Now comes the sad news that boxing icon Smokin’ Joe Frazier, forever linked to his trilogy fights against Muhammad Ali, is fading fast from liver cancer.
As the ultimate Philadelphia fighter slips away, and reports have him in a hospice which usually means a person is rounding third base and heading for home, you will hear many stories about his dilsike for Muhammad. Some go so far as to say that Frazier hates or used to hate Ali mainly because of his mockery of Joe’s skin tone.
You know all about the thrilla and chilla in Manila when I get the gorilla and that type of promotional patter from Ali.
Yes, Ali did refer to Joe as an Uncle Tom, always a hurtful comment, but I don’t think it was ever meant in any way except to upset Frazier.
Here’s an interesting take, from Frazier’s own lips, as to how he really does view Ali.
Sports radio yakker Greg Marotta put it to Frazier this way, asking what Joe would say if he and Ali were two guys stuck on an elevator.
