Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears (2011) Reviews

• Thanks for the Memories-Smokin' Joe

  larrys32013-03-06

  I remember decades ago, driving a cab in New York City, and Smokin' Joe Frazier popped in as a passenger. I recognized him right off and we had a little conversation. He really was a humble and nice guy and it's a memory that I'll always have. This documentary, written and directed by Mike Todd, emphasizes that indeed Joe Frazier was a very decent, hard working professional who made the very most out of the physical skills he had been given. He believed in harmony among the races, even growing up in a time when racism and segregation were rampant. As a result he was often maligned by others, especially his arch rival Muhammed Ali as being an "Uncle Tom". The documentary is only 1 hour and 11 minutes long. Sadly, you see Frazier in declining health as the documentary is shot. He passed away from cancer in November 2011, shortly after the filming. His son Marvis Frazier, a retired pro boxer himself, narrates the film and often appears in it as well as many persons who knew and worked with Joe over the years. The documentary covers a lot of ground despite its' short time span. It shows Joe's hometown of Beaufort, South Carolina including interviews with friends and family. He was one of 17 kids, and himself was the 12th child born. It was a rough time for him but he had the grit and determination to leave to Philadelphia and try to become a pro fighter, after he had seen the icon Joe Louis in an exhibition. Winning the Gold Medal for the USA at the 1964 Olympics, Joe went onto his pro career. In the 1960's when Ali was stripped of his heavyweight title for refusing to enter the draft, claiming conscientious objector status, Frazier was given an opening to eventually compete for the heavyweight boxing title. He defeated Jimmy Ellis, in 1970, to become the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ali in his court battles with the government, he was re-instated as a licensed boxer. This set up 3 classic fights with his rival Frazier, the first of which Frazier defeated Ali in an unanimous decision, in what was called "The Fight of the Century", even decking Ali with a vicious left hook. Frazier went on to lose the championship to George Foreman two years later. His rematch with Ali then came in 1974, and Ali beat Frazier in that one. The rubber match, often called " The Thriller in Manilla", was a great fight, and in my opinion one of the best ever. Ali finally prevailed effectively ending Frazier's career. During their rivalry Ali ofter publicly maligned Frazier calling him, as mentioned an "Uncle Tom" and a gorilla. At a press conference before one of their battles he pulled out a little rubber gorilla and kept hitting it claiming it was a replica of Frazier. From what I can garner, Frazier hated all of that but didn't really fight back verbally, I imagine thinking his fists would do the talking. From what I've read their feud continued off and on for decades, with apologies, then more disparaging remarks. In the last few years, before Frazier's death apparently they reached a reconciliation with Ali saying Frazier was one of the all-time greats and attending his funeral. Joe Frazier ended his career 32-4-1, with 27 KO"s. The only fighters he ever lost to were Ali and Foreman. He is in both major Boxing Halls of Fame. Being a boxing fan in those days as a young man, he had the greatest left hook I have ever seen. I loved his relentless determination and moxie in the ring and was one of my all time favorites, not only as a fighter but as a person. Thanks for the memories-Smokin' Joe.