Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier
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.
Known For
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
45
Gender
Male
Birthday
1944-01-12 (81 years old)
Place of Birth
Beaufort, South Carolina
Acting

2019

Thrilla in Manila as Self

2009

Facing Ali as Self

2008

Secret Talents of the Stars as Not available

2008

Thrilla in Manila as Himself

2004

The Next Great Champ as Not available

2002

Jim Brown: All-American as Self (uncredited)

2000

TV Funhouse as Self

1998

Just the Ticket as himself

1996

Die Muhammad Ali Story as Joe Frazier

1996

When We Were Kings as Self (archive footage)

1996

A Christmas Journey Home as Tough Guy

1994

Home of Angels as Not available

1993

Raw as Self

1990

Glory Days as Joe Frazier

1989

The Simpsons as Joe Frazier (voice)

1989

Champions Forever as Self

1987

Ghost Fever as Terrible Tucker

1986

WrestleMania II as Himself

1984

NWA Starrcade '84: The Million Dollar Challenge as "Smokin" Joe Frazier (Referee/Ringside Judge)

1982

Wogan as Self

1976

Rocky as Himself

1975

The Jeffersons as Not available

1974

Movin' On as Not available

1974

The Fighters as Self

1974

The Fight as Himself

1968

The Dick Cavett Show as Self - Guest

1965

Tokyo Olympiad as Self
Crew

2007

American Gangster Thanks