Last of a dying breed

I'm legitimately saddened by the news of "Smokin" Joe Fraizer's passing. I had read a news blurb on Saturday night that said Frazier was admitted to a hospice with liver cancer, only to read that he passed away late last night at the age of 67.

I posted a blog a couple of months ago about the great "Sugar" Ray Robinson, who I consider to be the best boxer to ever step foot inside a ring. For those of you that read the blog (I don't blame you if you didn't - I ranted a bit), you'll know my feelings on the sport of boxing as it is today, and how it's turned into nothing more than a business for overpaid "fighters" to turn up and collect a paycheck.

Gone are the days of real men stepping inside the ring to settle their difference with a good old fashioned fist fight. While you had guys like Ali, who could talk a big game, and get inside their opponents head with the pre-fight trash talking, on the flip side, you also had guys like Frazier who did his talking in the ring. While Ali could intimidate you with words, Frazier could intimidate with his brutality. He didn't need name calling to psyche you out. He'd let his patented left hook do that for him.

Joe was the first man to beat the seemingly unstoppable Muhammed Ali, and he did so in convincing fashion. To top it off, he helped Ali both financially and publicly during his problems during the whole "draft dodging" charade. It just goes to show you what kind of man Frazier really was.

While he may be gone, his legacy will live on forever. One half of what is considered to be the greatest sporting event of all-time (Thrilla in Manilla), Frazier is sure to serve as an inspiration to future generations of boxers who are genuinely interested in the fighting aspect of the "sweet science," and not just how to collect a quick paycheck while avoiding as much damage as possible.

It's sad to say, but Joe Frazier is among the last of a dying breed. Men who went out, and win-lose-or-draw, fought to the best of their ability and left everything in the ring.

Thank you for the years of entertainment. Even though I've always had to watch replays (I wasn't born during Frazier's heyday), Joe has always been a personal favorite of mine, and will continue to be so. Boxing has truly lost one of the greats.

Oh, and Philly...I love Rocky as much as the next guy, but can you PLEASE show Frazier some proper respect and give him the tribute he deserves? That's always bothered me.



Word.