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Permalink Reply by Brick Hunter on November 7, 2011 at 10:03pm

Smokin' Joe was a tribute to the sport. It didn't take 14 rounds this time. Hopefully that was easier than living longer with the debilitating cancer. I met and got his autograph at a convention. Definitely one of the greatest.

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on November 8, 2011 at 6:59am

Very true.  That liver cancer he had is one of the worst to have so I hope he passed without pain.  That is fantastic that you have his autograph because it is a highly desirable signature from a great man

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Permalink Reply by CEE GEE on November 8, 2011 at 8:11am

He will be missed...he was a true legend in the world of Boxing...

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Permalink Reply by Brick Hunter on November 8, 2011 at 10:18pm

Very true, Mike. I hope, a little too late, that Frazier will finally get his just due. This was a gold medal winner at the Olympics. Someone who faced opponents like Ali and especially Foreman who dwarfed him. Foreman had nine inches of reach on him. Definitely a great guy when I met him as well and he signed everything.

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Permalink Reply by EjsWurhl on November 8, 2011 at 10:42pm

I never got to meet him Mike.  Any stories? Would he sign for free?

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Permalink Reply by Sidney Fields on November 9, 2011 at 1:12am

Great champion and nice guy when you met him.  But susceptible to poor influences...especially when he needed cash.  

There was an incident at the Boxing Hall of Fame in the late 90's.  He had a tent and was signing autographs for a few a bucks.  Big crowd.  He kept signing after the ceremony started.  Then finally meandered over himself and they had to interrupt the ceremony to introduce him as he took his seat.  Disrespectful of the other champs, fighters and fans.  Later that day Joe's "guy" harassed someone who was just snapping photos outdoors on Hall of Fame property.

The incident led the Hall to stop permitting people to charge for autographs on its property.  That was a smart move since the annual inductions are generally a very fan-friendly event with the greatest stars typically talking with and signing for fans.

The sad thing though is that I don't believe Joe Frazier ever again came to the annual inductions after that event.

 

 

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Rich on November 9, 2011 at 8:09am

Very saddened by this.  I'd been looking forward to finally meeting him at Mounted Memories Sun-Times Sports Show in two weeks.

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Permalink Reply by Josh Board on November 11, 2011 at 12:13am

Met him a few times. Always generous at signing.

One time, he was with his son (who got thrashed in the ring by Mike Tyson).

Both of them had slurred speech from the years of punishment, but super nice.

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