Frazier, Joe (1944– )

US boxer. Nicknamed ‘Smokin' Joe’, he was world heavyweight champion 1970–73. In 1971 he became the first person to defeat Muhammad Ali in a professional fight. He won the Olympic heavyweight title in 1964.

Career highlights

Professional record (1969–97) fights: 37; wins: 32 (27 inside the distance); draws: 1; defeats: 4

Olympic Games gold heavyweight 1964

WBA heavyweight champion 1968–70

World heavyweight champion 1970–73

He turned professional in 1965. In 1968 he won a series of contests organized by the WBC (World Boxing Council) to find a world heavyweight champion to succeed Muhammad Ali, who had been stripped of his title after refusing to be drafted into the armed services. He became the universally recognized champion in 1970 by beating the WBA's (World Boxing Association) titleholder Jimmy Ellis, in four rounds. In 1971 he defeated Muhammad Ali over 15 rounds at Madison Square Garden, New York, in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest contests of all time. Two years later, however, he lost his title to George Foreman. He had two more epic world title fights with Ali in 1974 and 1975 but was unable to repeat his earlier success.