Ali mourns fearsome old foe Frazier as the ring loses a 'great champion' in Smokin' Joe

By Jeff Powell

Last updated at 10:39 PM on 8th November 2011


Link to Story: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2059197/Joe-Frazier-Muhammad-Ali-mourns-old-foe.html?ito=feeds-newsxml



Muhammad Ali has led the tributes to Joe Frazier following his death from liver cancer aged 67.

Ali, who had three memorable fights against Frazier in the 1970s, losing one and winning the other two, said: 'The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration. My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.'

Frazier became world champion in 1970 after Ali had been stripped of his titles for refusing to fight in Vietnam.

The moment Smokin Joe floored the Greatest: Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali in the bout dubbed 'The Fight of the Century' in New York in March 1971

Ali tried to reclaim his belts but Frazier won their much-hyped clash in 1971. It was Ali's first loss as a professional, but a defeat he avenged.

They met twice more, with Ali winning both, including the epic 'Thrilla in Manila' in 1975.

George Foreman, who won both his bouts with Frazier, said: 'He was a wonderful man and a wonderful friend. Muhammad Ali and George Foreman were big guys but when we went in the ring with Joe Frazier, we had to have respect. I hoped I never had to fight him. He wouldn't back down. If you hit him, he liked it.'

Tribute: An old photograph and flowers have been placed at a makeshift memorial at the former location of Joe Frazier's gym in Philadelphia

Joe Bugner, who lost to Frazier five months after being beaten by Ali in 1973, told BBC 5 Live: 'Joe Frazier was relentless. Here was a man about 5ft 10in, he weighed about a stone lighter than me, but he was so courageous and ferocious.'

Don King, who promoted the 'Thrilla in Manila', said: 'Smokin' Joe Frazier was the embodiment of what a great heavyweight champion and person should be. He was a gladiator. The courage he showed in Manila - answering every Ali onslaught with an equally withering response - will remain in the hearts and minds of boxing fans forever.'

Ring warrior: Frazier was best known for his trilogy of fights against Ali

Former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson said: 'Frazier and Ali were the apex of pedigree fighting in which each man would not give an inch until they were dead. As a young fighter it was an honour to be compared to Frazier.'

Joe Frazier 1944-2011: One of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all

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Yesterday I received confirmation just hours after asking God to help me understand my situation.  To be honest I was asking God to help me understand something I already knew.   Having been single for almost 3 years, I realize that this time alone is probably one of the most significant periods for my spiritual growth.  During this period I was able to grow and develop an intimate relationship with God while grown in other areas of my life as well.  

Today I realized (deep down I already knew) that some of the people in my life are not meant to be in my life in the manner they are.  I realize its okay for me to want more in man.  There is nothing wrong with wanting him to be the man.  I love helping others and often times find it hard to say no but sometime my giving can hurt others.  If I am constantly giving to him, what incentive does he have to get it on his own? As my friend explained to me, maybe God is bringing him to that point where he'll have to act in order to move to the next level.   I cannot interfere in that.  

So ultimately that puts me on a journey of falling back and simply being a lady.  As women we may have it all together (the job, the house, the car, etc.) but I realize while we may want to give and support we have to be careful in the manner in which we do that.  If our actions prohibit men from truly being men then we have to fall back.   I realize that many will not understand this and simply do not agree but this what I feel and believe it applies to me and my situation.  So now I'm beginning anew.  Bishop Bronner preached Sunday that we should invest in our faith, family, finances, and our future.  That is exactly what I intend to do and along the way God will send the one he created just for me.  

Here's to my investment...