← Joe Frazier Decoded: The People’s Champion Remembered

Joe-Frazier-training-620×480

By Anslem Samuel | Published November 8, 2011 | Full size is 620 × 480 pixels

Natural Talent Watching boxing on his family’s black and white TV set, a young Frazier would often shadowbox on the porch. As he got older, he made a makeshift punching bag and worked on his form. After a freak accident his left arm damaged, Frazier developed a powerful left hook that would become his trademark knockout punch. As an amateur fighter, he won the Middle Atlantic Golden Gloves heavyweight championship three consecutive years (1962-64). His only loss in those three years would be to Buster Mathis, who defeated him again by decision in the 1964 Olympic boxing team qualifying bout.

Natural Talent

Watching boxing on his family’s black and white TV set, a young Frazier would…

(Image: Getty)