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{{Short description|American boxer (1944–2011)}}
{{about|the boxer|other people}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name = Joe Frazier
| image = Joe Frazier studio portrait.jpg
| caption = Frazier in 1971
| realname = Joseph William Frazier
| nickname = Smokin' Joe
| height = 5 ft 11+1/2 in<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/measured-against-all-time-heavyweight-joe-frazier | title=Measured Against All Time - Heavyweight Joe Frazier | access-date=September 4, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/sports/joe-frazier-ex-heavyweight-champ-dies-at-67.html |first1=Richard |last1=Goldstein |date=November 7, 2011 |title=Joe Frazier, Ex-Heavyweight Champ, Dies at 67 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=May 26, 2013}}</ref>
| reach = 73+1/2 in<ref>{{cite web | url=https://muhammadali.odyssey.historyit.com/items/view/DigitalMuseum/10162/gallery | title=MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER "TALE OF THE TAPE" PRINT | access-date=September 4, 2025 }}</ref>
| weight = [[Heavyweight]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1944|1|12}}
| birth_place = [[Beaufort, South Carolina]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2011|11|7|1944|1|12}}
| death_place = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| resting_place = [[Ivy Hill Cemetery (Philadelphia)|Ivy Hill Cemetery]]
| style = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| total = 37
| wins = 32
| KO = 27
| losses = 4
| draws = 1
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport| Men's [[amateur boxing]] }}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalGold | [[1964 Summer Olympics|1964 Tokyo]] | [[Boxing at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Heavyweight|Heavyweight]]}}
}}

'''Joseph William Frazier''' (January 12, 1944{{spnd}}November 7, 2011) was an American [[professional boxer]] who competed from 1965 to 1981. Nicknamed "'''Smokin' Joe'''", he was known for his strength, durability, formidable left hand, and relentless [[pressure fighting]] style. In 1971, Frazier became the first boxer to defeat [[Muhammad Ali]]. He won a gold medal at the [[Boxing at the 1964 Summer Olympics|1964 Summer Olympics]] as an [[amateur boxing|amateur]], held the [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]] [[List of heavyweight boxing champions|heavyweight title]] from 1968 to 1973, and was the [[Undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed]] [[heavyweight]] champion from 1970 to 1973. 

Frazier emerged as the top contender in the late 1960s, becoming [[Undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed heavyweight champion]] in 1970. In 1971, he defeated Ali by unanimous decision in the highly anticipated [[Fight of the Century]]. Two years later, Frazier lost his title to [[George Foreman]]. Frazier's last world-title challenge came in 1975, when he was beaten by Ali in a brutal [[wikt:rubber match|rubber match]], the [[Thrilla in Manila]]. He retired in 1976 after a second loss to Foreman but made a comeback in 1981, before retiring for good with a record of 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. The International Boxing Research Organization rates Frazier among the ten greatest heavyweights of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibroresearch.com/?p=52 |title=Heavyweight |first1=Dan |last1=Cuoco |date=September 9, 2006 |publisher=ibroresearch.com |access-date=May 29, 2013 |archive-date=November 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110224950/http://www.ibroresearch.com/?p=52 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[The Ring (magazine)|''The Ring'']] magazine named him [[The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year|Fighter of the Year]] in 1967, 1970, and 1971, and the [[Boxing Writers Association of America]] (BWAA) named him [[Sugar Ray Robinson Award|Fighter of the Year]] in 1969, 1971, and 1975. In 1999, ''The Ring'' ranked him the eighth greatest heavyweight.<ref>''Ring Magazine'', 1999 Holiday Edition.</ref> He is an inductee of both the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]] and the World Boxing Hall of Fame, having been a part of the inaugural induction class of 1990 for the IBHF.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/04/07/Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-names-first-inductees/6244639460800/ |title=Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees |website=UPI}}</ref>

His style was often compared with that of [[Henry Armstrong]] and occasionally [[Rocky Marciano]] and was dependent on bobbing, weaving, and relentless pressure to wear down his opponents. His best-known punch was a powerful left [[hook (boxing)|hook]], which accounted for most of his knockouts. In his career, he lost to only two fighters, both former Olympic and world heavyweight champions: twice to Muhammad Ali and twice to George Foreman.

Frazier continued to train fighters in his gym in Philadelphia. His attitude towards Ali in later life was largely characterized by bitterness and contempt but was interspersed with brief reconciliations.

==Early life==
Frazier was born January 12, 1944,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2021/01/12/UPI-Almanac-for-Tuesday-Jan-12-2021/5231610417906/ |title=UPI Almanac for Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 |work=[[United Press International]] |date=January 12, 2021 |access-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129023331/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2021/01/12/UPI-Almanac-for-Tuesday-Jan-12-2021/5231610417906/ |url-status=live |quote=… champion heavyweight boxer Joe Frazier in 1944}}</ref> the twelfth child of Dolly Alston-Frazier and Rubin in [[Beaufort, South Carolina]]. He was raised in [[Laurel Bay, South Carolina]], a rural community in [[Beaufort County, South Carolina]].<ref name="Joe Frazier p. 1">[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 1.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/howard-111114/joe-frazier-defined-man-long-fought-ali |title=Joe Frazier defined himself early in life |publisher=[[ESPN]] |first1=Johnette |last1=Howard |year=2011 |access-date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> Frazier said that he was always close to his father, who carried him when he was a toddler "over the 10 acres of farmland" the Fraziers worked as [[sharecroppers]] "to the still where he made his bootleg corn liquor, and into town on Saturdays to buy the necessities that a family of 10 needed." He was affectionately called "Billie Boy".<ref name="Joe Frazier p. 1" />

Rubin Frazier had his left hand and part of his forearm amputated in a tractor accident the year that his son was born. Rubin Frazier and his wife, Dolly, had been in their car when their friend Arthur Smith, who was drunk, made a move for Dolly but was rebuffed. Stefan Gallucci, a local barkeep, recounted the experience. When the Fraziers drove away, Smith fired at them several times and hit Dolly in the foot and Rubin several times in his arm. Smith was convicted and sent to prison but did not stay long. Dolly said, "If you were a good workman, the white man took you out of jail and kept you busy on the farm."<ref name="Joe Frazier p. 2">[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 2.</ref>

Frazier's parents worked their farm with two mules: Buck and Jenny. The farmland was what country people called "white dirt, which is another way of saying it isn't worth a damn." They could not grow peas or corn on it, only cotton and watermelons.<ref name="Joe Frazier p. 2" />

===Introduction to boxing===
In the early 1950s, Frazier's father bought a black and white television, and the family and others nearby came to watch boxing matches on it. Frazier's mother sold drinks for a quarter as they watched boxers like [[Sugar Ray Robinson]], [[Rocky Marciano]], [[Willie Pep]], and [[Rocky Graziano]]. One night, Frazier's uncle, Israel, noticed his stocky build. "That boy there... that boy is gonna be another [[Joe Louis]]", he remarked. The words made an impression on Joe. His classmates at school would give him a sandwich or a quarter to walk with them at final bell so that bullies would not bother them. Frazier said, "Any 'scamboogah' [disrespectful, low-down and foul person] who got in my face would soon regret it; Billie Boy could kick anybody's ass." The day after his uncle's comment, Frazier filled an old burlap sack with rags, corncobs, a brick, and [[Spanish moss]]. He hung the makeshift heavybag from an oak tree in the backyard. "For the next 6, 7 years, damn near every day I'd hit that heavybag for an hour at a time. I'd wrap my hands with a necktie of my Daddy's, or a stocking of my Momma's or sister's, and get to it," he remarked.<ref>[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 9.</ref>

===Early work===
Not long after Frazier started working, his left arm was seriously injured while he was running from the family's 300-pound hog. One day, Frazier poked the hog with a stick and ran away. The gate to the pigpen was open, however, and the hog chased him. Frazier fell and hit his left arm on a brick. His arm was torn badly, but as the family could not afford a doctor, the arm had to heal on its own. He was never able to keep it fully straight again.<ref>[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 10.</ref>

