(Image Source:articles.philly.com)
BY GARY COTTON
ANCHOR CHRISTY LEWIS
Joe Frazier’s legendary bouts with Muhammed Ali thrilled the world, but now he’s waging a different kind of fight. HLN reports..
“Boxing legend Joe Frazier has liver cancer and is now in hospice care. That’s according to his personal and business manager. She says the former heavyweight champ was diagnosed a month ago. Frazier was the first boxer to professionally defeat the great Muhammed Ali in 1971.”
Frazier’s cancer is in the advanced stages and doctors have only given Frazier a short window to live. The Chicago Tribune took a moment to look back at the iconic fighter.
“Smokin' Joe was a small yet ferocious fighter who smothered his opponents with punches, including a devastating left hook he used to end many of his fights early...”
ESPN weighed in too, bringing up those famous bouts with Ali.
“The 67-year-old Frazier best known for his unforgettable bouts against Muhammed Ali that truly changed the sport of boxing. He was a devastating fighter who was also considered a true gentleman outside the ring.”
They may have been gentlemen, but there was a lot of trash talking between the two stars. The New York Post expanded on the rivalry, noting some famous one-liners.
“Ali could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Frazier was the ultimate brawler, yet in his own way, he could turn a phrase too. His response to Ali was classic: “They told you wrong, pretty boy.’’
The feud between the two lasted long after the fights, but an analyst on Box Nation thinks they finally got around to tying up those loose ends.
“At least it was great that if he’s going to pass away in the next few days, that a few months ago he got together with Ali at Madison Square Garden for the 40th anniversary and they sort of had a cuddle. I think he showed that the hatchet was buried. The quote he said was ‘If I had a loaf of bread, I’d give half of it to Muhammed Ali.’”
Frazier’s manager says they haven’t given up the fight and are looking for other options.
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