Joe Frazier.

Joe Frazier. Joe Frazier, born in 1944, American boxer, who won the gold medal in the heavyweight class (now called super heavyweight) at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. He later became the world professional heavyweight champion, and his three bouts with American Muhammad Ali rank among the greatest matches in boxing history. Joseph Frazier was born in Beaufort, South Carolina. He began his boxing career in the early 1960s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the 1964 United States Olympic boxing trials, Frazier lost to Buster Mathis in the finals. When Mathis broke his finger in training, however, Frazier became the heavyweight entry for the United States. Frazier won the gold medal at the Olympics, recording three knockouts in four bouts. He turned professional in 1965. In 1967, Ali, who was the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion at the time, was stripped of his title because he had refused induction into the U.S. Army. The following year American Jimmy Ellis won a tournament organized by the WBA to fill the vacant title. Frazier did not participate in the tournament. Instead, the New York State Athletic Commission and several other state athletic commissions recognized Frazier as the world heavyweight champion after he defeated Mathis in a bout that same year. In 1970 Frazier defeated Ellis, gaining the WBA heavyweight championship and unifying the world heavyweight title. By 1971 Ali had been cleared to fight again, and Frazier met him in a championship bout in New York City. The fight, one of the most publicized events in the history of the sport, was an intriguing match-up because Frazier was known for his relentless, slugging style, while Ali blended speed, grace, and power. After 15 hard-fought rounds, Frazier retained his title with a unanimous decision. Frazier lost the WBA heavyweight title to American George Foreman in 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica. The next year Frazier fought Ali again in New York City, but lost. In 1975 Frazier and Ali fought for a third time in Manila, Philippines. Frazier lost this bout as well, and after losing to Foreman a second time in 1976, he retired. He attempted a comeback in 1981 but only fought once, gaining a draw. His career record was 32 wins (27 by knockout), 4 losses, and 1 draw. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1989. The following year he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, as a member of the first class of inductees. Frazier's autobiography, Smokin' Joe, titled after his boxing nickname, was published in 1996. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.