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Frazier’s friend, Thomas Hauser, had become Ali’s biographer (Joe feeling betrayed, my comment) when a black-tie gala was arranged in Philadelphia to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Ali–Frazier fight.
The Ring Magazine, Apr 2021, still delivering, Hauser writes: April 14, 1991, in Philadelphia […] during the ****tail hour, Howard Bingham [Ali’s best friend and personal photographer] suggested that I pose for a photo with Muhammad Ali and Joe. I stood between them.
Joe wrapped his arm around my waist in what I thought was a gesture of friendship. Then, just as Howard snapped the photo, Joe dug his fingers into the flesh beneath my ribs. It hurt like hell.
I tried to pry his hand away. You try prying Joe Frazier’s hand away. When Joe was satisfied that he’d inflicted sufficient pain, he smirked at me and walked off.
January 7, 2005. Joe was in my home. We were eating ice cream in the kitchen. Then Joe said something that surprised me.
“Do you remember that time I gave you the claw?”
“I remember,” I said grimly.
“I’m sorry, man. I apologize.”
That was Joe Frazier. He remembered every hurt that anyone ever inflicted upon him. But Joe also remembered the hurts he’d inflicted on other people.
Frazier’s friend, Thomas Hauser, had become Ali’s biographer (Joe feeling betrayed, my comment) when a black-tie gala was arranged in Philadelphia to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Ali–Frazier fight.
The Ring Magazine, Apr 2021, still delivering, Hauser writes: April 14, 1991, in Philadelphia […] during the ****tail hour, Howard Bingham [Ali’s best friend and personal photographer] suggested that I pose for a photo with Muhammad Ali and Joe. I stood between them.
Joe wrapped his arm around my waist in what I thought was a gesture of friendship. Then, just as Howard snapped the photo, Joe dug his fingers into the flesh beneath my ribs. It hurt like hell.
I tried to pry his hand away. You try prying Joe Frazier’s hand away. When Joe was satisfied that he’d inflicted sufficient pain, he smirked at me and walked off.
January 7, 2005. Joe was in my home. We were eating ice cream in the kitchen. Then Joe said something that surprised me.
“Do you remember that time I gave you the claw?”
“I remember,” I said grimly.
“I’m sorry, man. I apologize.”
That was Joe Frazier. He remembered every hurt that anyone ever inflicted upon him. But Joe also remembered the hurts he’d inflicted on other people.
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