Farewell To A Legendary Champion, And An Even Better Man

On Monday, November 7th, the world lost a champion. It also lost a symbol, one of hard work, dedication and class. Joe Frazier, the beloved "Smokin' Joe" of Philadelphia, was a hero to one segment of society in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the one that tended to be more conservative and blue collar. For this, he was ridiculed by the man who would become his arch nemesis, and eternal opponent, the former Cassius Clay, Muhammed Ali. Not to be out done and walked upon, Joe insisted on calling Ali "Clay", because, as he explained, that was the name his parents gave him.

This societal backdrop is really now just a footnote to this period because the fights they staged, epic battles all, became the stuff of legend, as they should be. Ali won the last two, including the "Thrilla in Manila", when Ali remarked afterward that it was the "closest thing to death" that he could think of. This was a classic match, with the second one, in 1974, much more average. The everlasting image, however, will always be the first fight, on March 8th, 1971 ... the true Fight of the Century.

It was the hard hat Frazier vs. the draft dodging braggart; lunch pail vs. flash and speed; short vs. tall; a devoted Christian vs. a new convert to Islam; a soulful and proud man not prone to boast vs. a human news reel of quotes. If you weren't around to witness this fight and all of these elements at play, you can see from these discriptions how intriguing and passionate it was ... how people took sides, how much it gripped the world's attention. I can remember people listening that night to the round-by-round re-cap on the radio.

Joe won the fight that night, sending Ali to the canvas in the 15th and final round and becoming the first man to defeat the sensational boxer from Louisville. That he did so convincingly was a joy to the legions of people who loved Joe, and despised Ali. Nevertheless, Joe Frazier did not boast and denigrate the defeated Ali ... he simply, and proudly, moved on. His performance that night earned him a spot on the planet of boxing immortals. He joined Johnson, Dempsey, Louis, Marciano and yes, Ali.

So long, Joe, and thanks for your years on this Earth, years that brought joy to your many millions of admirers, and satisfaction to yourself for knowing you did the job well.

As the late Branch Rickey once said, "It is not the honor you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind." Joe Frazier leaves behind a heritage of courage, class, and conviction. He will be missed, but more importantly, fondly and always, remembered.