World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joseph William “Smokin' Joe” Frazier was born on January 12, 1944 in Beaufort, South Carolina but was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  It was former middleweight boxer Yancey “Yank” Durham who trained him as an amateur.  Joe was just 20 years old when he won the gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics 84 kg and above heavyweight category.  The event was held in Tokyo, Japan.

Durham continued to train Joe Frazier and even helped in organizing a group called Cloverlay.  Cloverlay was composed of wealthy businessmen who invested financially in Joe's training and professional career.  In 1965, Joe knocked out Woody Goss in the first round of their fight.  He won three more fights in the same year.  After Durham's death in 1973, Joe went to London and trained under the tutelage of Eddie Futch.

In 1966, he won eight fights by knockout and defeated Mel Turnbow, Dick Wipperman, Charley Polite, Don Smith, Chuck Leslie, Al Jones, Billy Daniels and Eddie Machen.  A year after, he won all of his four fights.  It was in 1968 that he fought with Buster Mathis to become the new world champion after the title was revoked from Muhammad Ali. He knocked out Mathis on the 11th round and won the much coveted title.

He defeated WBA champion Jimmy Ellis in 1970. He then traveled to Detroit and knocked out Bob Foster in the second round of their fight. This was followed by what was called The Fight of The Century, when he and Ali finally faced each other inside the boxing ring.  It was in the 15th round that Joe Frazier knocked out the three-time World Heavyweight champion.  Joe defeated Ali again in 1974 at New York and in 1975 at Quezon City, Philippines.

Frazier retired in 1981.

Joe Frazier is a contestant on CBS' reality TV series Secret Talents of the Stars, a show that pits celebrities against each other as they showcase their hidden abilities.  His hidden talent is singing R&B.



(Photo courtesy of phillypena.com)