Joe Frazier: Boxer forever remembered for his epic fights against Muhammad Ali
Joe Frazier – "Smokin' Joe" – will be remembered as one of the finest heavyweight champions, a fighter of rare will and commitment who played a leading role in what is regarded as the greatest period of heavyweight history, the early- to mid-1970s, in which he held centre-stage with the man with whom his name will be forever linked, Muhammad Ali. In three epic encounters, beginning in 1971 and culminating four years later in "the Thrilla in Manila", Frazier and Ali redefined the term "champion", proving that titles and belts often have little bearing on a fighter's claim to greatness. As Ali put it, "I couldn't be what I am without him and he couldn't be what he is without me."