THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 22: JOE FRAZIER AFTER THRILLA
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 27 Oct 2025
In 1976, Joe Frazier fought George Foreman for a second time. Frazier shaved his head for the fight. He was more cautious this time and avoided mixing up with big punches like what he had done in their first match when he was knocked out.
However, Foreman landed a huge left hook that floored Frazier. After the second knockdown, the referee stopped the fight in the fifth round. Right after that loss, Frazier announced his retirement.
In 1981, Frazier attempted to stage a comeback. His fight with Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings in Chicago, Illinois resulted in a draw. After a stressful battle he retired for good.
After retirement, Frazier engaged himself in different works. He guided his offspring who followed his footsteps taking up boxing as a career. Frazier helped train Marvis Frazier, who was a challenger to Larry Holmes for the world heavyweight title.
He also trained his daughter, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, who successfully became a WIBA world light-heavyweight champion. Her most famous fight was a close majority decision points loss to Laila Ali, the daughter of his archrival Muhammad Ali.
After retirement, Frazier's professional record was 32 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with 27 wins by knockout. He won 73% of his fights by knockout, compared to 60% for Ali and 84% for Foreman. He was inducted to the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.
Frazier was diagnosed with liver cancer in late September 2011. The following month on November 2011, he was hospitalized in Philadelphia, where he died on November 7 at the age of 67. When he heard of Frazier's death, Muhammad Ali said, "The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration."
On November 14, Frazier's private funeral was held at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia and was attended by Muhammad Ali, Don King, Larry Holmes, Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman, and other prominent celebrities together with his friends and family members. Floyd Mayweather Jr. paid for Frazier's funeral services. His body was buried at the Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, a short drive from the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.
A statue of Frazier was originally contracted with sculptor Lawrence Nowlan. But Nowlan died before starting his work, and consequently a statue accomplished by Philadelphia sculptor Stephen Layne was erected at Stateside Live! in 2015.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
Thu, 22 Jan 2026KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
Wed, 21 Jan 2026Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 21 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 20 Jan 2026Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026“Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
By Eric Armit, Mon, 19 Jan 2026