8 November 2011 Last updated at 03:24 ET

Boxing ex-world champion Joe Frazier dies

 

The legendary fighter will be best remembered for being the first man to beat Muhammad Ali in New York in 1971

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier has died after a brief battle with liver cancer, his family said.

Frazier - also known as Smokin' Joe - had been receiving hospice care in Philadelphia after being diagnosed with cancer several weeks ago.

The 67-year-old was the first man to beat Muhammad Ali in 1971, but lost his next two bouts with Ali.

He held the world title between 1970 and 1973.

Frazier won an Olympic gold medal in 1964 after going to the Games as a replacement for Buster Mathis, who had beaten him in the trials but could not attend the Games due to an injury.

Life & times of Joe Frazier

• Born 12 January 1944, Beaufort, South Carolina
• Total fights 37 - 32 wins (27KOs), 4 losses, 1 draw
• Won gold for USA at 1964 Tokyo Olympics
• Won NYSAC version of world title with victory over Buster Mathis in 1968
• Won WBA and WBC versions of world title with victory over Jimmy Ellis in 1970
• Last world title fight in 1975 against Muhammad Ali
• Retired in 1976 and made a comeback in 1981, fighting just once, before retiring for good
• Dies 7 November 2011 after suffering from liver cancer

• Obituary: Joe Frazier

He won the heavyweight title in 1970, after Ali had been stripped of the championship in 1967 for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War, by defeating Jimmy Ellis in New York.

Three years later he lost his crown to George Foreman.

But the boxer is perhaps most widely-known for three great fights with Ali, including the epic "Thrilla in Manila" in 1975.

The pair had a fraught relationship dating back to taunts Ali directed at his rival in the build-up to their famous bouts.

But in recent years, they were reported to be on better terms.

"The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration," said Ali, 69.

"My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones."

Frazier retired in 1976 after again being beaten by Foreman. He then made an unsuccessful comeback in 1981, fighting only once before ending his career for good.

"Goodnight Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend," said Foreman on Twitter.

British former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis told BBC Radio 5 live: "Without him, other boxing heroes wouldn't be great because they tested their talent against him.

"He definitely was legendary and he made a great contribution to boxing.

"I'm so sad for his family. Nobody likes to hear about great heroes passing on. It's a very sad day for boxing."