When Frazier was 15 years old, he had been working on a farm for a family named Bellamy. They were both white men: Mac was younger and more easy-going, and Jim was rougher and somewhat backward. One day, a black kid about 12 years old accidentally damaged one of the Bellamys' tractors. Jim became so enraged he took off his belt and whipped the boy with his belt right there in the field. Frazier saw the event and went back to the packing house on the farm and told his black friends what he had seen. Soon, Jim saw Frazier and asked him why he told others what he had witnessed. Joe then told Bellamy he did not know what he was talking about. But Jim did not believe Frazier, and he told Frazier to get off the farm before he took off his belt again. Frazier told him to keep his pants up because he was not going to use his belt on him. Jim then analyzed Frazier for a bit and eventually said, "Go on, get the hell outta here." Joe knew from that moment it was time for him to leave Beaufort, and he could see only hard times and low rent for himself. Even his mother could see it. She told Frazier, "Son, if you can't get along with the white folks, then leave home because I don't want anything to happen to you."<ref>[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 19.</ref>

The train fare from Beaufort to the cities up north was costly, and the closest bus stop was in Charleston, {{convert|75|mi|km}} away. In 1958, a [[Greyhound Lines]] bus called "The Dog" by locals in Beaufort, made Beaufort a stop on its South Carolina route. Frazier had a brother, Tommy, in New York, and was told that he could stay with Tommy and his family. Frazier had to save up a bit before he could make the bus trip to New York and still have some money in his pocket, so he first went to work at the local [[Coca-Cola]] plant. Frazier recalled that the white guy would drive the truck and that he would do the real work stacking and unloading the crates. He worked with Coca-Cola until the government began building houses for the [[United States Marines|Marines]] stationed at [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island|Parris Island]], when he was hired on a work crew at Parris Island.

===Departure for Philadelphia===
Nine months eventually passed since he got the boot from the Bellamy farm. With no fanfare and no tearful goodbyes, Frazier packed quickly and got the first bus heading north, where he settled in [[Philadelphia]]. "I climbed on the Dog's back and rode through the night. It was 1959; I was 15 years old and I was on my own," he later said.<ref>[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 20.</ref>

==Career==
===Amateur boxing===
During Frazier's amateur career, he won Golden Gloves [[heavyweight]] championships in 1962, 1963, and 1964. His only loss in three years as an amateur was to [[Buster Mathis]].<ref name="Joe Frazier p. 30">[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 30.</ref> Mathis would prove to be Joe's biggest obstacle to making the 1964 U.S. Olympic boxing team. They met in the final of the U.S. Olympic trials at the New York World's Fair in the summer of 1964. Their fight was scheduled for three rounds and they fought with 10-oz gloves and with headgear, but the boxers who made it to Tokyo would wear no headgear and would wear 8-oz gloves. Frazier was eager to get back at Mathis for his only amateur loss and knocked out two opponents to get to the finals. However, once again when the dust settled, the judges had called it for Mathis, undeservedly Joe thought. "All that fat boy had done was run like a thief- hit me with a peck and backpedal like crazy," he would remark.<ref name="Joe Frazier p. 30" />

Mathis had worn his trunks very high so that when Frazier hit Mathis with legitimate body shots, the referee took a dim view of them. In the second round, the referee had gone so far as to penalize Joe two points for hitting below the belt. "In a three-round bout a man can't afford a points deduction like that," Frazier said. He then returned to [[Philadelphia]] and felt as low as he had ever been and even thought of giving up boxing. Duke Dugent and his trainer, Yank Durham, were able to talk him out of his doldrums and even suggested that Frazier make the trip to [[Tokyo]] as an alternate in case something happened to Mathis. Frazier agreed and was a workhorse there, sparring with any of the Olympic boxers who wanted some action. "[[Middleweight]], [[light heavyweight]], it didn't matter to me, I got in there and boxed all comers," he said. In contrast, Mathis was slacking off. In the morning, when the Olympic team would do their roadwork, Mathis would run a mile and start walking and say, "Go ahead, big Joe. I'll catch up."<ref name="Frazier, p. 31">[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 31.</ref>

Frazier's amateur record was 38–2.<ref name="Frazier, p. 31"/>

===1964 Summer Olympics===
{{Further|Boxing at the 1964 Summer Olympics}}
In 1964, heavyweight representative Buster Mathis qualified but was injured, and so Frazier was sent as a replacement. At the [[Boxing at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Heavyweight|heavyweight boxing event]], Frazier knocked out [[George Oywello]] of [[Uganda]] in the round of 16, then knocked out [[Athol McQueen]] of [[Australia]] 40 seconds into the quarter-finals. He was the only American boxer left at the semi-final stage, facing the 6'2", 214-lb [[Vadim Yemelyanov]] of the Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/fr/joe-frazier-1.html |title=Joe Frazier |access-date=November 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724001959/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/fr/joe-frazier-1.html |archive-date=July 24, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Joe Frazier holding the 1964 Summer Olympics gold medal.jpg|200px|thumb|alt=Frazier holding the 1964 Summer Olympics gold medal|Frazier holding the 1964 Summer Olympics gold medal]]
"My left hook was a heat-seeking missile, careening off his face and body time and again. Twice in the second round I knocked him to the canvas. But as I pounded away, I felt a jolt of pain shoot through my left arm. ''Oh damn, the thumb,''" Frazier said. He knew immediately the thumb of his left hand was damaged, but he was unsure as to the extent. "In the midst of the fight, with your adrenaline pumping, it's hard to gauge such things. My mind was on more important matters. Like how I was going to deal with Yemelyanov for the rest of the fight." The match ended when the Soviet's handlers threw in the towel at 1:49 in the second round, and the referee raised Frazier's injured hand in victory.

Now that Frazier was into the final, he mentioned his broken thumb to no one. He went back to his room and soaked his thumb in hot water and [[Epsom salts]]. "Pain or not, Joe Frazier of Beaufort, South Carolina, was going for gold," he proclaimed. He went on to fight German [[Hans Huber (boxer)|Hans Huber]], eight years his senior. Frazier was now used to fighting bigger guys, but not with a damaged left hand. When the opening bell sounded on fight night, Joe came out, started swinging punches, and threw his right hand more than usual that night. Every so often, he would use his left hook, but nothing landed with the kind of impact that he had managed in previous bouts. He won a 3–2 decision.<ref>[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 34.</ref>

===Professional career===
After Frazier won the only American 1964 Olympic boxing gold medal, his trainer Yancey "Yank" Durham helped put together Cloverlay, a group of local businessmen (including a young [[Larry Merchant]]) who invested in Frazier's professional career and allowed him to train full time. Durham was Frazier's chief trainer and manager until Durham's death in August 1973.

Frazier turned professional in 1965 by defeating Woody Goss by a technical knockout in the first round. He won three more fights that year, all by knockout and none going past the third round. Later that year, he was in a training accident that left him legally blind in his left eye.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thriller in Manila |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzyJPpIzQYQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625001154/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzyJPpIzQYQ |archive-date=June 25, 2014 |publisher=BBC Films |access-date=January 11, 2013}}</ref> During pre-fight physicals, after reading the eye chart with his right eye, when prompted to cover his other eye, Frazier switched hands but covered his left eye for a second time, and state athletic commission physicians seemed not to notice or act.<ref>[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 213</ref>

Frazier's second contest was of interest in that he was decked by Mike Bruce. Frazier took an "8" count by referee Bob Polis but rallied for a TKO over Bruce in the third round.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=16110&cat=boxer |title=Mike Bruce—Boxer |publisher=Boxrec.com |access-date=November 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104201900/http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=16110&cat=boxer |archive-date=January 4, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1966, as Frazier's career was taking off, Durham contacted [[Los Angeles]] trainer [[Eddie Futch]]. The two men had never met, but Durham had heard of Futch, who had a reputation as one of the most respected trainers in boxing. Frazier was sent to Los Angeles to train before Futch agreed to join Durham as an assistant trainer. With Futch's assistance, Durham arranged three fights in Los Angeles against journeyman Al Jones, veteran contender [[Eddie Machen]] and [[George Johnson (boxer)|George "Scrap Iron" Johnson]]. Frazier knocked out Jones and Machen but surprisingly went through 10 rounds with Scrap Iron Johnson to win a unanimous decision. Johnson had apparently bet all his purse that he would survive to the final bell, noted ''[[The Ring (magazine)|Ring Magazine]]'', and he somehow achieved it. However Johnson was known in the trade as "impossibly durable".

