Joe Frazier
The left hook that put Ali on the floor.
- Born
- January 12, 1944, Beaufort, South Carolina, US
- Died
- November 7, 2011 (aged 67)
- Nationality
United States- Height
- 182 cm (6′0″)
- Reach
- 187 cm (6′2″)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Style
- Bob-and-weave swarmer
- Weight
- Heavyweight
- Active
- 1965–1981
The record
Professional; matches IBHOF record
1964 Olympic gold (heavyweight)
The story
he son of a South Carolina sharecropper, Joe Frazier moved to Philadelphia, lost to Buster Mathis at the 1964 Olympic trials and then replaced the injured Mathis in Tokyo, where he won heavyweight gold. He turned pro in 1965, beat Mathis for the New York version of the title in 1968 and became undisputed champion by stopping Jimmy Ellis in 1970. In March 1971 he met the unbeaten Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden, dropped him with a left hook in the 15th round and won a unanimous decision. He lost the title to George Foreman in 1973, lost two rematches with Ali, the second in the Thrilla in Manila, and finished with a 32-4-1 record.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Undisputed heavyweight champion (1970–1973)
- NYSAC heavyweight champion (1968–1973)
- International Boxing Hall of Fame (1990)
- The Ring Fighter of the Year (1967, 1970, 1971)
- BWAA Fighter of the Year (1969, 1971, 1975)
Defining fights
- 1968WINvs Buster Mathis (TKO 11, won NYSAC heavyweight title)
- 1970WINvs Jimmy Ellis (RTD 4, undisputed heavyweight title)
- 1971WINvs Muhammad Ali (UD 15, Fight of the Century)
- 1973LOSSvs George Foreman (TKO 2, lost title)
- 1975LOSSvs Muhammad Ali (RTD 14, Thrilla in Manila)
Roll under the jab and come up with the left hook: Frazier's bob-and-weave pressure set up the punch that dropped Ali. Drill the roll-to-hook as one motion, then add a right hand for opponents who start waiting for the hook.
