Joe Frazier

American boxer (1944–2011)

Source-basedStable

Lived 1944–2011, aged 67United States

United States AthletesActor

Fame43.2
Momentum3.2
Athletes rank#46
Wikipedia53.4K

Wikipedia
65 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1944–2011
Aged 67

Summary

Updated 2026-05-29

Smokin' Joe Frazier threw hands from 1965 to '81 with a left hook that made heavyweights flinch. Undisputed champ from 1970-73, he's the one who actually beat Muhammad Ali first, in 1971.

Biography

About

Joseph William Frazier was an American professional boxer who competed from 1965 to 1981. Nicknamed "Smokin'", he was known for his strength, durability, formidable left hand, and relentless pressure fighting style. He won a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics as an amateur, held the NYSAC heavyweight title from 1968 to 1973, and was the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1970 to 1973. In 1971, Frazier became the first boxer to defeat Muhammad Ali.

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