Joe Frazier didn't sell?

[Bennyleonard99]

After Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century, his next two fights were against no names in small market city minor league arenas - Terry Daniels Rivergate Auditorium New Orleans, LA - Ron Stander Civic Auditorium Omaha Nebraska. You would think Smokin Joe would have become a massive icon attraction after beating Ali in MSG and there would have been great demand to see him fight in major cities like Philadelphia, his hometown, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, London, Paris, etc.

Perhaps Ali was the A side and Joe never quite elevated beyond B side even after beating Ali. His fame and popularity came after he became a legend after his career ended? Or boxing just wasn't as big as it seems in hindsight as history and media tend to glamorize reality.

The broadcast said all the major media covered the fight but it's not clear what network televised the fight on you tube.

I wonder why Joe didn't fight in Philly as champ? He just didn't sell?

[Bennyleonard99]

Daniels was almost one year after the Ali 1 fight.

[Willie Pep 229]

After Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century, his next two fights were against no names in small market city minor league arenas - Terry Daniels Rivergate Auditorium New Orleans, LA - Ron Stander Civic Auditorium Omaha Nebraska. You would think Smokin Joe would have become a massive icon attraction after beating Ali in MSG and there would have been great demand to see him fight in major cities like Philadelphia, his hometown, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, London, Paris, etc.

Perhaps Ali was the A side and Joe never quite elevated beyond B side even after beating Ali. His fame and popularity came after he became a legend after his career ended? Or boxing just wasn't as big as it seems in hindsight as history and media tend to glamorize reality.

The broadcast said all the major media covered the fight but it's not clear what network televised the fight on you tube.

I wonder why Joe didn't fight in Philly as champ? He just didn't sell?

I had suggested to a different poster that there is a difference between a celebrity and a star.

When half the people love you, you're a celebrity. When half the people love you, and half the people hate you, you're a star.

Celebrities always fade like fads do; stars echo for decades.

Frazier was respected, even loved by a few, but still only made it to the celebrity level.

Ironic it is. Frazier whoops Ali and Ali is still the bigger draw. Ali was 'great.' Always drama.

[Bronson66]

After Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century, his next two fights were against no names in small market city minor league arenas - Terry Daniels Rivergate Auditorium New Orleans, LA - Ron Stander Civic Auditorium Omaha Nebraska. You would think Smokin Joe would have become a massive icon attraction after beating Ali in MSG and there would have been great demand to see him fight in major cities like Philadelphia, his hometown, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, London, Paris, etc.

Perhaps Ali was the A side and Joe never quite elevated beyond B side even after beating Ali. His fame and popularity came after he became a legend after his career ended? Or boxing just wasn't as big as it seems in hindsight as history and media tend to glamorize reality.

The broadcast said all the major media covered the fight but it's not clear what network televised the fight on you tube.

I wonder why Joe didn't fight in Philly as champ? He just didn't sell?

You aren't going to draw big gates fighting 2 unranked sausages,he was 10/1 on to beat Stander and such a a prohibitive favourite to beat Daniels no betting line was established.

These were piss take,gimmmeees and everybody knew it!

[Bennyleonard99]

You aren't going to draw big gates fighting 2 unranked sausages,he was 10/1 on to beat Stander and such a a prohibitive favourite to beat Daniels no betting line was established.

These were piss take,gimmmeees and everybody knew it!

Then why didn't the man who whooped the greatest fight a top contender? Perhaps Joe was overrated and protected? It makes little sense that the biggest star in boxing sits out a year and then returns and picks a tomato can. I guess Joe knew Foreman was the real deal.

[Bennyleonard99]

I had suggested to a different poster that there is a difference between a celebrity and a star.

When half the people love you, you're a celebrity. When half the people love you, and half the people hate you, you're a star.

Celebrities always fade like fads do; stars echo for decades.

Frazier was respected, even loved by a few, but still only made it to the celebrity level.

Ironic it is. Frazier whoops Ali and Ali is still the bigger draw. Ali was 'great.' Always drama.

Expected Joe's popularity to explode after beating Ali in the so called biggest event in boxing history. Joe was the best of his time but today's elites would have manhandled him, because of the size disadvantage mainly.

[Bronson66]

Then why didn't the man who whooped the greatest fight a top contender? Perhaps Joe was overrated and protected? It makes little sense that the biggest star in boxing sits out a year and then returns and picks a tomato can. I guess Joe knew Foreman was the real deal.