After the Johnson match, Futch became a full-fledged member of the Frazier camp as an assistant trainer and strategist, who advised Durham on matchmaking. It was Futch who suggested that Frazier boycott the 1967 [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] [[Heavyweight]] Elimination Tournament to find a successor to Muhammad Ali after the Heavyweight Champion was stripped of his title for refusing to be inducted into the military, although Frazier was the top-ranked contender at the time.

Futch proved invaluable to Frazier as an assistant trainer and helped modify his style. Under Futch's tutelage, Frazier adopted the bob-and-weave defensive style by making him more difficult for taller opponents to punch and giving Frazier more power with his own punches. Futch remained based in Los Angeles, where he worked as a supervisor with the [[US Postal Service]], and flew to Philadelphia to work with Frazier during the final preparations for all of his fights.

After Durham died of a stroke on August 30, 1973, Futch was asked to succeed him as Frazier's head trainer and manager. He was training the heavyweight contender [[Ken Norton]], who lost a rematch against Ali less than two weeks before Durham's death. Then, Norton's managers, Robert Biron and Aaron Rivkind, demanded that Futch choose to train either Frazier or Norton, with Futch choosing Frazier.

====Mid-to-late 1960s====
Now in his second year, in September 1966 and somewhat green, Frazier won a close decision over rugged contender [[Oscar Bonavena]], despite Bonavena flooring him twice in the second round. A third knockdown in that round would have ended the fight under the three knockdown rule. Frazier rallied and won a close split decision after 10 rounds. The Machen win followed that contest.

In 1967, Frazier stormed ahead winning all six of his fights, including a sixth-round knockout of [[Doug Jones (boxer)|Doug Jones]] and a brutal fourth round (TKO) of Canadian [[George Chuvalo]]. No boxer had ever stopped Chuvalo, but Frazier, despite the stoppage, was unable to floor Chuvalo, who would never be knocked down in his entire career despite fighting numerous top names.

By February 1967, Joe had scored 14 wins and his star was beginning to rise. This culminated with his first appearance on the cover of ''Ring Magazine''. That month, he met Ali, who had not yet been stripped of his title. Ali said that Joe would never stand a chance of "whipping" him even in his wildest dreams. Later that year, Muhammad Ali was stripped of his world heavyweight title because of his refusal to accept the [[military draft]] during the [[Vietnam War]].

To fill the vacancy, the [[New York State Athletic Commission]] held a bout between Frazier and [[Buster Mathis]], who were undefeated going into the match, with the winner to be recognized as "World Champion" by New York State. Although the fight was not recognized as a World Championship bout by some, Frazier won by a knockout in the 11th round and staked a claim to the Heavyweight Championship.

====Laying claims====
Frazier first defended his claim by beating hard-hitting prospect [[Manuel Ramos (boxer)|Manuel Ramos]] of [[Mexico]]. His victory came in only two rounds.

He closed 1968 by again beating [[Oscar Bonavena]] via a 15-round decision in a hard-fought rematch. Bonavena fought somewhat defensively and allowed himself to be often bulled to the ropes, which let Frazier build a wide points margin. ''Ring Magazine'' showed Bonavena afterwards with a gruesomely bruised face. It had been a punishing match.

In 1969, Frazier defended his NYSAC title in Texas and beat Dave Zyglewicz, who had lost only once in 29 fights, by a first-round knockout. Then, he beat [[Jerry Quarry]] in a seventh-round stoppage. The competitive, exciting match with Quarry was named ''[[The Ring (magazine)|Ring Magazine]]'' fight of the year in 1969. Frazier showed he could do a lot more than just slug by using his newly honed defensive skills to slip, bob, and weave a barrage of punches from Quarry despite Quarry's reputation as an excellent counter-punching heavyweight.

====World Championship win====
On February 16, 1970, Frazier faced [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] Champion [[Jimmy Ellis (boxer)|Jimmy Ellis]] at [[Madison Square Garden]]. Ellis had outpointed Jerry Quarry in the final bout of the WBA elimination tournament for Ali's vacated belt. Frazier had declined to participate in the WBA tournament to protest their decision to strip Ali. Ellis held impressive wins over Oscar Bonavena and [[Leotis Martin]], among others. Beforehand, Ali had announced his retirement and relinquished the Heavyweight title, allowing Ellis and Frazier to fight for the undisputed title, but both lacked any lineal claim. Frazier won by a technical knockout when Ellis's trainer [[Angelo Dundee]] would not let him come out for the fifth round following two fourth-round knockdowns, the first knockdowns of Ellis's career. Frazier's decisive win over Ellis was a frightening display of power and tenacity.

In his first title defense, Frazier traveled to Detroit to fight World [[Light Heavyweight]] Champion [[Bob Foster (boxer)|Bob Foster]], who would go on to set a record for the number of title defenses in the light-heavyweight division. Frazier (26–0) retained his title by twice flooring the hard-punching Foster in the second round. The second knockdown was delivered by a devastating left hook, and Foster could not beat the count. Then came what was hyped as the "[[Fight of the Century]]", his first fight with [[Muhammad Ali]], who had launched a comeback in 1970 after a three-year suspension from boxing. It would be the first meeting of two undefeated heavyweight champions (and the last until [[Mike Tyson]] [[Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks|faced]] [[Michael Spinks]] in 1988) since Ali (31–0) had not lost his title in the ring but been stripped because of his refusal to be conscripted into the armed forces. Some considered him to be the true champion, and the fight would crown the one true heavyweight champion.

====Fight of the Century: first fight versus Ali====
{{main|Fight of the Century}}
On March 8, 1971, at [[Madison Square Garden]], Frazier and Ali met in the first of their three bouts which was called the "Fight of the Century".<ref>{{cite news |title=The Great Fights: Ali vs. Frazier I |newspaper=[[Life Magazine]] |date=March 1, 1971 |url=http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/23032/the-great-fights-ali-vs-frazier-i |access-date=May 4, 2010 |archive-date=April 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416054651/http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/23032/the-great-fights-ali-vs-frazier-i |url-status=dead}}</ref> With an international television audience and an in-house audience that included singers and actors and with [[Burt Lancaster]] (who served as "color commentator" with the fight announcer, [[Don Dunphy]]), both undefeated heavyweights met in a media-frenzied atmosphere.

Several factors came together for Frazier in the fight. He was 27 and mentally and physically at his peak. Ali was 29 and coming back from a three-year absence.  He had had two good wins in his comeback, including a bruising, fifteen-round technical knockout win over [[Oscar Bonavena]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-frazier-the-peoples-champ/ |title=Joe Frazier: The people's champ |last=Rosen |first=James |date=November 9, 2011 |publisher=CBS News |access-date=October 9, 2012}}</ref>

Frazier and Futch noticed Ali's tendency to throw a right-hand uppercut from a straight standing position after dropping the hand in preparation to throw it with force. Futch instructed Frazier to watch Ali's right hand and, once Ali dropped it, to throw a left hook at the spot that they knew Ali's face would be a second later.

In a brutal and competitive contest, Frazier lost the first two rounds but was able to withstand Ali's combinations. Frazier was known to improve in middle rounds, which was the case with Ali. Frazier came on strong after the third round by landing hard shots to the body and powerful left hooks to the head.  Frazier won a 15-round unanimous decision, with scores of 9–6, 11–4, 8–6–1, and claimed the lineal title. Ali was taken to a hospital immediately after the fight to check that his severely-swollen right-side jaw was not actually broken. Frazier also spent time in hospital during the ensuing month, the exertions of the fight having been exacerbated by hypertension and a kidney infection.

Later that year, he fought a three-round exhibition against hard-hitting veteran contender [[Cleveland Williams]]. In 1972, Frazier successfully defended the title twice by knocking out Terry Daniels and [[Ron Stander]] in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively. Daniels had earlier drawn with Jerry Quarry and Stander had knocked out [[Earnie Shavers]].

====Title loss to George Foreman====
{{Main|Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman}}
Frazier lost his undefeated record of 29–0 and his world championship, at the hands of the unbeaten [[George Foreman]] on January 22, 1973, in [[Kingston, Jamaica]]. Despite Frazier being the overall favorite, Foreman towered 10&nbsp;cm (4 in.) over the more compact champion along with an 8 in. reach advantage and dominated from the start. Over the course of two rounds, Foreman managed to knock Frazier down six times en route to a technical knockout victory.

