Joe Frazier

Boxing

Local

Considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time

Nicknamed “Smokin’ Joe” because of his chugging locomotive style in pursuit of his opponents

Known as a relentless fighter who inflicted tremendous punishment with an assault of both lefts and rights

Possessed an especially lethal left hook which he delivered during his bob and weave attack

Olympic Gold Medalist in Boxing-Heavyweight division at the Tokyo Games (1964)

Career professional record of 32-4-1 with 27 wins by KO in 37 total bouts

Won the NYSAC Heavyweight title by beating Buster Mathis by TKO in the 11th Round (3/4/68)

4 successful defenses of the NYSAC title until the organization became part of the WBC

• Manuel Ramos by TKO in the 2nd Round (6/24/68)
• Oscar Bonavena by unanimous decision (12/10/68)
• Dave Zyglewicz by KO in the 1st Round (4/22/69)
• Jerry Quarry by TKO in the 7th Round (6/23/69)

Won the WBA and vacant WBC Heavyweight titles with a win over Jimmy Ellis by TKO in the 5th Round (2/16/70)

4 successful defenses of his WBA and WBC titles

• Bob Foster by KO in the 2nd Round (11/18/70)
• Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision in “The Fight of the Century” (3/8/71)
• Terry Daniels by TKO in the 4th Round (1/15/72)
• Ron Stander by TKO in the 5th Round (5/25/72)

Lost his WBA and WBC title to George Foreman by TKO in the 2nd Round (1/22/73)

Closed his career with three other title fights

• Lost to Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision for the NABF title (1/28/74)
• Lost to Muhammad Ali by TKO in the 14th Round for the WBA and WBC titles in a bout termed “The Thrilla in Manilla” (10/1/75)
• Lost to George Foreman by TKO in the 5th Round for the NABF title (6/15/76)

4 times took part in Ring Magazine Fight of the Year (winners listed first)

• Frazier vs. Quarry (6/23/69)
• Frazier vs. Ali I (3/8/71)
• Foreman vs. Frazier (1/22/73)
• Ali vs. Frazier III (10/1/75)

Named Ring Magazine Progress of the Year fighter (1966)

3 time Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year (1967, 1970, 1971)

NYSAC Heavyweight Champion (3/4/68 – 2/16/70)

WBA Heavyweight Champion (2/16/70 – 1/22/73)

WBC Heavyweight Champion (2/16/70 – 1/22/73)

2 time John Wanamaker Award recipient as Philadelphia Athlete of the Year (1968, 1971)

First American heavyweight boxer to win both Olympic gold and a professional world title

Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame

Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (1990)