Joe Frazier

American heavyweight boxer known as 'Smokin' Joe', Olympic gold medalist and undisputed heavyweight champion famous for trilogy with Muhammad Ali

Joseph William Frazier was born in Beaufort, South Carolina in 1944 and became undisputed world heavyweight champion with a professional record of 32 wins (27 by knockout) and 4 losses across a career spanning 1965 to 1981. He won Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games in 1964, turning professional that year. His undisputed title reign (1970–1973) featured 3 legendary encounters with Muhammad Ali that defined an era of heavyweight boxing. The Fight of the Century in Madison Square Garden in March 1971 — the first professional defeat of Ali's career — was decided by Frazier's left hook in the 15th round. Ali's revenge came in January 1974 before the definitive encounter, the Thrilla in Manila in October 1975 — 14 rounds of extraordinary brutality in searing heat that left both men permanently diminished. Frazier's left hook — the hardest punch in heavyweight history according to trainer Eddie Futch — was the weapon that defined his style. He lost his title to George Foreman in January 1973, knocked down 6 times in 2 rounds. He won 27 of his 32 victories by knockout. He was Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 1970 and 1971. He died of liver cancer in November 2011 at 67.

Orthodox stance, aggressive pressure fighter with devastating left hook

First boxer to defeat Muhammad Ali, Olympic champion, undisputed heavyweight champion

• Undisputed Heavyweight Champion 1970–1973
• Olympic Gold 1964 (Heavyweight)
• Ring Magazine Fighter of Year 1970, 1971
• Fight of Century 1971 vs Ali (won)
• Thrilla in Manila 1975 vs Ali (lost)