Frazier won his next fight, a 12-round decision over [[Joe Bugner]], in London to begin his quest to regain the title.

====Mid-1970s: second fight against Ali====
{{main|Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II}}
[[File:Ali vs frazier elgrafico.jpg|thumb|Promotional photo for the January 1974 [[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II]] fight at [[Madison Square Garden]]]]
Frazier's second fight against Ali took place on January 28, 1974, in New York City. In contrast to their previous meeting, the bout was a non-title fight, with Ali winning a 12-round unanimous decision. The fight was notable for the amount of [[grappling position|clinching]]. After the fight Tony Perez, when asked about the violation from Ali, he replied that the only violation is if you hold and hit at the same time, although Ali was holding Frazier but he was not hitting.

Five months later, Frazier again battled Jerry Quarry in Madison Square Garden by winning the fight in the fifth round with a strong left hook to the ribs.

In March 1975, Frazier fought a rematch with Jimmy Ellis in [[Melbourne]], Australia, and knocked him out in nine rounds. The win again established Frazier as the top heavyweight challenger for the title, which Ali had won from Foreman in the famous "[[The Rumble in the Jungle|Rumble in the Jungle]]" five months earlier.

====Thrilla in Manila: third Ali fight====
{{main|Thrilla in Manila}}
[[Muhammad Ali]] and Frazier met for the third and final time in Cubao, [[Quezon City]], which is a city within [[Metro Manila]], the [[Philippines]], on October 1, 1975. Prior to the fight, Ali took opportunities to mock Frazier by calling him a '"gorilla" and generally trying to irritate him.

The fight was a punishing display on both sides under oppressively-hot conditions. During the fight, Ali said to Frazier, "They said you were through, Joe." Frazier said, "They lied." Ali repeatedly held Frazier around the back of his neck with his right hand, a violation of the rules that went unpunished by the referee. After 14 grueling rounds, Ali returned to his corner demanding they cut his gloves and end the bout.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/sep/04/features.sport16 |title=The unforgiven |first=Thomas |last=Hauser |date=September 3, 2005 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> However, Dundee ignored Ali. This proved fortuitous, as across the ring, Futch stopped the fight out of concern for his charge. Frazier had a closed left eye, an almost-closed right eye, and a cut. Ali later said that it was the "closest thing to dying that I know of."<ref name="11/8/2011">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/7206261/joe-frazier-former-heavyweight-champion-dead-67 |title=Boxing legend Joe Frazier dies |date=November 8, 2011 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 29, 2013}}</ref>

In 1977, Ali told interviewer [[Reg Gutteridge]] that he felt this third Frazier fight was his best performance. When Gutteridge suggested his win over Cleveland Williams, Ali said, "No, Frazier's much tougher and rougher than Cleveland Williams."

====Second fight with Foreman====
In 1976, Frazier (32–3) fought George Foreman for a second time, shaving his head for the fight. Frazier was more restrained than usual and avoided walking into big shots like he had done in their first match. However, Foreman lobbed a tremendous left hook that lifted Frazier off his feet. After a second knockdown, the fight was stopped in the fifth round. Shortly after the fight, Frazier announced his retirement.

Frazier made a cameo appearance in the movie ''[[Rocky]]'' later in 1976 and dedicated himself to training local boxers in [[Philadelphia]], where he grew up, including some of his own children. He also helped train [[Duane Bobick]].

====1980s comeback and career as trainer====
In 1981, Frazier attempted a comeback. He drew over 10 rounds with hulking [[Floyd Cummings|Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings]] in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. It was a bruising battle with mixed reviews. He then retired for good.

Then, Frazier involved himself in various endeavors. Among his sons who turned to boxing as a career, Frazier helped train [[Marvis Frazier]], a challenger for [[Larry Holmes]]'s world heavyweight title. He also trained his daughter, [[Jacqui Frazier-Lyde]], who became a [[Women's International Boxing Association|WIBA]] world [[light-heavyweight]] champion whose most notable fight was a close majority decision points loss against [[Laila Ali]], the daughter of his rival.

Frazier's overall record was 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with 27 wins by knockout. He won 73% of his fights by knockout, compared to 60% for Ali and 84% for Foreman. He was a member of the [[International Boxing Hall Of Fame]].

In 1984, Frazier was the special referee for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] match between [[Ric Flair]] and [[Dusty Rhodes]] at Starrcade '84. He awarded the match to Flair because of Rhodes's excessive bleeding.

In 1986, Frazier appeared as the "cornerman" for [[Mr. T]] against [[Roddy Piper]] at [[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]] as part of [[WrestleMania 2]]. In 1989, Frazier joined Ali, Foreman, Norton, and Holmes for the tribute special ''Champions Forever''.

Frazier was inducted into the [[List of Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame Inductees|Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame]] in 1996.<ref name="Courier-Post Oct30_1996" >{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Frazier apologizes to Muhammad Ali |date=October 30, 1996 |work=Courier-Post |location=Camden, New Jersey, USA |volume=121 |number=276 |publisher=Gannett Group |page=5D |access-date=April 18, 2019 |language=en-US |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30719670/courierpost/ |via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref>

==Fighting style==
Frazier's style was dependent on bobbing, weaving, and relentless pressure to wear down his opponents. His best-known punch was a powerful left hook, which accounted for most of his knockouts. Frazier was able to seamlessly transition between different guards, but often used [[Crab Defense (boxing style)|crab style]] guards both on the outside and inside.<ref name="skills">{{Cite web|title=Joe Frazier Skills|date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=April 26, 2025|url=https://reemusboxing.com/joe-frazier-skills/}}</ref><ref name="shell">{{Cite web|title=Shell Game|access-date=April 26, 2025|url=https://boxraw.com/blogs/blog/the-shell-game}}</ref> Although Frazier was feared for his left hook, towards the end of his career he effectively incorporated his right hand to fool his opponents who were anticipating his left hook.<ref name="skills"/>

== Other work ==

===Media appearances===
Frazier appeared as himself in an episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''{{'}}, "[[Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?]]", in 1992, in which he was supposed to have been beaten up by [[Barney Gumble]] in [[Moe's Tavern]]. Frazier's son objected, so Frazier was instead shown beating up Gumble and putting him in a trash can. Frazier appeared in another episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' – "[[Homer's Paternity Coot]]" in 2006. He appeared on-screen in the 8th series of ''The Celebrity Apprentice'' (USA) television show as a guest-attendee at a Silent Auction event held for the season finale (won by [[Joan Rivers]]). Frazier appeared as himself in the [[Academy Award]]-winning 1976 movie, ''Rocky''. Since the debut of the Fight Night series of games made by [[EA Sports]], Frazier appeared in ''[[Fight Night 2004]]'', ''[[Fight Night Round 2]]'', ''[[Fight Night Round 3]]'', ''[[Fight Night Round 4]]'' and ''[[Fight Night Champion]]''.

