Joe Frazier

Born: 1944-01-12

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.


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as Himself
Released: 1976-11-20

An uneducated collector for a Philadelphia loan shark is given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...

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When We Were Kings

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1996-10-25

It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten...

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Tokyo Olympiad

as Self
Released: 1965-03-20

This impressionistic portrait of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics pays as much attention to the...

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Facing Ali

as Self
Released: 2009-05-29

Ten of Muhammad Ali's former rivals pay tribute to the three-time world heavyweight champion.

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WrestleMania II

as Himself
Released: 1986-04-07

Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper in a Boxing match Battle Royal featuring superstars and athletes from the...

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Just the Ticket

as himself
Released: 1998-02-01

Gary Starke is one of the best ticket scalpers in New York City. His girlfriend, Linda, doesn't...

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as Self
Released: 1971-03-08

Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali, billed as The Fight Of The Century or simply The Fight, was a...

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Champions Forever

as Self
Released: 1989-11-01

No other film has the sweeping review of Ali's greatest fights, the legendary fight footage, and...

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Thrilla in Manila

as Himself
Released: 2008-11-11

On October 1, 1975, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali was in the ring with his arch...

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The Fighters

as Self
Released: 1974-01-01

Behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling the Fight of the Century between Joe Frazier and...

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Muhammad Ali The Whole Story

as Self
Released: 1996-09-03

Muhammad Ali. He is known as the most thrilling athlete of all time... he is known as The...

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Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II

as Self
Released: 1974-01-28

Ali vs. Frazier II was a boxing fight, the second of three bouts between Muhammad Ali and Joe...

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The rumble in the jungle: George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali

as Commentator
Released: 1974-10-30

George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali, billed as The Rumble in the Jungle, was a heavyweight...

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Ghost Fever

as Terrible Tucker
Released: 1987-03-27

Two policeman are sent on a routine assignment to serve an eviction notice. It becomes anything...

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Jim Brown: All-American

as Self (uncredited)
Released: 2002-03-22

Jim Brown: All-American is a 2002 documentary film directed by Spike Lee. The film takes a look...

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Night of 100 Stars III

as Self
Released: 1990-05-21

A celebrity benefit for The Actors' Fund of America, featuring music, songs, dance and comedy.

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Ali the Man: Ali the Fighter

as Self
Released: 1975-09-01

Ali the Fighter was made in 1975, when the Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fight was still fresh in...

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Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III

as Self
Released: 1975-10-01

Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier lll, billed as the "Thrilla in Manila", was the third and final...

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NWA Starrcade '84: The Million Dollar Challenge

as "Smokin" Joe Frazier (Referee/Ringside Judge)
Released: 1984-11-22

One million dollars is on the line as NWA World's Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair takes on Dusty...

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Thrilla in Manila

as Self
Released: 2019-06-01

The 'Thrilla in Manila' was the third and final epic contest between the irrepressible...

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Home of Angels

as uncredited
Released: 1994-01-01

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Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman

as Self
Released: 1973-02-22

Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman, billed as The Sunshine Showdown, was a professional boxing match...

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Champions Forever - World Heavyweight Champs!

as Himself
Released: 2000-05-17

Previously unseen footage, seeing and hearing the champions interviewed and talking to each...

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George Foreman vs Joe Frazier II

as Self
Released: 1976-06-15

A professional boxing match contested on June 15, 1976, for the NABF heavyweight championship.

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The Fight

as Himself
Released: 1974-01-01

In 1971, maverick filmmaker William Greaves trained his cameras on both Muhammad Ali and his...

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Fight of the Century

as Self
Released: 1971-03-08

Legendary boxing match between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali in Madison Square Garden on March 8,...

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The Simpsons

as Joe Frazier (voice)
First aired: 1989-12-17

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday...

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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

as Self
First aired: 1962-10-01

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight...

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WWE Raw

as Self
First aired: 1993-01-11

A regularly scheduled, live, year-round program featuring some of the biggest WWE Superstars.

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The Dick Cavett Show

as Self - Guest
First aired: 1968-06-06

The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various...

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The Mike Douglas Show

as Self
First aired: 1961-12-11

The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that...

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Wogan

as Self
First aired: 1982-05-04

Chat show hosted by Terry Wogan, featuring live studio interviews with famous and notable...

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The Jeffersons

as uncredited
First aired: 1975-01-18

Sitcom following a successful African-American couple, George and Louise “Weezyö Jefferson as...

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Movin' On

as uncredited
First aired: 1974-05-08

Movin' On is an American drama series that ran for two seasons, between 1974 and 1976. It...

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TV Funhouse

as Self
First aired: 2000-12-06

In this spin-off of the Saturday Night Live TV Funhouse cartoons, happy-go-lucky Doug hosts a...

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Glory Days

as Joe Frazier
First aired: 1990-07-25

Glory Days is an American drama television series that aired from July 25 until September 13,...

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Die Muhammad Ali Story

as Joe Frazier
First aired: 1996-01-01

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