NO. 6 JOE FRAZIER
Record: 32-4-1 (27 KOs)
Years active: 1965-76; ’81
Title reigns: One (1968-73)
Among his victims: Muhammad Ali, Joe Bugner, Oscar Bonavena (twice), George Chuvalo, Jimmy Ellis (twice), Bob Foster, Doug Jones, Eddie Machen, Jerry Quarry
Background: Smokin’ Joe was a whirling dervish of a heavyweight, a bobbing-and-weaving ball of energy who could end any fight instantaneously with one of the most lethal left hooks ever seen in the ring. Frazier took advantage of the void left by Muhammad – who lost his title after refusing induction into the U.S. armed forces – by gaining partial recognition as heavyweight champion when he knocked out Buster Mathis in 1968. He gained full recognition when he stopped Jimmy Ellis two years later. Of course, Frazier had to beat the man – Ali, who had made his return to boxing – to be fully accepted as the No. 1 heavyweight. And he did. In the 1971 “Fight of the Century,” one of the most-hyped sporting events in history, Frazier punctuated a superb effort by putting his rival down in the 15th and final round and won unanimous decision. Frazier lost his title by knockout to the fearsome George Foreman two years later and would never be quite the same. However, there were more thrills ahead, namely two losses to Ali. The second, the “Thrilla in Manila,” is among the greatest fights of all time. Frazier was great even in defeat.