===Books===

Frazier released his autobiography in March 1996, entitled ''Smokin' Joe: The Autobiography of a Heavyweight Champion of the World, Smokin' Joe Frazier''. Frazier promoted the book with a memorable appearance on ''[[The Howard Stern Show]]'' on January 23, 1996.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004939/ |title=Joe Frazier |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=May 29, 2013}}</ref>

He also wrote ''Box like the Pros'',<ref>{{cite book |title=Box like the Pros |author=Joe Frazier, William Dettloff |date=November 2005 |publisher=William Morrow Paperbacks |isbn=9780060817732}}</ref> "a complete introduction to the sport, including the game's history, rules of the ring, how fights are scored, how to spar, the basics of defence and offence, the fighter's workout, a directory of boxing gyms, and much more. Box Like the Pros is an instruction manual, a historical reference tool and an insider's guide to the world's most controversial sport."<ref>{{cite web |title=Box like the Pros |publisher=Harper Collins |url=https://www.harpercollins.com/9780060817732/box-like-the-pros}}</ref>

==Financial issues and legal battles==
[[File:Joe Frazier's Gym for Sale.jpg|thumb|[[Joe Frazier's Gym]], where Frazier trained and lived, at 2917 [[Broad Street (Philadelphia)|N. Broad Street]] in [[Philadelphia]]]]
According to an article from The ''[[New York Times]]'', "over the years, Frazier has lost a fortune through a combination of his own generosity and [[naïveté]], his carousing, and failed business opportunities. The other headliners from his fighting days—Ali, [[George Foreman]], and [[Larry Holmes]]—are millionaires." Asked about his situation, Frazier became playfully defensive, but would not reveal his financial status. "Are you asking me how much money I have?" he said. "I got plenty of money. I got a stack of $100 bills rolled up over there in the back of the room." Frazier blamed himself, partly, for not effectively promoting his own image. In a 2006 [[HBO]] documentary on the fight in Manila, Frazier was interviewed living in his one-room apartment on the second floor of his gym in [[Philadelphia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUQNKb_1xlc |title=HBO Thrilla In Manila Documentary |last=Rich Wharton |date=March 6, 2013 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Frazier also traveled the country with his marketing manager, [[Mercedes Ganon]], filming an independent documentary, and researching for a feature film on Frazier, which [[Penny Marshall]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ganon |first=Mercedes |title=How To Survive A Knockout |date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=Waterside Productions |isbn=978-1962984393 |location=United States |pages=110–120 |language=en}}</ref> was attached to direct and produce.

His daughter [[Jacqui Frazier-Lyde]] is a lawyer and worked on her father's behalf in pursuit of money they claimed he was owed in a Pennsylvania land deal. In 1973, Frazier purchased 140 acres in [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania]], for $843,000. Five years later, a developer agreed to buy the farmland for $1.8&nbsp;million. Frazier received annual payments from a trust that bought the land with money he had earned in the ring. However, when the trust went bankrupt, the payments ceased.

Frazier sued his business partners, insisting his signature had been forged on documents and he had no knowledge of the sale. In the ensuing years, the 140 acres was subdivided and turned into a residential community. The land is now worth an estimated $100&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxingmemories.com/2011/03/10/fire-still-burns-inside-smokin%E2%80%99-joe-frazier/ |title=Joe Frazier financial status |publisher=boxingmemories.com |access-date=November 3, 2011}}</ref>

==Relationship with Muhammad Ali==
Frazier and Ali were initially friends. During Ali's enforced three-year lay-off from boxing for refusing to be drafted into the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]], Frazier lent him money, testified before [[United States Congress|Congress]] and petitioned [[US President]] [[Richard Nixon]] to have Ali's right to box reinstated.<ref>Lotierzo Frank (April 14, 2009) [http://www.thesweetscience.com/columnists/david-a-avila/6723-ali-and-frazier-separated-by-three-measly-rounds Ali And Frazier, Separated By Three Measly Rounds]. Thesweetscience.com. Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref> Frazier supported Ali's right not to serve in the army: "If [[Baptists]] weren't allowed to fight, I wouldn't fight either."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourweeklyav.com/antelope-valley/ali-frazier-i |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140205205619/http://www.ourweeklyav.com/antelope-valley/ali-frazier-i |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2014 |title=Ali-Frazier I}}</ref>

However, in the build-up to their first fight, the [[Fight of the Century]], Ali turned it into a "cultural and political referendum" by painting himself as a revolutionary and civil rights champion and Frazier as the white man's hope. Ali called him an "[[Uncle Tom]]" and a pawn of the white establishment as Frazier called him Clay.<ref name="yahoo">Arkush, Michael. (October 31, 2007) [https://sports.yahoo.com/news/getting-ready-fight-century-224600491--box.html Getting ready for the "Fight of the Century"]. Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref><ref>Romano, Brittany. (November 7, 2011) [https://web.archive.org/web/20140222055840/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/richard_hoffer/11/07/joe.frazier/?xid=cnnbin Frazier's legacy, record would have been greater if not for Ali trilogy]. Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref> Ali successfully turned many black Americans against Frazier because Frazier never spoke out about race issues, and Ali could easily paint himself as hero to oppressed black people. [[Bryant Gumbel]] joined the pro-Ali anti-Frazier bandwagon by writing a major magazine article that asked, "Is Joe Frazier a white champion with black skin?" Frazier thought that was "a cynical attempt by Clay to make me feel isolated from my own people. He thought that would weaken me when it came time to face him in that ring. Well, he was wrong. It didn't weaken me, it awakened me to what a cheap-shot son of a bitch he was." Ali's camp also hurled many insults at Frazier, calling him an "ugly gorilla", though Ali had also compared other opponents to animals. He noted the hypocrisy of Ali calling him an Uncle Tom when his [Ali's] trainer ([[Angelo Dundee]]) was of Italian descent.<ref name="yahoo" /> When told by Michael Parkinson that Frazier was not an Uncle Tom, he responded by saying, "Then why does he insist on calling me Cassius Clay when even the worst of the white enemies recognize me as Muhammad Ali?"<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEtCq6X7fUI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/rEtCq6X7fUI |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |title=HBO Thrilla In Manila Documentary |date=February 27, 2015 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

As a result of Ali's campaign, Frazier's children were bullied at school, and his family was given police protection after receiving death threats.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3563084/Joe-Frazier-Still-Smokin-after-all-these-years.html Joe Frazier: Still Smokin' after all these years]. Telegraph.co.uk (November 11, 2008). Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref> Ali declared that if Frazier won, he would crawl across the ring and admit that Frazier was the greatest. After Frazier won by a unanimous decision, he called upon Ali to fulfill his promise and crawl across the ring, but Ali failed to do so.<ref>Gilmore, Mikal (November 2011) [http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/how-muhammad-ali-conquered-fear-and-changed-the-world-20130205?page=6 How Muhammad Ali Conquered Fear and Changed the World] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103015832/http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/how-muhammad-ali-conquered-fear-and-changed-the-world-20130205?page=6 |date=January 3, 2016}}. Mensjournal.com. Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref> Ali called it a "white man's decision" and insisted that he won.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19740129&id=vusgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CXIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1502,4250192 Opposites Attract]. News.google.com (January 29, 1974). Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref>

During a televised joint interview prior to their second bout in 1974, Ali continued to insult Frazier, who took exception to Ali calling him "ignorant" and challenged him to a fight, which resulted in both of them brawling on the studio floor.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/sep/04/features.sport162 |title=The Unforgiven|website=[[TheGuardian.com]] }}</ref> Ali went on to win the 12-round non-title affair by a decision. Ali took things further in the build-up to their last fight, the [[Thrilla in Manila]], and called Frazier "the other type of negro" and "ugly", "dumb", and a "gorilla"<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-thrilla-in-manila11-2009apr11,0,7941476.story#axzz2sHJPrdUZ 'Thrilla in Manila' on HBO]. Latimes.com (April 11, 2009). Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref> At one point he sparred with a man in a gorilla suit and pounded on a rubber gorilla doll, saying "This is Joe Frazier's conscience.... I keep it everywhere I go. This is the way he looks when you hit him."<ref name="sports.espn.go.com">[https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?id=2174061 Thrilla: An exhausting, excruciating epic]. Sports.espn.go.com (September 28, 2005). Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref> According to the fight's promoter, [[Don King (boxing promoter)|Don King]], that enraged Frazier, who took it as a "character assassination" and "personal invective."<ref name="sports.espn.go.com" /> One night before the fight, Ali waved around a toy pistol outside Frazier's hotel room. When Frazier came to the balcony, he pointed the gun at Frazier and yelled, "I am going to shoot you."<ref>[http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/marcos-used-thrilla-in-manila-fight-as-distraction-from-filipinos-plight Marcos used Thrilla in Manila fight as distraction from Filipinos' plight] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003061025/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/marcos-used-thrilla-in-manila-fight-as-distraction-from-filipinos-plight |date=October 3, 2016 }}. Interaksyon.com (November 10, 2011). Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref> After the fight, Ali summoned Frazier's son [[Marvis Frazier|Marvis]] into his dressing room, and told him that he had not meant what he had said about his father. When informed by Marvis, Frazier responded, "You ain't me, son. Why isn't he apologizing to me?"

In his 1996 autobiography ''Smokin' Joe: The Autobiography of a Heavyweight Champion of the World'', Frazier consistently refers to Muhammad Ali as "Cassius Clay" and never deviates from that convention unless the book directly quotes someone else.

