Joseph William "Joe" Frazier, also known as "Smokin" Joe, is a renowned former Olympic and World Heavyweight boxing champion whose illustrious professional career spanned from 1965 to 1976, with a brief comeback in 1981.
Frazier's ascension to prominence began in the mid-1960s, as he successfully defeated a series of formidable opponents, including Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, and Jimmy Ellis, ultimately culminating in his emergence as the undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970.
In 1971, Frazier faced off against Muhammad Ali in the highly anticipated "Fight of the Century," a bout that showcased his formidable skills and cemented his status as a boxing legend. Two years later, however, Frazier suffered a devastating loss to George Foreman, relinquishing his title.
Undeterred, Frazier launched a comeback, securing victories over Joe Bugner and Jimmy Ellis, before suffering a rematch loss to Ali and ultimately losing his last world title challenge in 1975.
Frazier retired from professional boxing in 1976 following a second loss to Foreman, but made a brief comeback in 1981, fighting just once before retiring for good.
The International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) rates Frazier among the top ten greatest heavyweights of all time, and he is an inductee of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Frazier's unique fighting style, often likened to that of Henry Armstrong, relied heavily on bobbing, weaving, and relentless pressure to wear down his opponents. His signature punch, a powerful left hook, accounted for the majority of his knockouts.
In contrast to Ali's flashy, finesse-based approach, Frazier's rugged, aggressive style led some to characterize their bouts as the ultimate answer to the question: "What happens when a boxer meets a brawler?"
Since retiring from professional boxing, Frazier has made cameo appearances in several Hollywood films and two episodes of The Simpsons.
His son, Marvis, also pursued a career in boxing, training under Frazier's guidance, although he was unable to replicate his father's success.
Frazier continues to train fighters at his Philadelphia gym and has maintained a long-standing, often contentious relationship with Ali, marked by periods of reconciliation and public feuding.
