Wednesday, November 9, 2011

SMOKIN JOE FRAZIER LOSES LAST FIGHT

1944-2011

By Scary Barry Rodriguez     November 9, 2011

Former heavyweight boxing champion " Smokin " Joe Frazier passed away from liver cancer a couple of days ago. Joe who always stated that he had no " rabbit blood " didn't walk away from his battle with cancer but the dreaded " C " took him down at 67 years of age . The Scary one was in adulthood when Joe and Muhammad Ali had their historic fights unlike most of the youngsters who are writing about it this week. How could they possibly know the impact that Joe Frazier had during one of the golden ages of heavyweight boxing ?

Against the backdrop of the Vietnam war Muhammad Ali loses his belt following his Muslim beliefs and out of the chaos in the boxing world emerges the hard hitting Joe Frazier who reduced most of his opponents to heavy workout bags due to his vicious left hook. Joe and Muhammad Ali were complete contrasts. Ali was anti-establishment and just part of the many who felt at odds with the U.S. Government at this time.  Joe had no truck with politics. He was just a fighter, wading in with his peekaboo style of defense, looking to land his big left hook.

Joe Frazier was never the over the top celebrity that Muhammad Ali still is. Some say he lived under the shadow of Ali. I disagree. " Smokin " Joe was his own man and will go down as one of the great heavyweight champions of all time. His era was one when many other fighters had knockout power. There was 

Ken Norton, Ernie Shavers and others that always had a punchers chance every time they entered the ring. Blood was spilled in honest combat between just two opponents and the hype was not the story.

I have watched the famous " thrilla in Manilla " fight between Frazier and Ali many times on tape over the years.  It was an all out war. Neither fighter backed away during this unrelentingly brutal match. Afterwards both fighters had to be hospitalized. The verbal jabs Ali had directed towards Frazier meant that this contest had been personal besides the big purse ! That was Joe Frazier until  the day he died ! Just straight ahead , unapologetic, Joe was not looking to kiss anybody's butt !

Joe Frazier will always stand out in contrast to today's celebrity seeking athletes who play the clown for the big payday. He was an honest , blue collar fighter, always giving it his all . Fans never felt they had been conned after watching him fight. The heavyweight boxing scene will never again know the likes of anyone such as " Smokin " Joe Frazier. He had the heart that is unmatched by anyone else !

Rest in peace Joe !

This article is dedicated to Joe's family and all the fighters that have the heart of a champion.





Courtesy of Scary Merlin Productions.  BarryRodriguez (c) 2011. All Rights Reserved.

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