Joe Frazier
Joseph William "Joe" Frazier, known as "Smokin" Joe, is a former Olympic and World Heavyweight boxing champion, whose professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a brief comeback in 1981. Frazier emerged as a contender in the mid-1960s, defeating Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones and Jimmy Ellis en route to becoming undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970, and followed up by defeating Muhammad Ali in the highly-anticipated "Fight of the Century" in 1971. Two years later Frazier lost his title when he was knocked out by George Foreman. He launched a comeback, beating Joe Bugner, losing a rematch to Ali, and beating Quarry and Ellis again. Frazier's last world title challenge came in 1975, but he was beaten by Ali in their brutal rubbermatch. He retired in 1976 following a second loss to Foreman. He made a comeback in 1981, fighting just once, before retiring for good. The International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) rates Frazier among the ten greatest heavyweights of all time. He is an inductee of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Frazier's style was often compared to that of Henry Armstrong, dependent on bobbing, weaving and wearing down his opponents with relentless pressure. His best known punch was a powerful left hook, which accounted for most of his knockouts. Compared to Ali's style, he was close enough to the ideal bruiser that some in the press and media characterized the bouts as the answer to the classic question: "What happens when a boxer meets with a brawler?" Since retiring Frazier has made cameo appearances in several Hollywood movies, and two episodes of The Simpsons. His son Marvis also became a boxer - trained by Frazier himself - although was unable to emulate his father's success. Frazier continues to train fighters in his gym in Philadelphia. His later years have also seen the continuation of his bitter rivalry with Ali, in which the two periodically exchange insults, interspersed with brief reconciliations.
Known For
Credits
- 2019 ยทThrilla in Manilaas Self
- 2012 ยทJoe Frazier: When the Smoke Clearsas
- 2009 ยทFacing Alias Self
- 2008 ยทThrilla in Manilaas Himself
- 2008 ยทSecret Talents of the Starsas
- 2004 ยทThe Next Great Champas
- 2002 ยทJim Brown: All-Americanas Self (uncredited)
- 2000 ยทTV Funhouseas Self
- 2000 ยทAli-Frazier I: One Nation... Divisibleas Self
- 2000 ยทChampions Forever - World Heavyweight Champs!as Himself
- 1999 ยทMuhammad Ali - The Greatest Collectionas
- 1998 ยทJust the Ticketas himself
- 1996 ยทA Christmas Journey Homeas Tough Guy
- 1996 ยทWhen We Were Kingsas Self (archive footage)
- 1996 ยทMuhammad Ali The Whole Storyas Self
- 1996 ยทDie Muhammad Ali Storyas Joe Frazier
- 1995 ยทA Whole New Ballgameas Self
- 1994 ยทHome of Angelsas
- 1993 ยทRawas Self
- 1990 ยทGlory Daysas Joe Frazier
- 1990 ยทNight of 100 Stars IIIas Self
- 1989 ยทThe Simpsonsas Joe Frazier (voice)
- 1989 ยทChampions Foreveras Self
- 1987 ยทGhost Feveras Terrible Tucker
- 1986 ยทWrestleMania IIas Himself
- 1984 ยทNWA Starrcade '84: The Million Dollar Challengeas "Smokin" Joe Frazier (Referee/Ringside Judge)
- 1982 ยทWoganas Self
- 1976 ยทRockyas Himself
- 1976 ยทGeorge Foreman vs Joe Frazier IIas Self
- 1975 ยทMuhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier IIIas Self
- 1975 ยทAli the Man: Ali the Fighteras Self
- 1975 ยทThe Jeffersonsas
- 1974 ยทThe Rumble in the Jungle: George Foreman vs. Muhammad Alias Commentator
- 1974 ยทMovin' Onas
- 1974 ยทMuhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier IIas Self
- 1974 ยทThe Fightas Himself
- 1974 ยทThe Fightersas Self
- 1973 ยทJoe Frazier vs. George Foremanas Self
- 1971 ยทFight of the Centuryas Self
- 1971 ยทMuhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier Ias Self
- 1968 ยทThe Dick Cavett Showas Self - Guest
- 1965 ยทTokyo Olympiadas Self
- 1962 ยทThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self
- 1961 ยทThe Mike Douglas Showas Self