JOE FRAZIER FORM HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMP, LOST HIS BATTLE WITH LIVER CANCER

Joe Frazier, former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, who handed his first loss,  but had to live forever in his shadow, died after a brief battle with liver cancer. He was 67.  The family issued a statement confirming the death of the boxer.  Frazier, who took over Ali in three major battles in the 1970s - including the  epic "Thrilla in Manila" - had been under home palliative care at his home in Philadelphia after  being diagnosed a few weeks ago with the cancer that took his life.  "I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration, 'Ali said in a statement on the assassination  of his rival." My sympathy goes to his family and friends. "  In the 1970s the rivalry Frazier, Ali and George Foreman will always be remembered as a golden age of  heavyweight boxing. Boxing promoter Don King called Frazier a giant among men.  "Smokin 'Joe' as he called it, was a small but fierce fighting stifled his opponents with his fists,  with a devastating left hook, he used to finish many of his early struggles.  He was the left hook that floored Ali in the 15th round at Madison Square Garden in 1971 to seal a  victory in the "fight of the century." Although he beat Ali in this fight, Frazier lost two men attack  and for many years was bitter about the role of Ali forced to play as his foil.  "We can not speak without quoting Joe Frazier, Ali," said the former boxing writer Ed Schuyler Jr.  AP "He hit Ali, I will never forget." They fought three times, twice in the heart of New York and  one in the morning on a hot sand in the Philippines. They went all 41 rounds, or with giving an inch,  and the two that gives a whole. In their last match in Manila in 1975, they exchanged blows with a  fervor that seemed unthinkable among the heavyweights. Frazier gave nearly as good as he got in 14 laps,  then had to be restrained by coach Eddie Futch as he tried to go to the final round, unable to see.  "The closest thing to dying that I know Ali said later.  In a brief interview after the fight with one of the commentators said, "Joe Frazier, I'll tell  everyone right now, brings out the best in me. I'll tell you, it's a helluva man, and God bless you.  "It's the best fighter of all time, with me."  Ali was equally ruthless with Frazier outside the ring, because it was inside. He called him a gorilla,  and derided as "Uncle Tom" character. But it all began in 1971, when Frazier won a decision to defend  the heavyweight title fight against the then undefeated Ali, who was a great Frank Sinatra was the  official press photographer for Life magazine, at The Ringside, and both fighters have earned $ 2.5 million surprise  That night, Burt Lancaster was the commentator for the Transmission closed when promoter is hired to  fight for Jerry Perenchio, who was also his friend. Night at the Garden 40 years ago was fresh in mind  Frazier when he spoke of his life, his career and his relationship with Ali a few months before his death.  Frazier told the Associated Press: "I can not go anywhere where it is not mentioned E 'was the greatest thing that ever happened in my life .."  Although slowed in subsequent years, and his difficulty to speak with his fists toll taken in the ring,  Frazier was still active in the circuit autograph a month before he died.  In September, he went to Las Vegas, where he signed autographs in the lobby at MGM Grand hotel-casino  just before Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight Victor Ortiz.  An old friend Gene Kilroy, visited with him to watch Frazier working the crowd.  "He was so kind to everyone," said Kilroy. "He told each of them," Joe Frazier, sharp as a razor, what's your name? '".  Mayweather was one of those paying tribute to Frazier on Twitter, saying: "Smokin Joe RIP. My thoughts  and prayers are with the family of Frazier. We lost a great night all the time."  Tennis star Serena Williams Twitter: "Joe Frazier you were an icon and pioneer of people like me and  loved Inspire Your presence will be missed ..."  Frazier was a little heavy, weighing just 205 pounds when he won the title by stopping Jimmy Ellis  in the fifth round of their fight at Madison Square Garden in 1970.  But he fought every minute of every round goes ahead behind a vicious left hook, and there were few  fighters who could not bear his constant pressure. His reign as heavyweight champion lasted only four fights - including the victory over Ali - before  he found a more formidable hitter than him. George Foreman has responded to the constant attacks of Frazier down three times in the first round  and three in the second before his fight in 1973 in Jamaica was stirred at an end and the world had a new heavyweight champion. Two fights later, he met Ali in a rematch of their first fight, but this time the outcome was different.  Ali won a 12-round decision, and during the year ended, and George Foreman Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire.  There may be a third fight, however, and the struggle it was. With Ali heavyweight title at stake,  the two met in Manila in a battle that will live long in the history of boxing.  Frazier was after Ali round after round, landing a left hook retracted regularly as Ali around the ring.  But Ali said left jab and right, which has found its mark again and again.  Even the intense heat inside the arena could not stop the two as they fought every minute of every round,  with neither willing to concede the second of the second round.  "They told me Joe Frazier was through, Frazier, Ali said at some point in the battle.  "They told you wrong," said Frazier before hitting Ali with a left hook.  Finally, if Frazier could not see and Futch would not let go by the 15 th round. Ali won the fight,  while on his bench, exhausted and to consider moving on. It was one of the best fights ever, but took its toll.  Frazier had fought only twice, to get eliminated in the rematch with Foreman's eight months later,  before returning in 1981, ill-advised fight against Jumbo Cummings. HIE retired with the Record 4.1.32,  his only loss coming in the hands of Ali and Foreman. "They must have both retired after the battle of Manila,"  said Schuyler. "They left every bit of talent they had in the ring that day."  Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, January 12, 1944 as the youngest of 12 children, took boxing Frazier,  shortly after the battles seen weekly on television in black and white in a small family farm.  He was a top amateur for many years and was the only American fighter to win an Olympic gold medal in 1964  in Tokyo, despite the fighting in the final with an injured left thumb.  "Joe Frazier should be remembered as one of the greatest fighters of all time and a real man,"  promoter Bob Arum told the AP telephone interview Monday night.  "He's the guy who defended himself. He did not compromise, and always gave 100 percent in the ring.  It was never to fight in the ring with Joe has given 100 percent.  After turning pro in 1965, Frazier has quickly become known for the power punches, stopping his opponent in November 1.  In three years, he fought world class opposition and in 1970, Ellis fight to win the heavyweight title he held for over two years.  This is his fight with Ali, however, defining Frazier.  While Ali was a gracious defeat in the first fight, as it was his words when he was promoting his  fists in all three fights - and he has never missed the opportunity to jab at Frazier.  Frazier, who in his later years would be in financial difficulties and eventually made his way a gym  in his hometown of Philadelphia, took the jabs personally.  He knew, Ali mocked him, calling him names and said things that are not true just to get to his skin.  These feelings were amplified as Ali went from being an icon in the ring to one of the most beloved characters in the world.  After an earthquake is Ali Olympic torch in Atlanta in 1996, Frazier was interviewed by a reporter what he thought.  "They should have thrown," said Frazier.  He softened, but in recent years, preferring to remember the good from his fights with Ali instead of bad.  Just before the 40 anniversary of his victory earlier this year, Ali - Frazier day is celebrated with parties  in New York - said he no longer felt any resentment, Ali.  "I forgive him," said Mr. Frazier. "It is in a bad way."  Frazier's daughter, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, decided at the age of 38 years to follow his father into  the ring and fought in 2001, the daughter of Ali, Laila Ali, but lost in the eighth round.