Who Is Joe Frazier? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Joe Frazier, born on January 12, 1944, in Beaufort, South Carolina, is remembered as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history. Frazier, also known as "Smokin' Joe," gained fame during the late 1960s and 70s, and he is best known for his epic trilogy of fights against Muhammad Ali. His aggressive fighting style and unmatched determination made him a symbol of resilience in the sport. Frazier passed away on November 7, 2011, but his legacy continues to live on through the generations of fans and boxers he inspired.
| Occupation | Sports |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 12, 1944 |
| Age | 67 Years |
| Birth Place | Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 7 November, 2011 |
| Died Place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Popularity
Joe Frazier's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
During his boxing career, Joe Frazier stood at 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall and typically weighed between 205–210 pounds (93–95 kg) during his fights. His muscular build and powerful punches made him a formidable opponent in the ring. Frazier's impressive physique complemented his relentless fighting approach, contributing to his success as a heavyweight champion.
Not long after Frazier started working, his left arm was seriously injured while he was running from the family's 300-pound hog. One day, Frazier poked the hog with a stick and ran away. The gate to the pigpen was open, however, and the hog chased him. Frazier fell and hit his left arm on a brick.
His arm was torn badly, but as the family could not afford a doctor, the arm had to heal on its own. He was never able to keep it fully straight again.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Joe Frazier was married to his long-time love, Florence Frazier. Together, they had five children: Marvis, Joe Jr., Jackie, and two daughters, one of whom is adopted. Frazier was known for his deep sense of family values, often expressing how crucial his family was to his life and career. Being a father was a significant part of his identity, and he often shared stories and experiences about his children and their achievements.
He was raised in Laurel Bay, South Carolina, a rural community in Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Frazier said that he was always close to his father, who carried him when he was a toddler "over the 10 acres of farmland" the Fraziers worked as sharecroppers "to the still where he made his bootleg corn liquor, and into town on Saturdays to buy the necessities that a family of 10 needed." He was affectionately called "Billie Boy".
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2011, Joe Frazier’s estimated net worth stood at around $100,000 to $1 million. Despite earning millions through boxing, promotional deals, and other endeavors, Frazier faced various financial challenges throughout his life, especially after retiring from boxing. His earnings were primarily derived from his boxing matches, endorsements, and a brief stint in acting, which included appearances in several films.
According to an article from The New York Times, "over the years, Frazier has lost a fortune through a combination of his own generosity and naïveté, his carousing, and failed business opportunities.
The other headliners from his fighting days—Ali, George Foreman, and Larry Holmes—are millionaires." Asked about his situation, Frazier became playfully defensive, but would not reveal his financial status. "Are you asking me how much money I have?" he said. "I got plenty of money.
I got a stack of $100 bills rolled up over there in the back of the room." Frazier blamed himself, partly, for not effectively promoting his own image. In a 2006 HBO documentary on the fight in Manila, Frazier was interviewed living in his one-room apartment on the second floor of his gym in Philadelphia.
Frazier also traveled the country with his marketing manager, Mercedes Ganon, filming an independent documentary, and researching for a feature film on Frazer, which Penny Marshall was attached to direct and produce.
Career, Business, and Investments
Joe Frazier's boxing career is characterized by notable achievements, including becoming the heavyweight champion of the world. He earned a reputation for his stamina and punching power, culminating in his legendary fights with Muhammad Ali, which made him a household name. After retiring from boxing, Frazier's career took different turns including managing a boxing gym and appearing on television. He also opened several successful businesses, including a barbecue restaurant in Philadelphia. His financial acumen, however, faced challenges leading to varied business successes and setbacks alike.
His style was often compared with that of Henry Armstrong and occasionally Rocky Marciano and was dependent on bobbing, weaving, and relentless pressure to wear down his opponents. His best-known punch was a powerful left hook, which accounted for most of his knockouts.
In his career, he lost to only two fighters, both former Olympic and world heavyweight champions: twice to Muhammad Ali and twice to George Foreman.
Social Network
Although Joe Frazier is no longer alive, his legacy continues to be celebrated across various social media platforms. Fans, former boxers, and sports enthusiasts remember him through countless tributes on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Frazier's influence in boxing is frequently highlighted in discussions about the sport's history and its greatest athletes, keeping his spirit very much alive in the boxing community.
During Frazier's amateur career, he won Golden Gloves heavyweight championships in 1962, 1963, and 1964. His only loss in three years as an amateur was to Buster Mathis. Mathis would prove to be Joe's biggest obstacle to making the 1964 U.S. Olympic boxing team. They met in the final of the U.S.
Olympic trials at the New York World's Fair in the summer of 1964. Their fight was scheduled for three rounds and they fought with 10-oz gloves and with headgear, but the boxers who made it to Tokyo would wear no headgear and would wear 8-oz gloves.
Frazier was eager to get back at Mathis for his only amateur loss and knocked out two opponents to get to the finals. However, once again when the dust settled, the judges had called it for Mathis, undeservedly Joe thought. "All that fat boy had done was run like a thief- hit me with a peck and backpedal like crazy," he would remark.
Education
Joe Frazier attended the local schools in South Carolina and later moved to Philadelphia, where he continued his education while also training in boxing. While he achieved immense acclaim in the ring, Frazier's educational background was more focused on his passion for boxing rather than formal academic pursuits. His talent and hard work led him to become one of the greatest heavyweight boxers, proving that dedication often outshines formal education in achieving one's dreams.
The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1967, 1970, and 1971, and the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1969, 1971, and 1975. In 1999, The Ring ranked him the eighth greatest heavyweight.
He is an inductee of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame, having been a part of the inaugural induction class of 1990 for the IBHF.
