Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier has been known as the toughest rival of Muhammad Ali. He is an Olympic gold medalist and a world champion who lived in the glory days of the heavyweight division. Smokin Joe is a star pupil of Eddie Futch, a boxing trainer known as a tactician for his methodical approach in training fighters.

Frazier has been known for his body punches, unrelenting attacks and extreme durability. He was able to fight Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis and Doug Jones even defeating Muhammad Ali in one occasion.

But what defined Joe Frazier’s career is his historic Thrilla in Manila rubbermatch against Muhammad Ali. Thrilla in Manila took place in Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. Thrilla in Manila is considered by many as the greatest boxing match in history. It has even been used by anti-boxing advocates in their attempts to ban boxing as a sport. Smokin Joe eventually retired one match after Thrilla in Manila. He died in 2011 with liver cancer.