For years afterwards, Frazier retained his bitterness towards Ali and suggested that Ali's battle with [[Parkinson's syndrome]] was a form of divine retribution for his earlier behavior. In 2001, Ali apologized to Frazier via a ''[[New York Times]]'' article: "In a way, Joe's right. I said a lot of things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn't have said. Called him names I shouldn't have called him. I apologize for that. I'm sorry. It was all meant to promote the fight."<ref>Sandomir, Richard (March 15, 2001) [https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/15/sports/boxing-no-floating-no-stinging-ali-extends-hand-to-frazier.html No Floating, No Stinging: Ali Extends Hand to Frazier]. New York Times. Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref>  Frazier reportedly "embraced it" but later retorted that Ali apologized only to a newspaper, not to him. He said, "I'm still waiting [for him] to say it to me." Ali responded, "If you see Frazier, you tell him he's still a gorilla."<ref>Sielski, Mike. [https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Frazier_Joe.html Frazier battled Ali in timeless trilogy]. Espn.go.com. Retrieved on August 6, 2014.</ref> Ali also said in an interview, "I wasn't going to get on my knees and crawl and beg him to forgive me."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/oprah-talks-to-muhammad-ali_1 |title=Oprah Talks to Muhammad Ali |website=Oprah.com}}</ref>

Frazier told ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' in May 2009 that he no longer held hard feelings for Ali.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.com/boxing/2009/04/22/frazier |title=Frazier gets his time to shine |access-date=May 27, 2009 |first1=Christopher |last1=Wink |publisher=SportsIllustrated.com |date=April 22, 2009}}</ref> After Frazier's death in November 2011, Ali was among those who attended the private funeral services for Frazier in Philadelphia. [[Jesse Jackson]], who spoke during the service, asked those in attendance to stand and "show your love" and reportedly Ali stood with the audience and clapped "vigorously".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/boxing/ali_attends_frazier_funeral_prl15CzYASZzi21Rv7zgUK |newspaper=[[New York Post]] |title=Ali Attends Frazier Funeral&#124;2011-11-14 |access-date=November 14, 2011 |first=Dan |last=Gelston |date=November 14, 2011}}</ref>

==Later life==
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| total_width       = 400
| image1            = Joe Frazier awarded the Order of the Palmetto.jpg
| image2            = Joe Frazier awarded by the Daily News.jpg
| caption1          = Frazier's speech when he was awarded the [[Order of the Palmetto]] in [[Beaufort, South Carolina]], in September 2010<ref>{{Cite news |title=Smokin' Joe to get SC award |author=AP South Carolina |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2010-09-27-2948316203_x.htm |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=September 27, 2010 |access-date=April 25, 2011 |author-link=Associated Press}}</ref>
| caption2          = ''[[New York Daily News]]'' editor-in-chief Kevin Convey (right) presented Frazier with the ''New York Daily News'' Front Page Award in 2011.
}}
Frazier lived and trained at 2917 [[Broad Street (Philadelphia)|N. Broad Street]] in [[Philadelphia]], where he owned and managed [[Joe Frazier's Gym]]. With the help of Peter Bouchard, Frazier formed the Smokin Joe Frazier Foundation, whose purpose was to give back to troubled and in-need youth. Bouchard volunteered to run the foundation for Frazier and attempted to get a bronze statue of Frazier erected in Philadelphia, but the city declined and opted for the ''[[Rocky Steps|Rocky statue]]'' instead. Once Frazier's health declined, the foundation was shelved. In mid-2009, Frazier sold the gymnasium on Broad Street.

He was diagnosed with [[diabetes]] and [[high blood pressure]]. He and his nemesis, [[Muhammad Ali]], alternated over the years between public apologies and public insults.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://static.espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Frazier |title=Joe.html}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> When Ali lit the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] flame in [[Atlanta]], Frazier told a reporter that he would like to throw Ali into the fire and felt that he should have been chosen to light the flame.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mallozzi |first=Vincent M. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/18/sports/othersports/18frazier.html |title=Fire Still Burns Inside Smokin' Joe Frazier |location=Philadelphia (Pa) |work=The New York Times |date=October 18, 2006 |access-date=November 12, 2011}}</ref> Frazier made millions of dollars in the 1970s, but the reported mismanagement of his real estate contributed to some financial difficulties.

The [[National Trust for Historic Preservation]] has named Joe Frazier's Gym in its 25th list of [[America's Most Endangered Places|America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2012-jun-11-la-na-frazier-gym-20120611-story.html |title=Fight is on to save Joe Frazier's gym in Philadelphia |author=Laura J. Nelson |date=June 11, 2012 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=June 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/8018148/national-trust-historic-preservation-names-joe-frazier-gym-philadelphia-list-america-11-most-endangered-historic-places |title=Joe Frazier gym on list |date=June 6, 2012 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 14, 2012}}</ref> In 2013, the gym was named to the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite news |title=JOE FRAZIER'S GYM IN PHILLY GETS HISTORIC STATUS |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/joe-fraziers-gym-philly-gets-historic-status |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617174207/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/joe-fraziers-gym-philly-gets-historic-status |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 17, 2013 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=April 30, 2013}}</ref>

Frazier continued to train young fighters, although he needed multiple operations for back injuries sustained in a car accident. He and Ali reportedly attempted a reconciliation in his final years. But in October 2006, Frazier still claimed to have won all three bouts between them. He declared to a ''New York Times'' reporter, when questioned about his bitterness toward Ali, "I am what I am."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Remnick |first=David |date=November 8, 2011 |title=Joe Frazier, R.I.P. |url=https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/joe-frazier-r-i-p |access-date=July 1, 2024 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref>

Frazier attempted to revive his music interests in late 2009. Notably popular for singing "[[Mustang Sally (song)|Mustang Sally]]", Frazier teamed up with Welsh Rock Solo artist [[Jayce Lewis]] to release his repertoire in the UK, later visiting the Welshman there to host a string of after-dinner speeches and music developments. It would notably be Frazier's last appearance there.<ref>Evans, Gareth (May 28, 2009). [http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/bridgend-maesteg/2009/05/28/boxing-legend-packs-a-punch-91466-23726311/ "Boxing legend Smoking Joe Frazier packs a punch"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603114839/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/bridgend-maesteg/2009/05/28/boxing-legend-packs-a-punch-91466-23726311/ |date=June 3, 2012}}. ''Glamorgan Gazette''</ref><ref>McCarthy, James (November 13, 2011). [http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/11/13/welsh-singer-jayce-lewis-tells-how-he-shared-a-love-of-the-blues-with-boxing-legend-joe-frazier-91466-29766226/ "Welsh singer Jayce Lewis tells how he shared a love of the blues with boxing legend Joe Frazier"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603114852/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/11/13/welsh-singer-jayce-lewis-tells-how-he-shared-a-love-of-the-blues-with-boxing-legend-joe-frazier-91466-29766226/ |date=June 3, 2012 }}. ''Wales On Sunday''</ref>

==Death==
[[File:Headstone at grave of Joe Frazier.jpg|thumb|Frazier's headstone and gravesite in [[Ivy Hill Cemetery (Philadelphia)|Ivy Hill Cemetery]] in [[Philadelphia]]]]
Frazier was diagnosed with [[liver cancer]] in late September 2011. By November 2011, he was under [[hospice]] care in [[Philadelphia]], where he died on November 7 at the age of 67.<ref name="11/8/2011" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/boxing/2011/1108/frazierj.html |title=Smokin' Joe Frazier passes away |date=November 8, 2011 |work=RTÉ Sport |access-date=November 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109173027/http://www.rte.ie/sport/boxing/2011/1108/frazierj.html |archive-date=November 9, 2011}}</ref>
Upon hearing of Frazier's death, [[Muhammad Ali]] said, "The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration."<ref>{{cite news |title=Boxing ex-world champion Joe Frazier dies |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15632665 |access-date=November 8, 2011 |newspaper=BBC |date=November 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/nov/08/muhammad-ali-tribute-joe-frazier |title=Muhammad Ali leads tributes to the late Joe Frazier |date=November 8, 2011 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=UK |access-date=November 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/muhammad-ali-heads-up-tributes-to-joe-frazier-2928105.html |title=Muhammad Ali heads up tributes to Joe Frazier |date=November 8, 2011 |newspaper=[[Irish Independent]] |access-date=November 8, 2011}}</ref> 

