TRIBUTES from across the world of boxing have been paid to former world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, who has died of liver cancer at the age of 67.
Muhammad Ali, whose bouts with Frazier -- nicknamed Smokin’ Joe because of his all-action style -- have gone down in boxing legend, said “the world had lost a great champion”, while others have praised his great commitment to the sport.
In Scotland, former lightweight world champion Jim Watt, who fought during the same era, said Frazier’s death was a “huge loss”, while promoter Tommy Gilmour said the sport would not see his like again.
It emerged over the weekend that Frazier, the former undisputed world heavyweight champion, was fighting liver cancer and he was reported to be in hospice care.
His family confirmed he had passed away in a statement reported by a Philadelphia television station yesterday morning. It read: “We, the family of the 1964 Olympic boxing heavyweight gold-medallist, former heavyweight boxing champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame member Smokin’ Joe Frazier, regret to inform you of his passing.
“He transitioned from this life as ‘One of God’s Men’, on the eve of November 7, 2011, at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We thank you for your prayers for our father and vast outpouring of love and support.”
He won Olympic gold in 1964 after going to the Games as a replacement for the injured Buster Mathis, who had beaten him in the trials. Frazier later revealed he had fought through the pain barrier after breaking his thumb in the semi-final.
He gained the professional heavyweight title in 1970 by stopping Jimmy Ellis in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden and defended it successfully four times.
He is best remembered for his fights with fellow boxing legends Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Frazier beat Ali on points in the “Fight of the Century” in 1971, but lost in two further meetings, including the epic “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975.
He fought Foreman twice, losing by technical knockout in both 1973 and 1976.
Last night, Ali said: “The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration.
“My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.”
Jim Watt said he was “deeply shocked” to hear the news of Frazier’s death.
He said: “His legacy will live on. When people are asked to list the top six boxers of all time, his name will be among them.
“He was a great fighter and a great man, and he will be remembered forever for the trilogy of fights he had against Ali.
“Those fights showed everything that’s good about boxing; great skill, greater courage and the incredible will to go on.”
Boxing promoter Tommy Gilmour, of the St Andrew’s Boxing Club, said that one of the great lights of boxing’s golden era had gone out.
He said: “Joe Frazier was simply a legend. He was an iconic figure and his fights with Ali from Madison Square gardens to the Thrilla in Manila will go down among the greatest fights of all time.
“The thing about that whole era was that those fighters did not duck anybody, and to be the greatest you had to beat the greatest. Frazier did that when he defeated Ali.
“I don’t think we’ll ever see his like again as things have changed so much.”
Foreman tweeted his reaction, saying: “Good night Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend.”
Frazier retired in 1976 after losing a rematch against Foreman.
He aborted an attempted comeback five years later following a draw with the unheralded Jumbo Cummings.
He later went on to be a prominent figure on the after-dinner speaking circuit, and also ran a boxing gym where he trained young fighters.
His relationship with Ali, who taunted him mercilessly in the run up to their fights, fluctuated over the years, but the pair were reportedly friends at the end.
British former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis added: “He definitely was legendary and he made a great contribution to boxing.
“I’m so sad for his family. Nobody likes to hear about great heroes passing on.”
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