Joe Frazier
Born: 1944-01-12 in Beaufort, South Carolina
Died: 2011-11-07
Known For: Acting
Biography
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.
Filmography
2019
- Thrilla in Manila as Self
2009
- Facing Ali as Self
2008
- Thrilla in Manila as Himself
- Secret Talents of the Stars
2007
- American Gangster ... (Thanks)
2004
2002
- Jim Brown: All-American as Self (uncredited)
2000
- TV Funhouse as Self
- Ali-Frazier I: One Nation... Divisible as Self
- Champions Forever - World Heavyweight Champs! as Himself
1998
- Just the Ticket as himself
1996
- Muhammad Ali The Whole Story as Self
- A Christmas Journey Home as Tough Guy
- Die Muhammad Ali Story as Joe Frazier
1995
- A Whole New Ballgame as Self
1994
1993
- Raw as Self
1990
- Night of 100 Stars III as Self
- Glory Days as Joe Frazier
1989
- The Simpsons as Joe Frazier (voice)
- Champions Forever as Self
1987
- Ghost Fever as Terrible Tucker
1986
- WrestleMania 2 as Self
- WrestleMania II as Himself
1984
- NWA Starrcade 1984 as "Smokin" Joe Frazier (Referee/Ringside Judge)
- Tuesday Night Titans as Joe Frazier
1982
- Wogan as Self
1976
- Rocky as Himself
- George Foreman vs Joe Frazier II as Self
1975
1974
- Movin' On
- The Fighters as Self
- Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II as Self
- The Fight as Himself
- The Rumble in the Jungle: George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali as Commentator
1973
- Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman as Self
1971
- Fight of the Century as Self
- Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier I as Self
1968
- The Dick Cavett Show as Self - Guest
1965
- Tokyo Olympiad as Self
1962
1961
- The Mike Douglas Show as Self