frazier, along with testimonials from family, friends and boxing personalities, including George Foreman, Bernard Hopkins and Larry Merchant, who share some candid memories. However, this is much more than a "This is Your Life" documentary. It is more like a well crafted, tightly woven tapestry that comes together to form a beautifully clear picture of it's subject, in this case "Smokin' Joe" Frazier, former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
The film begins with Frazier singing a reworked song made famous by Frank Sinatra, "My Way" and he was indeed doing it his way, as only "Smokin' Joe" can, a little slow perhaps and a little off key but with a passion and heart that has defined Joe Frazier to his legion of fans and admirers. The common belief is that Joe Frazier has been left bitter on the issue of Muhammad Ali, maybe at one time, but this peek into his current life says otherwise. If anything Frazier seems content with his place in boxing history, he is content with what he knows. So is his family. Joe Frazier is truly loved by his family, friends and fans and the film seems to answer that question "is it better to be popular or well liked?" As this film shows, being well liked, or loved, in this case, travels a lot deeper than popularity. I believe this is where Frazier draws his contentment and satisfaction. Frazier seems to relish the attention and enjoys talking about the 1971 "Fight of the Century", a fight he won by unanimous decision.
Marvis Frazier, who wears his love for his famous father on his sleeves, has become, in a sense, the defender and protector of his father's legacy. The bond between father and son is at the core of the film. A brief look back at Marvis Frazier's fight with Larry Holmes was somewhat emotional and we see Joe's pain, immediately after the fight. Both Frazier's have continually given back to the community both in the rural south where Joe was born and in Philadelphia where he lives today. In the south he is remembered as a local boy made good who has never forgotten where he came from and in Philadelphia, a town known for the ferocious gym wars and tough fighters, where he is heralded as the epitome of a "Philly Fighter". There are a couple of other clips, including Ali vs Frazier I and Frazier vs Foreman I, but the film focuses more on the Joe Frazier of today. This is the story that is being told
Growing up in the South, and later Philadelphia, Frazier experienced the full gamut of the black experience in America, contrary to the way he was portrayed by Muhammad Ali during their well covered rivalry. Joe, a proud man and more importantly, a proud black man has stayed close to his roots; family, friends and community. He has done so as the owner and operator of the Joe Frazier Gym, along with his son Marvis. Much of this documentary was filmed in the gym. Sadly, the gym was closed earlier this year for financial reasons. Still, that doesn't take away from what Frazier has accomplished over the years, nor can we ever count the number of young men that have been helped along the way, whether they became fighters or just good citizens.
There are some scenes in the film where an elderly Frazier is seen working the bag and shadowboxing in the ring. If you look closely, into his eyes, you can still see the fire burning inside. That wry smile and knowing look gives the impression that Muhammad Ali is still on the receiving end of his punches, thus the look of satisfaction on his face. I cannot say with 100% certainty, that Joe Frazier has exorcised the bitter memories of his rivalry with Ali, nor can I say that he has truly forgiven him for the cruel words that cut Joe deeply. All I can say for sure is, that Joe Frazier has learned to deal with it, and is living life "His Way" and on his terms.
If you are a fight fan, especially if you are a life long fan of Smokin' Joe Frazier, as I am, than you will be moved by this film, and in the long run, isn't that what art is all about?
Written and Directed by: Mike Todd
Produced by: Geseth Garcia, Mike Todd & Louise Rosen
Director of Photography: Quenell Jones
Narrated by: Marvis Frazier
Joe Frazier Film on Facebook
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Fight of the Century: Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier I
By Randy De La O
On March 8, 1971 the world would literally stop to watch these two men do battle. Not since the days leading up to World War II and the rematch between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling had the world given this much attention to a championship fight. Lines were drawn and sides were chosen. Ali was considered the “People’s Champion” and Frazier had been relegated by Ali as an “Uncle Tom”, though nothing could have been further from the truth.
I was a young teen when the fight took place, a junior in high school. I liked both Ali and Frazier but I honestly felt that “Smoking Joe” would win this fight. Frazier just had a way of plowing through his opponents and he owned what may be the greatest left hook in the business . I bet five bucks on Joe to win.
