New York [RR] PHILADELPHIA– November 7, 2011 (WPVI) — Republic Reporters has learnt the former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier (Smoking Joe) who battle Mohammed Ali three epic fights, has lost his battle with liver cancer, his family tells Action News, Monday. Ex-heavy-weight champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier, who battled Mohammed Ali in three (3) epic Fights, died Monday, at age 67.
According to credible source, late Monday night, the family of Smokin’ Joe Frazier issued this statement: “We The Family of the 1964 Olympic Boxing Heavyweight Gold Medalist, Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame Member Smokin’ Joe Frazier, regrets to inform you of his passing. He transitioned from this life as “One of God’s Men,” on the eve of November 7, 2011, at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We thank you for your prayers for our Father and vast outpouring of love and support.
[PHOTO: Smokin' Joe Frazier, is dead]
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Respectfully, we request time to grieve privately as a family. Our father’s home going celebration will be announced as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.”
Recently, the 67-year-old boxer has been in hospice care.
Leslie Wolff, who has been the fighter’s manager for seven years, said Frazier has been flooded with get-well messages from former boxers and fans.
“There is evidence that there are certain people that fight much harder than other people, and in doing so, they last longer,” Wolff said earlier Monday. “They have the heart of a champion. Joe ain’t no quitter. Even in this struggle, he’s showing people you don’t give up.”
Frazier was diagnosed last month with the disease. His manager said the boxer had been in out and out of the hospital since early October and has been receiving hospice treatment the last week.
The documentary “Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears” will be screened Tuesday night at the DocNYC festival in New York.
“No matter what happens, we must make sure his legacy stays alive,” Wolff said.
Frazier was the first man to beat Muhammad Ali, knocking him down and taking a decision in the so-called Fight of the Century in 1971. He would go on to lose two more fights to Ali, including the epic “Thrilla in Manila” bout.
Frazier won the heavyweight title in 1970 by stopping Jimmy Ellis in the fifth round of their fight at Madison Square Garden. He defended it successfully four times before George Foreman knocked him down six times in the first two rounds to take the title from him in 1973. Frazier would never be heavyweight champion again.
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