Joe Frazier

Joseph William Frazier (January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011) was an American boxer. He held the world heavyweight championship from 1968 to 1973. Frazier also won a gold medal in boxing at the 1964 Summer Olympics.

Frazier was born in Beaufort, South Carolina. He moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He learned to box in Philadelphia.

Frazier won the vacant world heavyweight title by beating Buster Mathis. He lost the title to George Foreman whom had knocked out Frazier in a 3 punch combo, breaking his eye socket, jaw, and collar bone. Frazier's most famous fights were rematches with Muhammad Ali. He beat Ali in their first fight in 1971 but lost the other two. The third fight was known as the "Thrilla in Manila".

Frazier died in Philadelphia on November 7, 2011 from liver cancer, aged 67.

References

 Other websites 

Official website

Category:1944 births
Category:2011 deaths
Category:African-American boxers
Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States
Category:Cancer deaths in Pennsylvania
Category:Deaths from liver cancer
Category:Sportspeople from South Carolina
Category:International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees