Smokin’ Joe Frazier – A Philadelphia Legend – R.I.P.

Smokin’ Joe Frazier – A Philadelphia Legend – R.I.P.

Smokin’ Joe Frazier was a part of the City of Philadelphia for many decades. That came to an end on November 7th, 2011 when Joe Frazier, at the age of 67, died of liver cancer.

Joe Frazier, the former Heavy-weight champion, is most remembered as the first man to beat Muhammad Ali, knocking him down and taking a decision in the so-called Fight of the Century in 1971. Frazier and Ali would go on having fought each other two more times in his career, with Frazier losing both of them.

There have been stories of Frazier who was said to have lost his fortune through a combination of his own generosity and just being naive at times. Smokin’ Joe Frazier was just a good man who meant well. After he retired, Frazier made some appearances in a few Hollywood movies, and two episodes of the Simpsons. His son Marvis later became a boxer in which Frazier had trained himself. Marvis never become the fighter that his father once was. But Frazier did continue to train fighters in his gym in Philadelphia, the same gym that he had put up for sale in mid 2009.

Did you Know?

Did you know that some of the most memorable moments in the film Rocky from 1976 are taken from Joe Frazier’s real life occurrences. How about the scene of Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and when Rocky would punch the carcass’s in the meat packing company in Philadelphia. Frazier never did receive any credit after the movie came out. ~reference to info in interview ~

R.I.P. Smokin’ Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier and his story is part of the Philadelphia Legends and the history of Philadelphia Sports. Frazier’s body will lie in state on Friday from 10 am until 5 pm at the Wells Fargo Center and again on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fans are welcome to pay their respects to the two-time heavyweight champion.

His funeral service will be held Monday at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2800 West Cheltenham Ave. A viewing will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. and the service will begin at 11.

In Lieu of Flowers, the Frazier family asks you to send donations to The American Cancer Society. Make checks out to ACS, Inc.
8400 Silver Crossing, Oklahoma City, OK 73132.
Please include in your memo: In Memory of Joe Frazier.

Photo courtesy of AP – Directions to Wells Fargo Center

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