• Joe Frazier 1944-2011

Boxing legend Frazier dies

Dan Rafael: Frazier more than just Ali's foil

Boxing legend and former heavyweight champion of the world Joe Frazier has died after a battle with liver cancer. He was 67.

Frazier, who won 32 of his 37 professional bouts, had been receiving treatment at a hospice in his adopted home town of Philadelphia after being diagnosed with cancer a number of weeks ago. His family confirmed he passed away late on Monday night.

"The world has lost a great champion," his great rival Muhammad Ali said. "I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration."

One of the great names from the golden era of boxing, 'Smokin' Joe' became the first man to defeat Ali when the pair met in 1971, in what would become the first of three famous clashes between the pair. During a storied career he also claimed Olympic gold in 1964 - after only attending the Games in Tokyo as a late replacement - and held WBA and WBC heavyweight world titles between 1970 and 1973.

Frazier's four professional defeats came in four fights against Ali (in 1974 and 1975) and George Foreman (in 1973 and 1976), but they were all-time classic brawls that cemented his status as a great of the sport. His first fight with Ali is commonly known as 'The Fight of the Century', while the 14-round war that ended their trilogy, 'The Thrilla in Manila', is widely regarded as perhaps the most exciting bout in the sport's history.

When the towel was thrown in, against his wishes, in the 14th round of a draining slugfest, Frazier was famously told by his trainer Eddie Futch: "Sit down, son. It's all over. Nobody will ever forget what you did here today."

He never managed to beat the much taller Foreman, suffering knockout losses on both occasions they met, but his compatriot was nevertheless acutely aware of Frazier's ability, famously noting: "Every time he swung at me it scared five years out of my life."

Joe Frazier 'a great champion' has lost his battle with cancer © Getty Images

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Frazier retired following his second defeat to Foreman in 1976, before making a brief return in 1981 with a draw against Floyd Cummings in 1981.

Born in Beaufort, South Carolina on January 12, 1944, Joseph William Frazier was the youngest of 12 children. He was inspired to take up the sport after being told he was reminiscent of the great Joe Louis, going on to train in the slaughterhouse he worked at as a youngster - a scene Sylvester Stallone would later use for the famous Rocky films.

After retiring from the sport for the final time in 1981, he purchased a gym in Philadelphia. He is survived by 11 children and his ex-wife, Florence.

Tributes have already begun to flood in for Frazier, with Foreman saying on Twitter: "Good night Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend."

Floyd Mayweather Jnr, who has offered to pay for the funeral arrangements, added: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the Frazier family. We lost an all time great tonight."

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