I love you, Smokin' Joe Frazier. RIP brother!

[Anonymous]

A farm boy born and bred in South Carolina - Smokin' Joe Frazier grew up to be one of the greatest fighters that the world has ever known.

I'll never forget cheering on Smokin' Joe in 1971 in his heavyweight championship of the world against Muhammad Ali as I was proned out in front of the family's RCA. It took Smokin' Joe a full 15 - but he finally sent Ali to the canvas. It was the best fight that I have witnessed in my lifetime. It took Smokin' Joe a full 15 - but he delivered.

Smokin' Joe was a winner. He never took a dive. He didn't do dope. He wasn't a mafia man. He never did time in prison. And he wasn't a big carouser with the women. And Smokin' Joe always gave us 100% in the ring - win or lose.

In the twilight of his career Smokin' Joe fought George Foreman for the heavyweight crown. For those of you who can't remember Foreman - his arms were like a couple of sledgehammers. I saw him in person and the man was built like a brick shithouse. Foreman was a killing machine. Smokin' Joe was getting up in his years and Foreman ripped his face to shreds. At the end of the 14th round Smokin' Joe could barely see due to swelling around his eyes. He ordered his cut man to slice his eye. Just like Rocky Balboa did in his fight with Apollo Creed in Rocky I. Joe's manager stopped the fight. Smokin' Joe was on his feet in tears and went after Foreman anyway. He refused to quit. His people had to pull him back.

You taught me some big lessons in life, Smokin' Joe. You taught me to never give up and to fight through the pain. You taught me to be humble. You taught me to play by the rules.

May the good Lord bless you like the champion you are.

So long, Smokin' Joe.

http://espn.go.com/newyork/story/_/id/7206419/remembering-boxing-legend-joe-frazier-dead-67

 

[libluvsbukkake]

A farm boy born and bred in South Carolina - Smokin' Joe Frazier grew up to be one of the greatest fighters that the world has ever known.

I'll never forget cheering on Smokin' Joe in 1971 in his heavyweight championship of the world against Muhammad Ali as I was proned out in front of the family's RCA. It took Smokin' Joe a full 15 - but he finally sent Ali to the canvas. It was the best fight that I have witnessed in my lifetime. It took Smokin' Joe a full 15 - but he delivered.

Smokin' Joe was a winner. He never took a dive. He didn't do dope. He wasn't a mafia man. He never did time in prison. And he wasn't a big carouser with the women. And Smokin' Joe always gave us 100% in the ring - win or lose.

In the twilight of his career Smokin' Joe fought George Foreman for the heavyweight crown. For those of you who can't remember Foreman - his arms were like a couple of sledgehammers. I saw him in person and the man was built like a brick shithouse. Foreman was a killi
ng machine. Smokin' Joe was getting up in his years and Foreman ripped his face to shreds. At the end of the 14th round Smokin' Joe could barely see due to swelling around his eyes. He ordered his cut man to slice his eye. Just like Rocky Balboa did in his fight with Apollo Creed in Rocky I. Joe's manager stopped the fight. Smokin' Joe was on his feet in tears and went after Foreman anyway. He refused to quit. His people had to pull him back.

You taught me some big lessons in life, Smokin' Joe. You taught me to never give up and to fight through the pain. You taught me to be humble. You taught me to play by the rules.

May the good Lord bless you like the champion you are.

So long, Smokin' Joe.

http://espn.go.com/newyork/story/_/id/7206419/remembering-boxing-legend-joe-frazier-dead-67

A couple of factual corrections. The fight was one of the first big Pay per View events. It was not televised live. The Foreman fights, at least the first one, was soon after Ali I.

I will never forget how the black community threw him under the bus after Ali started calling him the "Great White Hope." he marched for civil rights and was totally shat upon. Joe was a great, great man.

 

[Anonymous]

A couple of factual corrections. The fight was one of the first big Pay per View events. It was not televised live. The Foreman fights, at least the first one, was soon after Ali I.

I will never forget how the black community threw him under the bus after Ali started calling him the "Great White Hope." he marched for civil rights and was totally shat upon. Joe was a great, great man.

Factual correction. Where did I say I watched it live? I watched the replay on TV.

But you are correct that Smokin' Joe Frazier was a great, great man. And one hell of a fighter with a massive heart.

God bless you, Smokin' Joe.

You were a huge plus for the human race.

 

[Anonymous]

A couple of factual corrections. The fight was one of the first big Pay per View events. It was not televised live. The Foreman fights, at least the first one, was soon after Ali I.

I will never forget how the black community threw him under the bus after Ali started calling him the "Great White Hope." he marched for civil rights and was totally shat upon. Joe was a great, great man.

Another factual correction.

When Smokin' Joe fought Foreman the 1st time in 1973 his record was 29-0.

When Smokin' Joe fought Foreman the 2nd time in 1976 his record was 32-2.

Smokin' Joe's final boxing record was 32-4-1.

Therefore, when Smokin' Joe fought Foreman he was in the twilight of his boxing career. Most of his boxing matches were behind him.

It was so cool when Smokin' Joe made a cameo appearance in Rocky I during the big match between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed. Remember?