About

Known credits:
34
Birthday:
1944-01-12
Place of birth:
Beaufort, South Carolina
Website:
N/A

Joe Frazier

Overview

Joseph William "Joe" Frazier, known as "Smokin" Joe, is a former Olympic and World Heavyweight boxing champion, whose professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a brief comeback in 1981.

Frazier emerged as a contender in the mid-1960s, defeating Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones and Jimmy Ellis en route to becoming undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970, and followed up by defeating Muhammad Ali in the highly-anticipated "Fight of the Century" in 1971. Two years later Frazier lost his title when he was knocked out by George Foreman. He launched a comeback, beating Joe Bugner, losing a rematch to Ali, and beating Quarry and Ellis again.

Frazier's last world title challenge came in 1975, but he was beaten by Ali in their brutal rubbermatch. He retired in 1976 following a second loss to Foreman. He made a comeback in 1981, fighting just once, before retiring for good. The International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) rates Frazier among the ten greatest heavyweights of all time. He is an inductee of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Frazier's style was often compared to that of Henry Armstrong, dependent on bobbing, weaving and wearing down his opponents with relentless pressure. His best known punch was a powerful left hook, which accounted for most of his knockouts. Compared to Ali's style, he was close enough to the ideal bruiser that some in the press and media characterized the bouts as the answer to the classic question: "What happens when a boxer meets with a brawler?"

Since retiring Frazier has made cameo appearances in several Hollywood movies, and two episodes of The Simpsons. His son Marvis also became a boxer - trained by Frazier himself - although was unable to emulate his father's success. Frazier continues to train fighters in his gym in Philadelphia. His later years have also seen the continuation of his bitter rivalry with Ali, in which the two periodically exchange insults, interspersed with brief reconciliations.

Known for

Acting
2019 Thrilla in Manila Actor Self N/A
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2012 Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears Actor 59
Average
2009 Facing Ali Actor Self 60
Fair
2008 Thrilla in Manila Actor Himself 59
Average
2008 Secret Talents of the Stars Actor N/A
N/A
2004 The Next Great Champ Actor N/A
N/A
2002 Jim Brown: All-American Actor Self (uncredited) 58
Average
2000 Ali-Frazier I: One Nation... Divisible Actor Self N/A
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2000 Champions Forever - World Heavyweight Champs! Actor Himself N/A
N/A
1999 Muhammad Ali - The Greatest Collection Actor N/A
N/A
1998 Just the Ticket Actor himself 58
Average
1996 A Christmas Journey Home Actor Tough Guy N/A
N/A
1996 When We Were Kings Actor Self (archive footage) 64
Fair
1996 Muhammad Ali The Whole Story Actor Self 59
Average
1996 Die Muhammad Ali Story Actor Joe Frazier N/A
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1994 Home of Angels Actor N/A
N/A
1990 Night of 100 Stars III Actor Self 59
Average
1989 Champions Forever Actor Self 59
Average
1987 Ghost Fever Actor Terrible Tucker 58
Average
1986 WrestleMania II Actor Himself 59
Average
1984 NWA Starrcade '84: The Million Dollar Challenge Actor "Smokin" Joe Frazier (Referee/Ringside Judge) 59
Average
1976 Rocky Actor Himself 76
Good
1976 George Foreman vs Joe Frazier II Actor Self N/A
N/A
1975 Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III Actor Self 59
Average
1975 Ali the Man: Ali the Fighter Actor Self N/A
N/A
1974 The rumble in the jungle: George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali Actor Commentator N/A
N/A
1974 Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II Actor Self N/A
N/A
1974 The Fighters Actor Self N/A
N/A
1974 The Fight Actor Himself N/A
N/A
1973 Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman Actor Self N/A
N/A
1971 Fight of the Century Actor Self N/A
N/A
1971 Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier I Actor Self N/A
N/A
1965 Tokyo Olympiad Actor Self 60
Fair

Crew
2007 American Gangster Crew Thanks 74
Good