The passing of a legend

by Ben Bailey

Joe Frazier's final battle was one that even his vaunted left hook could not help him win.

The champ’s death from liver cancer at 67 brings to an end the life of one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

An Olympic gold medalist, undisputed heavyweight champion, and with a record of 32 wins four defeats and one draw with 27 knockouts, 'Smokin' Joe accomplished everything possible inside the squared circle.

His entire career and indeed life were filled with adversity that he overcame through sheer force of will and an indomitable spirit that could not be broken.

He created one of the greatest sporting rivalries of all time that yielded three titanic battles and subsequently created sporting immortality for himself and Muhammad Ali.

Routes

Born into the impoverished American south in 1944, Frazier, with aspirations to become the next Joe Louis, began boxing by constructing a makeshift punch bag filled with leaves, rags, bricks and anything else he could find on the farm were he lived.

A childhood accident involving the family's hog left his left arm permanently damaged and Frazier was unable to ever straighten the arm fully. 

In 1964 at the Tokyo Olympics, boxing as a replacement and with a broken thumb, he won heavyweight gold by outpointing German Hans Huber.

Turning professional the next year under the tutelage of trainers Yank Durham and Eddie Futch, Frazier's progress was rapid and in 1968 he won a version of the heavyweight title by knocking out the much larger Buster Mathis, the man he had replaced in the Olympics.

Becoming undisputed champion in 1970 when knocking out Jimmy Ellis, Frazier and Ali were matched in 1971 in 'The Fight of the Century'.

Impact

Against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the changing social consciousness of the American public, the fight became more then a sporting event between two undefeated athletes at the peak of their prowess.

Ali portrayed himself as a champion of the people who was standing up for freedom and liberty. While his taunts of 'uncle tom' led to Frazier being disparaged and vilified.

There was a genuine seething animosity from Frazier, as during Ali's boxing exile, he had campaigned for Ali to be reinstated, as they had been friends. 

The bout was Frazier's finest hour; he won a punishing 15 round decision after dropping Ali in the last round with one of the most iconic left hooks ever thrown.

Frazier was never again the same fighter. He was knocked out by George Foreman in 1973 losing his title and undefeated record. 

After losing the rematch to Ali in 1974, Frazier and Ali met for the final time in 1975 in what was billed as 'the thrilla in Manila'.

Contest

The fight was one of the most brutal heavyweight championship bouts of all time. Ali described it as: "The closest thing to death I know of."

In a back and forth contest, Ali finally prevailed when Frazier was retired on his stool after the 14 round by trainer Futch who told him: “Sit down son. No one will forget what you’ve done here today.”

Astonishingly, Frazier had fought his entire career nearly blind in his right eye, information that only Futch was knew. 

With Frazier's left eye closed due to swelling, he was willing to go into the final round virtually blind, risking his life for the sake of victory.

In later life Frazier generally remained bitter and resentful towards Ali, never fully being able to let go the pain and suffering Ali caused, but Frazier needed Ali to be great and vice versa. 

They managed to bring out the best and worst characteristics of one another and they will be forever linked by history.

In the ring Frazier was relentless. A source of per perpetual motion constantly moving forward bobbing and weaving underneath his larger opponents punches, never letting up and was always willing to take punches in order to land his own.

His physical disadvantages were negated by his heart, power and determination. His left hook was his most potent weapon and is widely regarded as one of the best of all time.

He was a part of heavyweight boxing's 'golden age' where the strength and depth of the division was unprecedented. 

Fame

At his peak he contested bouts that were viewed by millions and was one of the most famous sportsmen on the planet.

He is viewed by his peers as one of the toughest fighters to ever lace them up.

Frazier was always overshadowed by Ali's charisma and appeal but his own legacy is secure.

Elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, nine successful title defenses, and possessed of one of the greatest left hands in boxing history.

The fact that he achieved so much when there were so many obstacles in front of him makes them all the more remarkable.

Blind in one eye, a disabled arm, and his short stature and reach (5'11 and 185 cm), Frazier was able to conquer the heavyweight division and transcend the sport.

In the ring, he epitomised everything that is great about boxing.

Courage, excitement and artistry, Philadelphia’s favorite son will never be forgotten.