Special feature: Greatest heavyweights of the modern era

Boxing Junkie presents in this special feature its list of the 10 greatest heavyweights of the modern era.

  1. JOE FRAZIER
    Years active: 1965-76; 1981
    Record: 32-4-1 (27 KOs)
    Championship reign(s): 1968-73
    Biggest victories: Oscar Bonavena, Eddie Machen, Muhammad Ali, Buster Mathis, Jerry Quarry (twice), Jimmy Ellis (twice)
    Biggest losses: George Foreman (twice), Muhammad Ali (twice)
    Background: Frazier is probably best known for the left hook that put Muhammad Ali on his behind in their first of three fights, which Smokin’ Joe won by decision to retain his title, but he was more than that – much more. The 5-foot-11 ball of energy and destructive power – and the 1964 Olympic heavyweight champion – terrorized the division from the time he turned pro in 1965. He knocked off, among others, Oscar Bonavena, Eddie Machen and Doug Jones to earn a fight with Buster Mathis for the vacant heavyweight title and won by 11th-round knockout. He successfully defended nine times – including victories over Bonavena, Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis and Ali in that first fight – before he ran into a force of nature more powerful than he was in 1973, George Foreman, who stopped Frazier in two rounds to become champion. Frazier was never quite the same he did give us two more classic fights against Ali, including the epic Thrilla in Manilla, to seal his place in boxing lore.
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