Remembering Joe Frazier - The Week: "
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He was so much more than Ali's foil: Yes, Frazier was best known for his rivalry with Ali, and their "famous trilogy" of fights, says Dan Rafael at ESPN.com. But Frazier "was a great fighter in his own right, a former heavyweight champion of the world, a 1964 Olympic gold medalist, and a worthy member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame." While Ali was the fighter who emerged victorious in their "storied rivalry," it was Frazier who won the first match with a decisive left hook in the 15th round. And remember, Frazier lost to only two men in his entire career: Ali and George Foreman.
"Frazier was far more than just Ali foil"
Frazier was actually better than Ali: "For all the deserved accolades for Muhammad Ali," the truth is, Frazier "was the better fighter," says Dave Anderson at The New York Times. Yes, Ali won the decisivie "Thrilla in Manila," but only because Frazier, his eye swollen shut, was prevented by his trainer from going in for the 15th round. And out of the ring, Frazier was "the better man." He was always a class act, whether he was buying land for his mother or making peace with Ali. The same cannot be said for Ali, who routinely insulted Frazier over the years, calling him a "gorilla" and "stupid."
Joe Frazier is directed to the ropes by referee Arthur Marcante after knocking down Muhammad Ali in the 15th round at Madison Square Garden in 1971. Photograph: AP
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He was so much more than Ali's foil: Yes, Frazier was best known for his rivalry with Ali, and their "famous trilogy" of fights, says Dan Rafael at ESPN.com. But Frazier "was a great fighter in his own right, a former heavyweight champion of the world, a 1964 Olympic gold medalist, and a worthy member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame." While Ali was the fighter who emerged victorious in their "storied rivalry," it was Frazier who won the first match with a decisive left hook in the 15th round. And remember, Frazier lost to only two men in his entire career: Ali and George Foreman.
"Frazier was far more than just Ali foil"
Frazier was actually better than Ali: "For all the deserved accolades for Muhammad Ali," the truth is, Frazier "was the better fighter," says Dave Anderson at The New York Times. Yes, Ali won the decisivie "Thrilla in Manila," but only because Frazier, his eye swollen shut, was prevented by his trainer from going in for the 15th round. And out of the ring, Frazier was "the better man." He was always a class act, whether he was buying land for his mother or making peace with Ali. The same cannot be said for Ali, who routinely insulted Frazier over the years, calling him a "gorilla" and "stupid."
Joe Frazier is directed to the ropes by referee Arthur Marcante after knocking down Muhammad Ali in the 15th round at Madison Square Garden in 1971. Photograph: AP
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