What was Joe Frazier’s net worth?
Joe Frazier, a former World Heavyweight Champion boxer, passed away in 2011 with a net worth of $100 thousand. Frazier was known for his victory over Muhammad Ali and held the title of undisputed heavyweight champion from 1970 to 1973. Despite his successes in the ring, Frazier struggled financially after his boxing career due to his generosity towards friends and family and lack of business skills.
Tragically, Frazier died of liver cancer, and Floyd Mayweather, a fan of the boxer, offered to pay for his funeral costs via Twitter.
Early Life and Career
Joe Frazier was born in 1944 in Beaufort, South Carolina, and raised by sharecropper parents. At 15, he left home after witnessing racial violence and eventually settled in Philadelphia. Frazier had a successful amateur boxing career, winning three Golden Gloves Heavyweight Championships and a gold medal at the 1964 Olympics.
Joe Frazier’s Early Career and Rise to Fame
In 1965, Joe Frazier turned professional and won his first four fights by knockout, including a technical knockout against Woody Goss in the first round. However, a training accident left Frazier legally blind in his left eye. In 1966, Frazier went to Los Angeles to train with Eddie Futch and adopted his bob-and-weave defensive technique. The following year, Frazier won all six of his fights, including a New York State bout against Buster Mathis by knockout, which helped him claim the Heavyweight Championship. Frazier defended his title by defeating Manuel Ramos and Oscar Bonavena in 1967. In 1969, Frazier defended his New York State Athletic Commission title by defeating Dave Zyglewicz in a first-round knockout and Jerry Quarry in a seventh-round stoppage.
1970-1972: Frazier’s Championship Reign
In 1970, Frazier defeated WBA Champion Jimmy Ellis at Madison Square Garden, winning by a technical knockout. He then faced and defeated World Light Heavyweight Champion Bob Foster for his first title defense.
The following year, Frazier took on Muhammad Ali in the “Fight of the Century.” After losing the first two rounds, Frazier came back with powerful left hooks and ultimately won a 15-round unanimous decision to claim the title. He successfully defended his title twice in 1972, knocking out both Terry Daniels and Ron Stander.
Joe Frazier’s Fighting Career
Joe Frazier lost his undefeated record and world championship to George Foreman in 1973 but won his next fight against Joe Bugner in London. In 1974, he fought Muhammad Ali for a second time in a non-title fight and lost in a 12-round unanimous decision. He later defeated Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Ellis to re-establish himself as the top heavyweight challenger.
Frazier and Ali had their third and final fight in Manila, Philippines in 1975, with Ali winning by technical knockout. In 1976, Frazier fought George Foreman for the second time and was knocked down twice before the fight was stopped in the fifth round. Frazier then retired from boxing.
Joe Frazier’s Retirement and Legacy
After attempting a comeback in 1981, Joe Frazier retired permanently following a draw with Floyd Cummings. He then focused on training his children, Marvis and Jacqui, both of whom became boxers. Jacqui went on to become a WIBA World Light Heavyweight Champion.
Even after retirement, Frazier remained in the public eye, lending his voice to two episodes of “The Simpsons” where he played himself. He also owned and managed a boxing gym in Philadelphia, which he eventually put up for sale in 2009. Before doing so, he formed the Smokin Joe Frazier Foundation with the help of Peter Bouchard to give back to troubled youth in need.
Joe Frazier and the Knockouts
In the 70s, Frazier formed a soul-funk group called Joe Frazier and the Knockouts. The band toured extensively across the US and Europe, and recorded several singles such as “Knock Out Drop,” “You Got the Love,” “First Round Knock-Out,” and “Little Dog Heaven.”
Family and Death
Joe Frazier married Florence Smith in 1963; the couple divorced in 1985. Frazier had five children with Smith, as well as others with women from previous relationships. The children are Marvis, Jacquelin, Weatta, Natasha, Jo-Netta, Derek, Brandon, Joseph Rubin, and Joseph Jordan.
In late 2011, Frazier was diagnosed with liver cancer. He was quickly placed under hospice care, where he passed away at the age of 67. A private funeral was held shortly after; in addition to family and friends, it was attended by Muhammad Ali, Don King, Magic Johnson, and Dennis Rodman, among other sports greats.
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