With Joe Frazier in happier times.
Philly's own legendary champ -- Joe Frazier -- is said to be terminally ills and near death.
In my lifetime, two local champs stand out: Camden's own Jersey Joe Walcott and Joe Frazier. Thank goodness, I got to meet both of them.
Forty years ago this year Joe Frazier knocked down Muhammed Ali with a "lethal left hook" to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Though he was devastating in the ring, Joe Frazier, now 67, has always been considered one of the real gentleman of the sport of boxing outside the ring. And I can attest to that. The son of a South Carolina sharecropper, Frazier worked had to get to the top.
Boxing turned out to be his ticket to fame and glory.
He was on the 1964 Olympic team and won a gold medal. Over his career, he won 32 fights, 27 by knockout. He suffered only four losses and one draw.
He was quick out of the gate, winning his first 11 fights by knock out.
In 1968, he beat Buster Mathis for the New York State world title at Madison Square Garden. He made six title defenses after that over the next several year.
Joe always said "what makes a champion is heart." Joe has a great heart and Philadelphia was, is and always will be proud of him.
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