RIP Smokin’ Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier, the former heavyweight champion whose fights with Muhammad Ali may be some of the greatest in boxing history, died this evening at the age of 67.

RIP Smokin’ Joe! One of the all time greats!

From USA Today:

Frazier was diagnosed with cancer in late September, said his personal and business manager, Leslie Wolff. He had made several personal appearances since then.

Though there was lingering animosity between Frazier and Ali for more than 40 years, their names became synonymous with each other. Ali and Frazier. Frazier and Ali. It was almost as if you couldn’t say one without the other, said boxing historian Bert Randolph Sugar, who covered their amazing trilogy of fights in the 1970s.

Frazier, who was known as “Smokin’ Joe,” was the first fighter to defeat Ali, putting the loquacious “Louisville Lip” on the canvas with his signature vicious left hook during their first fight, the so-called “Fight of the Century” in Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971, one of the most epic ring battles of all time. Frazier went on to win by unanimous decision.

Arturo Gatti Dies at 37

Former boxing champion Arturo Gatti has been found dead in a Brazil hotel room at the age of 37. According to reports, Gatti was found covered in blood. He was in Brazil for his second honeymoon with his wife and 10-month-old baby.

From the Associated Press:

Police investigator Edislon Alves told The Associated Press that the body of the former junior welterweight champ was discovered Saturday morning in the posh seaside resort of Porto de Galinhas, where he arrived on Friday with his wife and 1-year-old son.

A spokeswoman for the public safety department said Gatti’s wife and son were unhurt.

“There were no bullet or stab wounds on his body, but police did find blood stains on the floor,” the spokeswoman said.