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.
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