RIP Smokin Joe

Salamu.

The world became a darker place on monday when it lost the late great Smokin Joe Frazier.

Although my favourite boxers of all time are Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and more recently Marco Antonio Barrera. I was saddened by the loss of Frazier.

He was one of those people you couldnt help loving. He wasnt as arrogant as todays heavyweights and he had a 'put up or shut up' approach to life where he let his fists dot he talking.

And boy did they talk. He won a gold medal for the USA at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and turned professional in 1965.

After 25 unbeaten fights he took on Jimmy Ellis for the vacant heavyweight Title , stopping Ellis in four rounds. After a defence against Bob Foster he became, in 1971, the first man to beat Ali professionally. Two defences later he met George Foreman in Kingston Jamaica. Foreman beat him in 12 rounds.

Having lost only once in 30 fights, Frazier now lost three of his next five, beating Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Ellis but succumbing to Foreman and Ali (twice).

The second loss to ali was on October 1 1975 at the Araneta Stadium in Manilla, Philippines in a fight dubbed the 'Thrilla in Manila', Frazier retired after 14 pulsating rounds.

After a disapointing comeback fight in 1981 against Jumbo Cummings (which ended in a draw), Frazier retired once more - this time for good. After his retirement he had a strong hand in moulding the talent of his son, Marvis.

Before his fights with Ali, the World's Greatest used to taunt him relentlessly calling him a Gorilla and questioning his manhood! And Frazier used to give as good as he got.

While normal kids go to bed with stories about dragons and knights and castles. I whent to bed with my Grandfather telling me stories about Smokin' Joe and the Thrilla in Manila.

RIP Smokin' Joe...In nomine Patris et fillii et Spiritus Sancti the world will miss you.