Welcome to ELIBIM ENTERTAINMENT......

BOXING LEGEND JOE FRAZIER DIES AT 67

Reports of Frazier's deteriorating condition emerged on Saturday, stunning fight fans, pundits and his fellow professionals.
Muhammad Ali, who clashed with Smokin' Joe in a classic trilogy, led the prayers as good wishes flooded in for the 67-year-old American.

But sadly Frazier was unable to win the toughest fight of his life and died this morning.
Tributes immediately began pouring in after the news broke, with Ali leading the way.
The Greatest said: "The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration.
"My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones."
Britain's former undisputed heavyweight king Lennox Lewis added: "I am extremely saddened at the news of the passing of Smokin' Joe.
"He made history in the greatest era ever of heavyweight boxing and his contributions to the sport are profound and immeasurable.
"My deepest sympathies go out to the Frazier family during this time of loss and grief and I would like them to know that they are in my prayers.
"He will be missed but never forgotten. May he rest in peace."
Frazier won Olympic gold for the United States at the 1964 Games before enjoying a successful pro career.
He captured both the WBC and WBA world heavyweight titles and boasted a record of 32 wins from 37 fights when he walked away from boxing for good in 1981.
But it was his fights with Ali which cemented his place in the history books.
He retained the WBC and WBA belts against his fierce rival via unanimous decision after 15 rounds at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden in 1971.
The victory also saw him pick up the prestigious Ring belt but he was on the wrong end of a points decision when the duo met again at the same venue three years later.
Frazier boxed Ali for the third and final time in The Thrilla in Manila in 1975, only to be pulled out of the showdown by trainer Eddie Futch after 14 brutal rounds.
Undefeated welterweight Floyd Mayweather was one of many fighters who took to Twitter to pay his respects.
He tweeted: "RIP Smokin' Joe. My thoughts and prayers go out to to the Frazier family. We lost an all-time great tonight."
Money later added: "My condolences go out to the family of the great Joe Frazier. The Money Team will pay for his funeral services."
And George Foreman summed up the feelings of many involved with the sweet science simply by tweeting: "Good night Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend."
Boxing promoter and SunSport columnist Frank Warren also paid tribute to Philadelphia's finest.
Warren said: "He was part of that era of the best heavyweights there have ever been.
"The trilogy of fights he had with Ali, the tough fight he had with Foreman and the good wins on the way — he was one of the most exciting heavyweights ever.
"People talk about Mike Tyson at the age of 21 but Frazier, when he was a young fella, was every bit as good as — if not better than — Iron Mike."
Everyone at SunSport sends their best wishes to the Frazier family at this sad time.

No comments:

Post a Comment