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| | Friday, March 2 Chat wrap: Joe Frazier | ||||||
Frazier helped preview ESPN Classic's Game of the Week (Sunday, March 4 9 ET): Ali-Frazier I the 30th anniversary. "Smokin' Joe" began boxing at a Police Athletic gymnasium to lose weight and developed his tremendous upper-body strength while working in a Philadelphia meat packing plant. In 1964, as an Olympic alternate, he won the gold medal in Tokyo. In 1970, he won the heavyweight championship with a fifth-round KO of Jimmy Ellis. That same year, Muhammad Ali began to fight again after having his title stripped in 1967 for refusing induction into the U.S. military. Frazier, the new champ, would face Ali, the old champ, in a fight with unparalleled build-up. Each fighter was paid an unprecedented $2.5 million. On March 8, 1971, before a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden, in 15 superlative rounds, Frazier defeated Ali. But Frazier was so battered, he was unable to fight for 10 months. Frazier held the title for nearly two years before George Foreman knocked him out to take the title. But the proud Philadelphia warrior had one more epic bout left in him: The Thrilla in Manilla, Frazier vs. Ali for the third time. Hailed by many as the greatest fight in boxing history, the Ali and Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds. With Frazier's body badly bruised, his corner threw in the towel. But in defeat, Smokin' Joe had emerged a champion. He still ranks as one of most popular fighters in boxing history.
[5]  Joe Frazier at 2:22pm ET
Hello everyone. Sorry for the delay. Let's get started. [6] Desmond Meredith from [204.91.54.44], at 2:23pm ET I remember you naming Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and yourself as the 3 greatest heavyweights in history. Where would you place the only men to beat you on your list (Foreman, & Ali). [7] Joe Frazier at 2:24pm ET
I would say that George was the only guy that really put a hurting on me. He was a true heavyweight not bloated up like the others. [8] Garth from [63.71.72.249], at 2:25pm ET Joe, looking back at the fights you had with Ali and all the stuff that was said.... do you look at that as the way Ali tried to sale tickets or did it really make you mad and if it did, are you and Muhammad friends now? [11] Joe Frazier at 2:29pm ET
In those days, the fighters didn't care about selling tickets because you got a guaranteed purse. So he was just trying to make me angry. But it didn't work.
Why does everyone want to know about my relationship with Ali? Do people want me to have him move in with me? We were enemies when the bell rung, we wanted to tear each other apart. Plain and simple. Right now, we have a great relationship. We both have kids, some fighting each other. I just hope it doesn't keep going down the generations where they keep hating each other. It is time to put all that behind us. We only have a short time on this world. [9] Welshmorph from [62.30.192.1], at 2:25pm ET Do you feel Mike Tyson is good for Boxing, or should he have retired a few years ago? [10] Joe Frazier at 2:26pm ET
I think he has been good for boxing. You have to remember, no one could stay in the ring with that guy. But he has lost a little love for the profession but he has to go back to what made him a champion. I think he is a great fighter. [12] DC (espn classic) from [198.83.168.3], at 2:29pm ET Hi Joe, when were you diagnosed with Diabetes? Do you think you had it throughout your boxing career or is it a recent thing? [13] Joe Frazier at 2:30pm ET
I was just recently diagnosed with it. But going back and looking at some of the symptoms, they seemed to be there when I was a younger fighter. Some of the feelings I have now, I got when I was younger. I have to be a lot more careful now that I am older. I can't just eat candy and go crazy like I used too. [14] JR from [209.143.15.41], at 2:30pm ET how did you get the nickname "smokin joe" ? [15] Joe Frazier at 2:31pm ET
It came from my first trainer -- he always said, "go out there and make smoke come from those gloves." [16] Ryan Weinstock from [65.3.233.26], at 2:31pm ET How bad does it feel to hear the words "Down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier" after all these years? [17] Joe Frazier at 2:33pm ET
That was Howard Cosell. It was the Foreman fight and the better man walked out of the ring that night. So I am not ashamed. But one thing that I will always be proud of was that I never backed away from a fight. I took on everyone. [18] Marty from [24.4.252.97], at 2:33pm ET Describe what you think of the current heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis? [19] Joe Frazier at 2:34pm ET
It is pretty hard for me to get used to him and his braids. But he is a great fighter and a great champion. As long as he is getting the job done, that is all that matters. [20] Joe Frazier at 2:37pm ET
That is all the time I have for now. Thanks for the questions, sorry I couldn't get to more. Take care. | |||||||
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