Joe Frazier, the former Olympic and heavyweight champion, died at 67

The Boxing legend former Olympic and heavyweight champion Joe Frazier died monday night (November 7) at his 67. He has been suffering from liver cancer. Frazier had been under home hospice care after being diagnosed just weeks ago with the cancer that took his life, a family friend said. Until then, Frazier had been doing regular autograph appearances, including one in Las Vegas in September. The great boxer was born on January 12, 1944 at Beaufort, California, USA. He left his 11 children at his death. The family issued a press release to confirm his death. His professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a brief comeback in 1981.

Frazier emerged as the top contender in the late 1960s, defeating the likes of Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, George Chuvalo and Jimmy Ellis en route to becoming undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970, and followed up by defeating Muhammad Ali on points in the highly-anticipated "Fight of the Century" in 1971. With Ali he faught three times including the epic "Thrilla in Manilla." he beat Ali in that fight, Frazier lost the final two and for many years was bitter about the role Ali forced him to play as his foil. Two years later Frazier lost his title when he was knocked out by George Foreman. He fought on, beating Joe Bugner, losing a rematch to Ali, and beating Quarry and Ellis again.


Fight of the Century 1971

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.

He also maede a cameo appearace in many Hollywood Movies and in two episodes of "The Simpsons." The world will never see this talent at work.

Joe Frazier's fight with Great Mohammad Ali

Joe frazier with WWE star John Cena