Joe Frazier's Missed Opportunity

[ILLuminato]

Forgive me for ranting, as I was thinking about this on the way to the gym today. Joe Frazier had a chance to make a huge impact on racism in America, he had a chance to "bridge the gap" between races in America, and he BLEW IT by becoming offended and not speaking out.

Ali claimed he was "the white man's champion", and instead of confronting the issue, Frazier basically rejected it and steered away from speaking out. Frazier had the greatest probably in American history to make an impact, the Fight of the Century, the biggest and greatest, and socially significant sporting event in American history. Frazier could've been just as big as Ali in history but passed it away by his hesitation and fear to speak out...maybe it was the threats from the Nation of Islam, who knows. This may be why Frazier is still bitter about it to this day..

[TheGreatA]

Forgive me for ranting, as I was thinking about this on the way to the gym today. Joe Frazier had a chance to make a huge impact on racism in America, he had a chance to "bridge the gap" between races in America, and he BLEW IT by becoming offended and not speaking out.

Ali claimed he was "the white man's champion", and instead of confronting the issue, Frazier basically rejected it and steered away from speaking out. Frazier had the greatest probably in American history to make an impact, the Fight of the Century, the biggest and greatest, and socially significant sporting event in American history. Frazier could've been just as big as Ali in history but passed it away by his hesitation and fear to speak out...maybe it was the threats from the Nation of Islam, who knows. This may be why Frazier is still bitter about it to this day..

I'm not quite sure what you mean but Frazier did speak out and wasn't afraid to say whatever it was that he wanted to say.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1084610/index.htm

[ßringer]

Forgive me for ranting, as I was thinking about this on the way to the gym today. Joe Frazier had a chance to make a huge impact on racism in America, he had a chance to "bridge the gap" between races in America, and he BLEW IT by becoming offended and not speaking out.

Ali claimed he was "the white man's champion", and instead of confronting the issue, Frazier basically rejected it and steered away from speaking out. Frazier had the greatest probably in American history to make an impact, the Fight of the Century, the biggest and greatest, and socially significant sporting event in American history. Frazier could've been just as big as Ali in history but passed it away by his hesitation and fear to speak out...maybe it was the threats from the Nation of Islam, who knows. This may be why Frazier is still bitter about it to this day..

Joe Frazier was a fighter. Period.

He wasn't looking to be a symbol for racial justice and understanding, or a compelling figure of his time.

He was never interested in any of that.

He was only interested in fighting.

And he's not bitter about what your imply with your post.

He's bitter about the things Ali said and did to him in the public for years.

And he's also bitter about the fact that his kids suffered because of that.

[MarkScott]

I think he was just caught off guard by all the verbal attacks and he just wanted to fight in the ring and let that speak for itself.

http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Gans-Biography-American-Champion/dp/0786439947/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238968562&sr=1-1

[Terry A]

Joe Frazier was a fighter. Period.

He wasn't looking to be a symbol for racial justice and understanding, or a compelling figure of his time.

He was never interested in any of that.

He was only interested in fighting.

And he's not bitter about what your imply with your post.

He's bitter about the things Ali said and did to him in the public for years.

And he's also bitter about the fact that his kids suffered because of that.

Very well said. Co-sign.