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[Prickle]

LEGENDARY boxer Smokin' Joe Frazier died today after losing his battle with liver cancer, his family confirmed.

"He transitioned from this life as 'One of God's Men' on the eve of November 7, 2011 at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," his family told WPVI-TV.

"We thank you for your prayers for our father and vast outpouring of love and support.

"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."

It was revealed by the New York Post on Sunday that the former heavyweight champion known as Smokin' Joe, who gave the boxing world the "Thrilla in Manila" and many other classic memories, was deathly ill with advanced liver cancer after being diagnosed just weeks ago.

A fierce and smothering fighter with a devastating left hook, Frazier was also considered one of the great gentlemen of the sport outside of the ring.

His captivating bouts with Muhammad Ali put boxing in the spotlight for a new generation of fans. The "Thrilla in Manila", the third of their epic encounters, was one of the greatest fights of all.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/boxer-smokin-joe-frazier-dies/story-e6frea73-1226188901428

[PILLS]

  R.I.P BIGFELLA 

[angry]

RIP . a Legend, arguably one of the greatest heavyweights of all times, one of the few that gave Ali a run for his money.

[SirCumference]

A gentleman....wouldnt hurt for a few modern boxers to look at him as a role model.... awesome left hook. Rest in peace Smokin Joe.

[greenkma.]

From that...

R.I.P. JOE FRAZIER
By Joseph Bagnato: How you shut up the worlds biggest talker, break his jaw. Joe Frazier lost his brave fight with liver cancer november 8th 2011. Rest in Peace, set the boxing world a blaze, where theres smoke there is fire, and you were always smoking. Truly an inspiration, a punchers chance personified. Win or Lose every opponent got a taste of that big left, leaving manny of your opponent's faces covered in stretch marks from that left hook from hell. A true warrior, an elite fighter, a skilled tactician, an athlete of the highest caliber, a hero, and a beast. One of the best heavyweights of all time period. Would demolish most heavyweights and give any exceptions a run for there money despite fighting style. The world was blessed to bear witness to your craft, especially in regards to the epic battles in your war with Ali. Despite losing the trilogy you will forever have a part in history bearing it all in the intense third bout in Manilla under intense climate, you along with Ali absorbed more punishment than most could even endure to watch. A true man, it is a tragedy to say goodbye at the young age of 67. One of Phillies finest. You leave behind you a world that you had stand still when you dropped Ali when no one else had, a legacy carved in stone, and a record and old videos that are a test to your greatness.


Article posted on 08.11.2011

[greenkma.]

To this...



Joe Frazier: Why Tears Are Not Enough
by John Wight: There has been something inherently nauseating about the outpouring of tribute that has taken place in response to the death of Joe Frazier over the past few days.

A who’s who of boxing has taken to the airwaves, twitter, the sports pages, websites and television channels to air their profound sadness over the loss of such a great fighter, legend of the ring, and all the rest. Men whose bank accounts are verily bursting at the seams - current and former champions, promoters and others who’ve made their fortune out of the sport – have outdone themselves in proffering words of tribute, admiration and sadness over his death.

The truth is that while he was alive, Joe Frazier was treated disgracefully by the sport he loved and represented with such dignity and courage throughout his life. But the fact that at the end of that life he was reduced to sleeping in a small room above a rundown gym in the heart of a rundown section of Philadelphia stands as an indictment of the sport and all those boxing multimillionaires who’ve come out upon his death to say the right things.

Where were they when the man was struggling to make ends meet? Where was their admiration and concern then? Where is the fund for ex-champions who fall on hard times? Where is the healthcare and pension plan set up on behalf of these guys, warriors who carry with them the physical effects of years in the ring giving everything and taking the risks involved?

It has emerged that Frazier only realised he had cancer when it was too late to be treated. If he’d had decent healthcare coverage and the luxury of regular health checks, there is little doubt that it would have been detected at an early stage and that he may have survived.

The brutal truth is that Joe Frazier was allowed to wither on the vine, reduced to living like a bum above a gym. Yes, the man made some bad business and financial decisions after he retired from the sport. But is that any reason to let him suffer as he did?

Joe Frazier’s death, and the poverty and straitened circumstances of his later years, should give professional boxing a wake-up call. It is high time that it stops devouring its own. The accolades and plaudits which the sport’s champions and top contenders receive in their prime is all well and good. However, it is when their careers end and they are no longer fit for purpose as fighters that boxing’s dark underbelly is exposed.

Joe Frazier was a great champion. But he was also a human being. When he required more than a pat on the back or memories to live on the sport turned its back on him.

More than any other, this is the abiding tragedy of his life and passing.

Article posted on 09.11.2011

[IMBACK]

RIFP

[greenkma.]

[A]

I had a lot more respect for Smokin Joe than Ali. Mouthy cunt thought he was fucken white