Frazier won the FOTC but it took more out of him than Ali,his camp didnt want any more life and death duels.
I think the reasoning concerning Foreman was the total opposite to what you concluded.
I believe they thought get this big crude guy now before he learns how to fight,and gets some finesse about him.

[Willie Pep 229]

Expected Joe's popularity to explode after beating Ali in the so called biggest event in boxing history. Joe was the best of his time but today's elites would have manhandled him, because of the size disadvantage ma that inly.

Jow Frazier got screwed by destiny.

Muhammad Ali's destiny.

Muhammad Ali was a saga. Come March 1971 the saga was approaching its arch and would peak in Manila in 1975. The total Ali saga took 14 years to play out.

Joe Frazier was a supporting player that brought the story's protagonist Ali, a setback, a new challenge, i.e. tragedy equals drama.

Foreman then removed Frazier from the story (for a while) and looked to be an 'Everest' that Ali could never climb. Ali turned tragedy into triumph in Zaire.

Finally reaching the end of his 'greatness' in Manila.

But then we also have to add that the Ali saga even had its own dénouement in Neon Leon.

The stuff legends are made of.

.....

Frazier being a great fighter meant little. He had a role to play in another man's story. Unfair, but true. Ask Gene Tunney.

Being a great fighter isn't enough to make you a star. There has to be more on the table. Ask Larry Holmes.

In the Ali saga Joe Frazier had three important supporting roles to play: the tragedy of Ali's first loss; his destruction at the hands of Foreman, and Foreman's precieved rise to invincibility because of the beat down; and the final drama in Maniia, the role of a beaten man, the fallen fighter. (Hollywood couldn't have written a better ending.)

.....

When people, who don't find what you do interesting, but still know your name, you're probably great. e.g. Ali

If only people, who love the thing you do, call you great, you're probably not great and your name will fade. E.g. Charley Burley. -- Only geeks like us will remember you.

[Bronson66]

Jow Frazier got screwed by destiny.

Muhammad Ali's destiny.

Muhammad Ali was a saga. Come March 1971 the saga was approaching its arch and would peak in Manila in 1975. The total Ali saga took 14 years to play out.

Joe Frazier was a supporting player that brought the story's protagonist Ali, a setback, a new challenge, i.e. tragedy equals drama.

Foreman then removed Frazier from the story (for a while) and looked to be an 'Everest' that Ali could never climb. Ali turned tragedy into triumph in Zaire.

Finally reaching the end of his 'greatness' in Manila.

But then we also have to add that the Ali saga even had its own dénouement in Neon Leon.

The stuff legends are made of.

.....

Frazier being a great fighter meant little. He had a role to play in another man's story. Unfair, but true. Ask Gene Tunney.

Being a great fighter isn't enough to make you a star. There has to be more on the table. Ask Larry Holmes.

In the Ali saga Joe Frazier had three important supporting roles to play: the tragedy of Ali's first loss; his destruction at the hands of Foreman, and Foreman's precieved rise to invincibility because of the beat down; and the final drama in Maniia, the role of a beaten man, the fallen fighter. (Hollywood couldn't have written a better ending.)

.....

When people, who don't find what you do interesting, but still know your name, you're probably great. e.g. Ali

If only people, who love the thing you do, call you great, you're probably not great and your name will fade. E.g. Charley Burley. -- Only geeks like us will remember you.

Fine post!

[QueensburyRules]

After Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century, his next two fights were against no names in small market city minor league arenas - Terry Daniels Rivergate Auditorium New Orleans, LA - Ron Stander Civic Auditorium Omaha Nebraska. You would think Smokin Joe would have become a massive icon attraction after beating Ali in MSG and there would have been great demand to see him fight in major cities like Philadelphia, his hometown, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, London, Paris, etc.

Perhaps Ali was the A side and Joe never quite elevated beyond B side even after beating Ali. His fame and popularity came after he became a legend after his career ended? Or boxing just wasn't as big as it seems in hindsight as history and media tend to glamorize reality.

The broadcast said all the major media covered the fight but it's not clear what network televised the fight on you tube.

I wonder why Joe didn't fight in Philly as champ? He just didn't sell?

- - When Frazier fought George, it was in Jamaica because the US economy nosedived after withdrawing from Vietnam.

George never defended his titles in the US for just that reason...simples for simple peeple...