THE boxing world paid tribute to former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier after the warrior whose toughness resonated with the blue collar everyman died at the age of 67. “The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration. My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.” – Muhammad Ali, who had three memorable fights against Frazier.
“He proved himself in the first fight to be a great, great man and a great, great warrior. The third fight was the greatest fight in the history of boxing ever. The greatest fight ever! I still remember leaving the coliseum in Manila and going outside.
“The sun was so high in the sky beating down on us. It was almost eerie. It was unworldly what we had just seen – two men fighting one of the great wars of all-time. It’s something I will never forget for all the years I have left. Joe Frazier should be remembered as one of the greatest fighters of all-time and a real man.
“He’s a guy that stood up for himself. He didn’t compromise and always gave 100 percent in the ring. There was never a fight in the ring where Joe didn’t give 100 percent.” – Promoter Bob Arum on Frazier and his fights with Ali.
“Good night Joe Frazier. I love you, dear friend.” – former heavyweight champion George Foreman, posted to his Twitter account.
“Joe Frazier was relentless. Here was a man about 5ft 10, he weighed about a stone lighter than myself; but he was so courageous and ferocious, you had to literally hit him with a sledgehammer to put him away.
“In 1973 I was 23 years old. I became a man after that fight because I realised you can’t go through a career like boxing without seeing and feeling the power of the greats. I happened to have the privilege of fighting Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali and a few others but those two to me were the greatest.
Joe took everything away I thought I had and made me realise I needed more if I was going to succeed. I needed a lot more. I’m so proud I fought him and I’m so proud he came to my birthday last year. It hit me like a lightning bolt when I heard he died.” – Joe Bugner, who lost to Frazier five months after being beaten by Ali in 1973, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I am extremely saddened at the news of the passing of former world heavyweight champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier. He made history in the greatest era ever of heavyweight boxing and his contributions to the sport are profound and immeasurable.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the Frazier family during this time of loss and grief and I would like them to know that they are in my prayers. He will be missed but never forgotten. May he rest in peace.” – Britain’s former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
“He was a huge fighter, huge champion, huge personality. I didn’t have a chance to see his fights live because in 1971 I was just born, when Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali. In the Soviet Union professional boxing was forbidden but we studied and listened about this fighter a lot, and after that we had a chance to see the fights.
“It was a great lesson for all new generations. I didn’t have a chance to meet him personally but I listened about him so much and that’s why he will be always in the memory of the new generations.
“He was a great fighter and for me and my brother I want to say sorry for the whole of boxing because he died and together with him died a big era of great champions.” – WBC champion Vitali Klitschko told the BBC.
“About two or three years ago, everybody was asking me why I was fighting. Joe Frazier said you fight as long as you feel you can do it and win with dignity. That was in Joe Hand’s Gym while I was in Philly.
I told him I could and that I was in great shape. He walked out of the place. I remember that. Those few minutes were like an hour. You’ve got to listen to him and listen to him clearly. There’s no way in the world you should come to Philadelphia and not recognise who Joe Frazier is.
“It’s the perfect time to build the biggest statue in appreciation for all the heart and love he gave to Philadelphia. It’s just to say how we regret when it’s not there to touch and see. We didn’t realise we had a super special person amongst us that we all in a way took for granted. I said this when he was living, I say this now. That’s the only thing.” – WBC light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins.
“He was part of that era of the best heavyweights there have ever been. The trilogy of fights that he had with Muhammad Ali, the tough fight he had with George Foreman and the good wins on the way – he was one of the most exciting heavyweights ever.
“People talk about Mike Tyson at the age of 21 – Joe Frazier, when he was a young fella, was every bit (as good as), if not better than, Mike Tyson.” – Promoter Frank Warren told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Condolences go out to the family of the late great Joe Frazier. The Money Team will pay for funeral services.” – WBC world welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr posted to his Twitter account.
“Boxing lost a great champion, and the sport lost a great ambassador.” – eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. (Eurosport)