On November 14, Frazier's private funeral was held at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia and was attended by [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Don King]], [[Larry Holmes]], [[Magic Johnson]], [[Dennis Rodman]], his friends and family, and others. [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]] paid for Frazier's funeral services. His body was buried at the [[Ivy Hill Cemetery (Philadelphia)|Ivy Hill Cemetery]] in Philadelphia, a short drive from the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/sports/local_sports/Joe_Frazier_Memorial_Service_111411 |work=Fox News Philly |title=Boxing Greats Bid Final Farewell to Smokin' Joe Frazier |access-date=November 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407051243/http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/sports/local_sports/Joe_Frazier_Memorial_Service_111411 |archive-date=April 7, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/15728360.stm |title=Muhammed Ali and boxing greats attend Joe Frazier funeral |date=November 14, 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=November 14, 2011}}</ref>

A statue of Frazier was commissioned from sculptor [[Lawrence Nowlan]]. Nowlan died unexpectedly, and ultimately a statue sculpted by Philadelphia sculptor Stephen Layne was erected at [[Stateside Live!]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Statue of Joe Frazier going up in Philadelphia |last=Kram Jr. |first=Mark |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 11, 2015 |url= https://www.si.com/boxing/2015/09/11/joe-frazier-statue-philadelphia }}</ref>

==In popular media==
[[File:Philadelphia Sports Statues 02.jpg|thumb|Statue of Frazier in [[South Philadelphia]]]]
* He was played by boxer [[James Toney]] in the 2001 film ''[[Ali (2001 film)|Ali]]''.
* Some of the most memorable moments in the 1976 boxing-themed feature film ''[[Rocky]]'', such as Rocky's carcass-punching scenes and Rocky running up the steps of the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]], as part of his training regimen, are taken from Frazier's real-life exploits. In the film, Frazier makes a cameo appearance, as a spectator at the fight between Rocky and Apollo Creed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Big Interview: Joe Frazier |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/nov/11/sportinterviews-boxing |access-date=November 11, 2008 |work=The Guardian |location=London |first=Donald |last=McRae |date=November 11, 2008}}</ref>
* In March 2007, a Joe Frazier action figure was released as part of a range of toys based on the ''Rocky'' film franchise, developed by the American toy manufacturer [[Jakks Pacific]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Joe Frazier Action Figure |url=http://www.mgmstore.com/cat/Rocky/Figures/Rocky-III-Joe-Frazier-Action-Figure.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112112913/http://www.mgmstore.com/cat/Rocky/Figures/Rocky-III-Joe-Frazier-Action-Figure.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 12, 2009 |publisher=[[MGM]] |access-date=March 1, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jakks Pacific Philadelphia Media Preview For Rocky |url=http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=137&itemid=10182 |publisher=Jakks Pacific |first1=Jay |last1=Cochran |date=September 8, 2006 |access-date=September 8, 2006}}</ref>
* Electric bassist Jeff Berlin wrote a musical tribute simply called "Joe Frazier", originally recorded on the Bill Bruford album ''Gradually Going Tornado'', available on the compilation album ''Master Strokes''.
*He guest-starred as himself in the 1992 ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?]]", where he presented [[Homer Simpson]] with the Montgomery Burns Award for the Outstanding Achievement In The Field Of Excellence.
* Mr. Sandman, a video game character in the ''[[Punch-Out!!]]'' [[video game]] series, known for being one of the toughest opponents, was based in part on Frazier.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}
* In the ''[[Fight Night (video game series)|Fight Night]]'' video games, Frazier is a character in each game.
* His granddaughter, Latrice Frazier, appeared on an episode of ''[[Maury (talk show)|Maury]]''.
* On July 1, 2021, [[CBS]] announced that his son Derek was one of 16 Houseguests participating in ''[[Big Brother 23 (American season)|Big Brother 23]]''. Derek ended up being the runner-up for that season, winning $75,000.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/big-brother-season-23-cast-photos-bios/ |title=Meet the Big Brother season 23 cast |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=Dalton |last=Ross |date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=July 1, 2021}}</ref>

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=1
|ko-wins=27
|ko-losses=3
|dec-wins=5
|dec-losses=1
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round(s), time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|37
|{{draw}}Draw
|{{nowrap|32–4–1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Floyd Cummings]]
|{{abbr|MD|Majority draw}}
|10
|December 3, 1981
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[International Amphitheatre]], [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|36
|{{no2}}Loss
|32–4
|style="text-align:left;"|[[George Foreman]]
|TKO
|5 (12), {{small|2:26}}
|[[George Foreman vs. Joe Frazier II|Jun 15, 1976]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]], [[Hempstead, New York]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For NABF heavyweight title}}
|-
|35
|{{no2}}Loss
|32–3
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Boxing career of Muhammad Ali|Muhammad Ali]]
|RTD
|14 (15), {{small|3:00}}
|[[Thrilla in Manila|Oct 1, 1975]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Philippine Coliseum]], [[Quezon City]], Philippines}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jimmy Ellis (boxer)|Jimmy Ellis]]
|TKO
|9 (12), {{small|0:59}}
|March 2, 1975
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Junction Oval]], [[Melbourne]], Australia}}
|
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jerry Quarry]]
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|1:37}}
|June 17, 1974
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|32
|{{no2}}Loss
|30–2
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Boxing career of Muhammad Ali|Muhammad Ali]]
|UD
|12
|[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II|Jan 28, 1974]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For [[list of NABF champions#Heavyweight|NABF heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Joe Bugner]]
|{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}}
|12
|July 2, 1973
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Earls Court Exhibition Centre]], [[London]], England}}
|
|-
|30
|{{no2}}Loss
|29–1
|style="text-align:left;"|[[George Foreman]]
|TKO
|2 (15), {{small|2:26}}
|[[Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman|Jan 22, 1973]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[National Stadium (Jamaica)|National Stadium]], [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ron Stander]]
|RTD
|4 (15), {{small|3:00}}
|May 25, 1972
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Omaha Civic Auditorium|Civic Auditorium]], [[Omaha, Nebraska]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Terry Daniels
|TKO
|4 (15), {{small|1:47}}
|January 15, 1972
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Rivergate Auditorium, [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Boxing career of Muhammad Ali|Muhammad Ali]]
|UD
|15
|[[Fight of the Century|Mar 8, 1971]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Bob Foster (boxer)|Bob Foster]]
|KO
|2 (15), {{small|0:49}}
|November 18, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Cobo Arena]], [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and [[list of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jimmy Ellis (boxer)|Jimmy Ellis]]
|RTD
|4 (15)
|February 16, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC heavyweight title;<br>Won [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA]] and vacant [[list of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jerry Quarry]]
|RTD
|7 (15), {{small|3:00}}
|June 23, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC heavyweight title}}
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Dave Zyglewicz
|KO
|1 (15), {{small|1:36}}
|April 22, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Sam Houston Coliseum]], [[Houston, Texas]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC heavyweight title}}
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Oscar Bonavena]]
|UD
|15
|December 10, 1968
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC heavyweight title}}
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Manuel Ramos (boxer)|Manuel Ramos]]
|TKO
|2 (15), {{small|3:00}}
|June 24, 1968
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC heavyweight title}}
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Buster Mathis]]
|TKO
|11 (15), {{small|2:33}}
|March 4, 1968
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]] [[list of heavyweight boxing champions|heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Marion Connor
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|1:40}}
|December 18, 1967
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Boston Garden]], [[Boston, Massachusetts]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Tony Doyle
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|1:04}}
|October 17, 1967
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[George Chuvalo]]
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|0:16}}
|July 19, 1967
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|style="text-align:left;"|George Johnson
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|10
|May 4, 1967
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jefferson Davis
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|0:48}}
|April 11, 1967
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Miami Beach Auditorium|Auditorium]], [[Miami Beach, Florida]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Doug Jones (boxer)|Doug Jones]]
|KO
|6 (10), {{small|2:28}}
|February 21, 1967
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Eddie Machen]]
|TKO
|10 (10), {{small|0:22}}
|November 21, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Oscar Bonavena]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|10
|September 21, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Billy Daniels
|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}
|6 (10)
|July 25, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Al Jones
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|2:33}}
|May 26, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Chuck Leslie
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:47}}
|May 19, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Grand Olympic Auditorium]], [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Don Smith
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|1:09}}
|April 28, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)|Civic Arena]], [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Charley Polite
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|0:55}}
|April 4, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Hotel Philadelphia Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Dick Wipperman
|TKO
|5 (8), {{small|2:58}}
|March 4, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York City, New York]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Mel Turnbow
|KO
|1 (8), {{small|1:41}}
|January 17, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Abe Davis
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|1 (8), {{small|2:38}}
|November 11, 1965
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Philadelphia Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Ray Staples
|TKO
|2 (6), {{small|2:06}}
|September 28, 1965
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Mike Bruce
|TKO
|3 (6), {{small|1:39}}
|September 20, 1965
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Woody Goss
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|1 (6), {{small|1:42}}
|August 16, 1965
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Philadelphia Convention Hall|Convention Hall]], [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], U.S.}}
|
|}

