Smokin' Joe

November 7 saw the passing of a legend of boxing.  Joe Frazier lost his battle with cancer but will forever be remember as an undisputed world champion and Olympic champion winning gold in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.

Frazier fought 37 fights for 32 wins and 27 by knock-out in his professional carer.  He was to became the undisputed champion in 1970 and will always be remembered for his battles with Ali.  His fights with Ali started with the famous "Fight of the Century" at Madison Square Gardens at a time when both fighters were undefeated.  Frazier would go on to win the fight and forever be known as the first man to inflict defeat upon Ali in a professional fight.  These two would fight two more times culminating in the "Thriller in Manilla" of which Ali won both.

Fight of the Century

Frazier who lost his title in 1973 to George Foreman never reached the lofty heights again but will always be remembered as one of the top 10 heavyweights of all time.  It is always sad when a great sportsman is lost but I find it is a time to go back and reflect on their career highlights and be re-amazed at the levels at which they reached.  Frazier was in the sport when the greatest names of boxing were around and might be a heyday the sport never sees again.