(1944)

World champion heavyweight for almost five years (between 1968 and 1973), the one we nicknamed Smokin 'Joe symbolized the gift of self between the strings of a ring. Tenacity that allowed the American to compensate a priori physical enough to fight in the premier class. Muhammad Ali and George Foreman were his only two winners, but it was the first to break the Greatest.
Smokin 'Joe, Joe the Tank Engine. Everything is said in that nickname. That of a boxer that nothing meant to be champion. But courage and a willingness based on all tests, Joe Frazier won the world title fight battles of anthology which allowed to enter the pantheon of trucks.
Joseph William Frazier was born January 21, 1944 on a farm in Beaufort, South Carolina. It is the eleventh of twelve children of Dolly and Rubin, a tenant who receives quickly using his son, aged seven, on the farm. Because Joe does not like school. It is a precocious child, married at age 15, who decided to settle with his older brothers in Philadelphia. Used in a slaughterhouse, he worked his hitting hooks

on pieces of meat. Frazier boxing just discovered by accident by entering a gym to lose weight. He is 17 years and father of two children, his eldest daughter Jacqui and Marvis that will take over later in the ring. Yank Durham sees in him a talent. The coach convinced him to start an amateur career. Before long, his pupil is one of the best American heavyweights. Yet in qualifying for the Olympic Games of 1964, he bows to Buster Mathis. But, if wounded, it must decline the selection. Frazier was named to replace him in Tokyo. In the final, he defeated the German Hans Huber and won the gold despite a broken thumb.

He turned professional the following year, even though his left eye is affected by a cataract. Managed by a syndicate of businessmen white Cloverlay called, he began August 15, 1965. Although people think too small (1.82 m) for a career in heavy Frazier displays a record of 11 wins by knockout in one year. He signed his first stunt against Oscar Bonavena in September 1966 at Madison Square Garden. The Argentinian sent twice to the canvas. But with courage and determination that marked his career, it is necessary at the end of ten times. Eddie Machen (10th stop), Doug Jones (KO 5th) and George Chuvalo (4th stop) then become part of its victims. His technique is rudimentary, but it transpires from his arched silhouette enormous power.
He completed the year 1967 with a record of 19 wins (17 KOs) and challenger is now global. The cancellation of Muhammad Ali, for his refusal to fight in Vietnam, forcing the NYSAC (New York commission) to organize his succession by pitting the two former rivals fans, Frazier Mathis (his only winner on two occasions during his 40 amateur fights), March 4, 1968 for the inauguration of the new Garden. This time, Joe shows the strongest, despite his physical deficits, and forced Arthur Mercante to stop his opponent in the 11th round. Four other states recognize this victory, but he must defeat the WBA champion Jimmy Ellis (aban. 5th) to unify the title, February 16, 1970.

A man is then challenged its superiority. Muhammad Ali is back in the ring after three years of absence. The authorities granted him a license and, without knowing even kick off a trilogy that mark in history. The first act takes place March 8, 1971 at the Garden. Three hundred million viewers are glued to their screens. Ali sends the champion to the canvas in the 15th and last round of his famous left hook and binding on the points. Ali wants his revenge, he must wait. For a third Olympic champion enters the race for world title. George Foreman is undefeated after 37 hits, including 30 in the first recovery ... Joe Frazier can not escape the power of the phenomenon. On January 22, 1973 in Kingston (Jamaica), sends Foreman to the canvas six times before Arthur Mercante put an end to his ordeal after 1'35''in the second round. For Joe, this defeat was a humiliation. He intends to avenge the insult in revenge against Ali. On January 28, 1974 Garden of the ring, Joe goes to the second floor in the back and lost on points. The winner earns the right to face Foreman.
Ali then made his finest achievement in dethroning the champion in Kinshasa, Don King does not miss the opportunity to oppose a third time to Frazier "Thrilla in Manilla" in the Philippines. A memorable evening when Ali said "seeing death." Smokin 'Joe forces him to push the limits of suffering. But he remains in his corner at the call of the 15th recovery orders to his coach Eddie Futch, "Stay seated, no one will forget you were in the ring tonight." Two hours after the fight Ali leaves his locker room, not heavy. "It's over between Joe and me. We settled our accounts. "Agrees George Foreman to regain his Frazier. For five rounds and a new ordeal endured by Joe. On the evening of June 15, 1976, he announced the end of his career. His comeback attempt late 1981 during a draw against Floyd Cummings, did not encourage them to continue. At 37, Joe finally hangs up after delivering 37 fights (32 wins including 27 before the limit, 1 draw and 4 losses). Become a legend, he died at age 67, victim of liver cancer.