Former heavyweight champion, Joe Frazier passed yesterday, November 7, 2011 of liver cancer after being diagnosed just a few weeks ago. Joe Frazier who was known in the ring as Smokin’ Joe Frazier was most widely known for his fights against boxing legends such as George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, who he fought three times and took the Heavyweight champion title from once. One of the fighter’s most well remembered matches was the “Thrilla in Manilla” fight between he and Ali in the Philipines where it’s been said that the two almost fought to the death.
Smokin’ Joe was born the son of a sharecropper in South Carolina but eventually made his way to Philadelphia after forging a career in boxing, and was considered an adopted son of the city. Joe Frazier was also the only American boxer to win a Gold medal in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. The boxing heavyweight held the title of Heavyweight Champion from February 1970 to January 1973.
Boxing greats, athletes and fans took to social media to share their condolences with the Frazier family and offer their memories of Frazier. “The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration.. My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones” said Muhammad Ali in a statement he gave after the news of Frazier’s death. George Foreman tweeted last night “Good night Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend”. Floyd Money Mayweather even tweeted that his money team would like to pay for the champion’s funeral services, tweeting “My Condolences go out to the family of the late great Joe Frazier. #TheMoneyTeam will pay for his Funeral services.”
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