==Titles in boxing==
===Major world titles===
* [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]] [[heavyweight]] champion (200+&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)

===''The Ring'' magazine titles===
* [[list of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)

===Undisputed titles===
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Heavyweight|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]

==Music career==
[[File:Joe Frazier en zijn groep tijdens het concert, Bestanddeelnr 924-5576.jpg|thumb|Frazier and his group during the concert in [[Tilburg]], Netherlands, in May 1971]]
In the late 1970s, Frazier created a soul-funk group called "Joe Frazier and the Knockouts", mentioned in Billboard and recording a number of singles.
Joe toured widely in the US and Europe including Ireland, where among other places he performed in [[Donegal (town)|Donegal]] and [[Athy|Athy, County Kildare]] with his band. Joe Frazier and the Knockouts were also featured singing in a 1978 Miller beer commercial.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yahjtjgBSK0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/yahjtjgBSK0 |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |title=Miller Lite Beer Commercial With Joe Frazier (1978) |date=June 14, 2015 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Frazier sang at the 1978 [[Jerry Lewis Telethon]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TbMPu1di6I |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/0TbMPu1di6I |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |title=Joe Frazier Sings in 1978.mp4 |last=freelancefreddie |date=November 9, 2011 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and he sang the United States national anthem before the rematch between Ali and [[Leon Spinks]] on September 15, 1978.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cmeHckI9Ow |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/0cmeHckI9Ow |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |title=Joe Frazier sings National Anthem 1978 |last=Brian Cooper |date=July 5, 2012 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Discography===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Singles
|-
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Cat
! scope="col" | year
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes #
|-
! scope="row" | " If You Go Stay Gone" / "Truly, Truly Lovin' Me"
| [[Capitol Records|Capitol]] 2479
| 1969
| 
|-
! scope="row" | "Knock Out Drop" / "Gonna Spend My Life"
| Capitol 2661
| 1969
| 
|-
! scope="row" | "The Bigger They Come (The Harder They Fall)" / "Come And Get Me Love"
| Cloverlay 100
| 1970
| 
|-
! scope="row" | "You Got The Love" / "Good News"
| Cloverlay 101
| 1970
| 
|-
! scope="row" | "[[My Way]]" / "Come And Get Me Love"
| Knockout K-711
| 1971
| 
|-
! scope="row" | "Try It Again" / "[[Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd song)|Knock On Wood]]"
| Jobo Records J-100
| 1974
| 
|-
! scope="row" | "First Round Knock-Out" / "Looky, Looky (Look At Me Girl)"
| [[Motown]] M 1378F
| 1975
| 
|-
! scope="row" | "Little Dog Heaven" / "What Ya Gonna Do When The Rain Starts Fallin'"
| Prodigal P-0623F
| 1976
| <ref>45Cat - [http://www.45cat.com/artist/joe-frazier Joe Frazier - Discography]</ref>
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[List of undisputed boxing champions]]
* [[Notable boxing families]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |ref=Frazier |last=Frazier |first=Joe |title=Smokin' Joe: The Autobiography |date=March 1996 |publisher=MacMillan |isbn=002860847X}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite magazine |first=Richard |last=Hoffer |title=Joe Frazier 1944–2011 |date=November 21, 2011 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1192235/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120060738/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1192235/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 20, 2011 |access-date=November 30, 2011}}

==Comics==
* ''Combat du siècle (Le)'' in French, by Loulou Dédola and Luca Ferrara, [[Éditions Gallimard]], Futuropolis, 2021, {{ISBN|978-2-7548-2541-2}}.

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.joefrazier.com/}}
* {{BoxRec|id=000147}}
* [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/joe.htm Joe Frazier – CBZ profile]
* [http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/frazier.html Boxing Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Frazier_Joe.html ESPN Classic - Frazier battled Ali in timeless trilogy]
* [http://www.espn.com/classic/s/Frazier_joe_add.html ESPN Classic - Smokin' Joe had vicious left hook]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/sports/william-c-rhoden-frazier-more-than-alis-foil.html ''New York Times'' Obituary]
* {{Team USA Hall of Fame|new_id=joe-frazier|old_id=Joe-Frazier|archive=20230608152203}}
* {{Olympics.com}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* [https://ringobserver.com/biofile-joe-frazier-interview/ Joe Frazier interview]

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Muhammad Ali]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]] [[list of heavyweight boxing champions|heavyweight champion]]
|years=March 4, 1968 – February 16, 1970<br />Vacated}}
{{s-non|reason=Title discontinued}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jimmy Ellis (boxer)|Jimmy Ellis]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA heavyweight champion]]
|years=February 16, 1970 – [[Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman|January 22, 1973]]}}
{{s-aft|rows=4|after=[[George Foreman]]}}
{{s-vac|last=Muhammad Ali<br />''{{small|stripped}}''}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC heavyweight champion]]
|years=February 16, 1970 – January 22, 1973}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|rows=2|last=Muhammad Ali}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]
|years=February 16, 1970 – January 22, 1973}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight champion]]
|years=May 1970 – January 22, 1973}}
{{s-end}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box
| before = Dick Tiger W10 Frank DePaula<br />{{small|(October 25, 1968)}}
| title = ''[[The Ring (magazine)|Ring Magazine]]'' [[Ring Magazine fights of the year|Fight of the Year]]
| years = 1969—TKO7 [[Jerry Quarry]] {{small|(June 23)}}
| after = {{nowrap|[[Carlos Monzón]] KO12 Nino Benvenuti}}<br />{{small|(November 7, 1970)}}
}}
{{succession box
| before = {{nowrap|Carlos Monzón KO12 Nino Benvenuti}}<br />{{small|(November 7, 1970)}}
| title = ''[[The Ring (magazine)|Ring Magazine]]'' [[Ring Magazine fights of the year|Fight of the Year]]
| years = 1971—[[Fight of the Century|W15]] Muhammad Ali {{small|(March 8)}}
| after = [[Bob Foster (boxer)|Bob Foster]] KO14 [[Chris Finnegan]]<br />{{small|(September 26, 1972)}}
}}
{{succession box
| before = Bob Foster KO14 Chris Finnegan<br />{{small|(September 26, 1972)}}
| title = ''[[The Ring (magazine)|Ring Magazine]]'' [[Ring Magazine fights of the year|Fight of the Year]]
| years = 1973—KOby2 George Foreman {{small|(January 22)}}
| after = {{nowrap|[[Muhammad Ali]] [[The Rumble in the Jungle|KO8]] [[George Foreman]]}}<br />{{small|(October 30, 1974)}}
}}
{{succession box
| before = Muhammad Ali KO8 George Foreman<br />{{small|(October 30, 1974)}}
| title = ''[[The Ring (magazine)|Ring Magazine]]'' [[Ring Magazine fights of the year|Fight of the Year]]
| years = 1975—[[Thrilla in Manila|KOby14]] Muhammad Ali  {{small|(October 1)}}
| after = George Foreman KO5 [[Ron Lyle]]<br />{{small|(January 24, 1976)}}
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Footer Olympic Champions Boxing Heavyweight}}
{{Ring magazine Fighter of the Year}}
{{Sugar Ray Robinson Award}}
{{Gullah topics|state=collapsed}} 
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Frazier, Joe}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
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