By Phillip Michael
While they were rivals inside the ring – and sometimes out – Muhammad Ali still has fondness in his heart for Smokin’ Joe Frazier.
News recently broke that former world heavyweight champion Frazier was in hospice care facing his toughest opponent yet – liver cancer. Upon hearing the news, former opponent Ali released a statement to show his support to his comrade.
"The news about Joe is hard to believe and even harder to accept. Joe is a fighter and a champion and I am praying he is fighting now,” Ali said. “My family and I are keeping Joe and his family in our daily prayers. Joe has a lot of friends pulling for him and I'm one of them.”
Ali has often called Frazier his toughest opponent of his career.
Frazier and Ali engaged in three memorable battles inside the squared circle, including the Fight of the Century in 1971 and 1975’s “Thrilla in Manila” – a fight Ali himself has described as the closest thing to death.
Frazier was the first man to beat Muhammad Ali, knocking him down and taking a decision in their first encounter. The fight earned the two pugilists a then-record purse of $2.5 million each.
Waging battle against cancer, Frazier now fights for an even bigger prize. And he has everyone in his corner. Including his biggest rival.
