"Smokin" Joe Frazier, one of the great World Heavyweight Champions, came to New Zealand on a short visit in July. He was here as a guest commentator and celebrity for the "Fight For Life" show, and he also belted out a song. Colonel Bob Sheridan made his yearly appearance at Dean Lonergan's spectacular show. People tell me the show gets better every year. At the weigh in the day before the big show parts of the famous Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier epic bouts were shown on the big screen. Bob Sheridan did the commentating and Joe answered all the questions. No doubt about it, those three fights were tough and the fans got a glimpse of just how tough Joe really was. The first one in 1971 Joe was the World Champion and he beat Ali on points over 15 torrid rounds.
The second one in 1974 was a 12 rounder, as Joe had dropped the title to George Foreman in 1973. Ali won this one on points. Their third meeting was the famous "Thriller In Manilla" in 1975, when Muhammad Ali won on a T.K.O. in the 14th round. Both these fighter's soaked up a lot of punishment in these three contests.
Previous to the Manilla fight Joe came out to Australia to fight Jimmy Ellis in Melbourne, Australia, and came on here for a weeks visit. He appeared at Carlaw Park in Auckland in two exhibition matches, one against a Californian boy and the other against Maile Haumona. I was fortunate to see these fights, and I was pleased to catch up with Joe again last month.
