Joe Frazier

Olympian 1964

1
GOLD

0
SILVER

0
BRONZE

Athlete Bio#

Age

Died (Aged 67)

1944-2011

Hometown

Beaufort, SC

Personal

Son of Rubin and Dolly Frazier, who were sharecroppers...Youngest of 12 children......Quit school at 13 and was on his own at age 15...Found work at a slaughterhouse in Philadelphia and would punch sides of beef, which inspired scenes in the film “Rocky”...His boxing skills caught the eye of trainer Yank Durham, who coached him...Purchased a 368-acre farm not far from where he grew up with his earnings from the Fight of the Century against Muhammad Ali...After retiring from Boxing, he managed the career of his oldest son, Marvis, who became a heavyweight boxer...Father to 11 children.

Olympic Experience

1-time Olympian; 1-time Olympic medalist (1 gold)

Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, gold (Heavyweight - Men)

Hall Of Fame Bio #

After rising up the ranks as one of the country’s top amateur boxers, “Smokin” Joe Frazier competed at the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, bringing home the gold medal in the heavyweight division. Turning pro the following year, Frazier compiled a 32-4-1 recording during his career, fighting in some of the largest bouts of his era. He reigned as undisputed heavyweight champions from 1970-73, defeating Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision in the Fight of the Century in 1971. He faced Ali again during the 1975 Thrilla in Manila, a legendary fight and Frazier’s last title challenge. He retired from professional boxing in 1976, and again after a single fight in 1981. Following his retirement, Frazier was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He passed away from liver cancer at age 67 in 2011.