Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier has lost his battle with liver cancer. So sad! RIP! More details after the jump.
Late Monday night, the family of Smokin’ Joe Frazier issued this statement:
“We The Family of the 1964 Olympic Boxing Heavyweight Gold Medalist, Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame Member Smokin’ Joe Frazier, regrets to inform you of his passing. He transitioned from this life as “One of God’s Men,” on the eve of November 7, 2011at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We thank you for your prayers for our Father and vast outpouring of love and support.
Respectfully, we request time to grieve privately as a family. Our father’s home going celebration will be announced as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.”
Recently, the 67-year-old boxer has been in hospice care.
Leslie Wolff, who has been the fighter’s manager for seven years, said Frazier has been flooded with get-well messages from former boxers and fans.
“There is evidence that there are certain people that fight much harder than other people, and in doing so, they last longer,” Wolff said earlier Monday. “They have the heart of a champion. Joe ain’t no quitter. Even in this struggle, he’s showing people you don’t give up.”