I will always have a special place in my heart for both Smoking Joe and Ali. We may never again see their like in the ring again doing battle against each other. In my lifetime, Frazier and Ali were the two greatest heavyweights on the planet. There have been no close seconds. This fight will always be the yardstick by which I measure every other heavyweight fight.
Over the years, Muhammad Ali has received the lion’s share of glory. He would also win the two rematches, including their final fight “The Thrilla in Manilla”, also one of boxing’s greatest heavyweight title fight. But on this night, when the world stood by with bated breath, it would be Joe Frazier that would emerge victorious. Forty years later, on this day, the glory belongs to Smoking Joe Frazier . He won the fight.
The fight was a close and exhausting battle for both fighters but it was the knockdown in the final round (the 15th) that clinched it for Joe. Joe’s famous left hook came through when he needed it most. As my father, the late great Andrew De La O liked to put it “Ali won two out of three but Joe got the knockdown”.
Their fights took a toll on both of them. They deserve to rest on their laurels. Where ever they are today I hope they know that boxing fans are eternally grateful for all that they gave whenever they stepped into the ring. Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali were giants!
By the way, the guy never paid the five bucks!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Smoking Joe Frazier
This is for Smoking Joe Frazier.
By Randy De La O
Over the next few years you ran up a string of victories against guys like Buster Mathis, Mexico’s Manuel Ramos and a second win against the Argentinian Bull, Oscar Bonavena. You beat one of my favorite fighters, not once but twice when you stopped West Coast favorite “Irish” Jerry Quarry in both fights. I admired the way you stayed out of the heavyweight tournament, content with the New York state version of the heavyweight title, knowing all along that your day was coming. You never doubted yourself.
Your time arrived when you faced the elimination Champ Jimmy Ellis at the Madison Square Garden on February 16, 1970, stopping him in the fifth at the Madison Square Garden. Now you were the undisputed champ. You earned that title the hard way. No one can say Joe Frazier was born with a silver spoon in his mouth!
Your next fight, a fifth round KO of the great Light heavyweight Champion, Bob Foster, sealed the deal and “The Fight of the Century” was set. I believe to this date it was the most anticipated fight of all time. I couldn’t wait.
I was still in high school when that fight took place. I have to be honest, I was as much a fan of Muhammad Ali as I was of Smoking Joe Frazier but I did know one thing. Smoking Joe was going to win this fight. I bet my weeks lunch money on you, five bucks. I knew that the man I saw beat ScrapIron did not know how to lose. Granted, Scrap Iron was no Ali but I knew that you had the right stuff inside you to find a way to win. You didn’t disappoint. You were great that night Joe, about as great as any heavyweight champ in history. I can’t imagine how you felt that night. Both of you made history that night, two legitimate undefeated heavyweight champions with a rightful claim to the title facing each other. You came through that night Joe. You had a heart the size of the moon and it didn’t let you down.. You were King of the world that night Joe! That bum I bet the five dollars with never did pay me but it didn’t matter, you gave me bragging rights too.
You never left anything in the ring Joe, your heart and your style didn’t permit it. You fought like a man Joe, no one can ever question that. Sometimes though, as they say, styles make fights and George Foreman had the right style, that’s life. We can’t always choose when we are going to lose but we can choose how we lose. That Smoking Joe heart kept you from staying on the canvas. When I look at the tapes of that fight I am always moved by your courage, and your big heart.. There was no quit in Joe Frazier. You faced him again a few years later. Not many would have faced Big George a second time.
You would meet Ali three times in total but it was the third fight, the “Thrilla in Manilla” that would once again cause the world to stand still and hold it’s breath while you and Ali would meet at the Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines, again making history in what many consider the greatest heavyweight fight in history.
You had a career to be proud of Joe and you gave fight fans like me a thrill that has lasted a lifetime. You always carried yourself with pride and distinction and made your family proud. I remember that era, possibly the greatest in heavyweight history and I remember Joe Frazier. You stood head and shoulders above the rest. You were one the fighters that inspired me to become a boxer.
Note: Joe Frazier will be at the Pechanga Resort and Casino, February 12, 2010, to meet and greet fight fans and sign autographs, Scheduled to fight the main event that night are Lightweights Tyrone Harris and Korean Ji-Hoon Kim. The fight will be shown on ESPN Friday Night Fights. For more on that fight and that night go here.
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