Frazier factfile
Tuesday 8 November 2011 08:33, UK
The life and times of former Olympic and world heavyweight champion Smokin' Joe Frazier.
1944: Born January 12 in Beaufort, South Carolina. 1964: Wins Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, beating German Hans Huber in the final. Frazier had been beaten by Buster Mathis in the USA trials and only went to the Games following an injury to Mathis. 1965: Turns professional and beats Woody Goss in his first bout. 1966: Beats Argentina's Oscar Bonavena by unanimous decision at Madison Square Gardens despite being knocked down twice in one round. 1968: Stops Mathis in the 11th round to win the New York State world title 1970: Defeats Jimmy Ellis by fifth-round technical knockout to win the WBA belt vacated when Muhammad Ali was stripped of the title, becoming undisputed world heavyweight champion. Successfully defends undisputed title against Bob Foster. 1971: March 8 - Beats Ali in the "Fight of the Century", winning a unanimous decision after a shuddering left-hook floored his great opponent for a four-count in the last of 15 rounds. 1973: Loses his title in a brutal defeat to George Foreman, in which Frazier was knocked down six times in two rounds. 1974: Loses a rematch with Ali in 12 rounds. 1975: Renews hostilities with Ali for a final time in the "Thrilla in Manila". Ali won a gruelling fight in 14 rounds but later claimed: "It was the closest I've come to death." 1976: Retires after second defeat to Foreman, with a record of 32 wins and 27 KOs from 36 fights. 1981: A brief comeback yields only a draw with Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings before Frazier retires for good. 1990: Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. 2011: November 7 - Dies aged 67 after battle with liver cancer.
