World heavyweight boxing legend Smokin’ Joe Frazier died yesterday at the age of 67, following a battle with liver cancer.
His agent Darren Prince confirmed his passing and said that he died at his Philadelphia-area home while under hospice care and surrounded by his family. News of the cancer diagnosis came just one month ago.
The family issued this statement, “We, the family of the 1964 Olympic boxing heavyweight gold-medalist… 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. We thank you for your prayers for our father and vast outpouring of love and support. Our father’s home going celebration will be announced as soon as possible.”
He won the professional heavyweight title in 1970 by stopping Jimmy Ellis in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden and defending it successfully four times before losing it to George Foreman in 1973.
Remembering his old opponent, Foreman tweeted, “Good night Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend.”
Frazier is best remembered for his three bouts with Muhammad Ali. The first, dubbed the ‘Fight of the Century’ in 1971, saw Frazier deliver to Ali his first professional defeat. The tide went the other way in their other two fights, with Ali victorious.
Photo Credit: Ivan Nikolov-WENN