Yesterday Joe Frazier, one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all-time, passed away at the age of 67 from liver cancer. "Smokin Joe' was simply one of the most powerful men to step into the ring, blasting opponets with a legendary left hook that toppled even Muhammad Ali.
While Frazier was in many ways unfairly always remembered in relation to Ali, his three fights against the GOAT are indebatably the stuff of legend. While Ali would emerge victorious from the "Rumble in a Jungle" fight that saw him employ the "rope a dope" strategy against Frazier - "Closest thing to dying that I know of," said Ali after the fight - it was Joe who claimed the world heavyweight title in his first bout with Ali, the aptly-titled 1971 "Fight of the Century".
There's no better way to pay tribute to Frazier than to watch that fight in its entirety - plus it's fucking amazing. Ali talking to the audience in the middle of round one, telling them that Frazier's punches didn't hurt? That moment alone is worth the watch. Enjoy, and RIP Smokin Joe.