Boxing is one of those sports that has been around the ropes. In the mist of one of America’s toughest times with the civil rights movement and racial tension of the 1950’s – late 1970’s boxing somehow united people from every race, sex or size. Boxing would provide 14-15 rounds of entertainment that at times might make life seem worth living. The key to all that may solely be because of one Smokin Joe Frazier. On Monday night a heavyweight boxing legend and in many ways a warrior’s champion lost his most important battle, one against cancer.
Smokin Joe Frazier was born in Beaufort, South Carolina but became a man in one of the toughest, critical and passionate cities on earth, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The man best known for his vicious battles against hall of fame boxing G.O.A.T Muhammad Ali was most more then a boxer, he was a fighter. Fighter for whatever he believed in rather it surrounded boxing, education, the economy or life skills, Joe was one of a kind.
If I was asked to sum up in a few words who I believed Frazier was he was a extremely hard working, loyal and compassionate man. The man with a brutal right hand but heart of gold. Frazier single handedly could be responsible for much of Ali’s late success for just giving him a chance. During the late 60s while Ali was champ he was stripped of his belt Frazier not only helped Ali get back in the ring but he gave Ali the chance to compete for the belt. That’s who Joe was. Not concerned with what if’s but a more concern in what was right.
Although Frazier was a legendary fighter in the ring his impact outside the ring was much more impressive. After throwing in the towel Frazier became very active in the lives of the youth stressing the importance of ALWAYS working hard and standing up for whatever you believe in. We often as humans all fall short in some area of life but when we seem to do what is know to be morally right good things normally follow. In no means is death a positive or rewarding part of life but Joe Frazier’s passing could bring light to the way we live today.
Frazier was the People’s champ before Dwayne Johnson started prepping was the Rock was cooking. I’m not sure of too many of today’s athletes who would have made the commitment to himself and the sport to be true no matter what. Frazier was a champ in his own right but knew he didn’t defeat the best to become the best so he stood up and handled his business. Again this was in a time were race and the economy were all very tense but he used his talents to help others. As we approach the 2012 elections and currently was watch America become Occupied, Frazier’s idea of loyalty and obligation can be used to help create a better world. Be committed to change. Determine change and be a active voice in change. May Joe Frazier rest in peace.
© 2011, Eldorado2452. All rights reserved.
