03/04/1968 - Joe Frazier

Joseph William Frazier (January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011), nicknamed “Smokin’ Joe“competed from 1965 to 1981. He was known for his strength, durability, formidable left hand, and relentless pressure fighting style.  On March 4, 1968, in front of a capacity crowd in Madison Square Garden, Smokin Joe Frazier knocked a Buster Mathis out in the eleventh round of a battle that would decide who would retain Muhammad Ali’s vacated Heavyweight Title. The fight came with great controversy as Ali was considered the true champion, but because of his well documented refusal to serve in Vietnam his title was stripped. A new champion would be crowned, and that new champion’s name would be Joe Frazier.