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Millions of people have been touched by the death Monday night of boxing icon Joe Frazier. Frazier passed away last night of liver cancer, and remains one of boxing’s true legends.
On Twitter after hearing of Frazier's death, Floyd Mayweather Jr. tweeted, "My condolences go out to the family of the late great Joe Frazier. #TheMoneyTeam will pay for his Funeral services." Mayweather extended a similar gesture, earlier this year when he paid for for the funeral Genaro Hernandez.
Frazier, struggled financially after his boxing career ended. According to th LA Times, Frazier "made public appearances to earn income, such as one just this summer at Saratoga Race Track in New York to commemorate the 40-year anniversary of the first fight in his epic trilogy against Muhammad Ali. Those who were there were concerned by how frail Frazier looked. On Saturday, word came he was receiving hospice care -- near death."
Frazier beat Muhammad Ali for the Heavyweight Championship of the World at Madison Square Garden in 1971 and the 2 men men endured a lifelong, intense, personal rivalry. “Smokin’ Joe” battled “The Greatest” 3 times.
In a 1971 bout nicknamed the "Fight of the Century," at Madison Square Garden, an estimated 300 million watched when Frazier beat Ali. The loss at the Garden was Ali's first. Frazier knocked Ali down in the 15th round with his "signature" left hook and won the fight by decision.
In 1975, in his third fight against Ali, Frazier lost in the infamous "Thrilla in Manilla," on a decision to Ali. "
Ali wrote a statement today saying that the "world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration. My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones."
Frazier lost 4 fights of which 2 were to Ali and 2 to George Foreman. Foreman also posted on Twitter saying "Good night Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend."
On Saturday night in Las Vegas a 10-count will be performed in Frazier's memory.
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I was very sad to hear this last evening . I found myself on google, wanting to find if Muhammed Ali had made a comment on this. I was pleased to see that he had commented with dignity and grace .