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When the news was confirmed from the horse’s mouth that Smokin’ Joe Frazier had fought through his magnificent professional career while legally blind in one eye, the reaction of all and sundry was intriguing. There was the initial rush of sympathy and admiration and the promises of many to study their all-time heavyweight choices and maybe bump Joe up a couple of notches.
Then there was nothing. In the articles and essays on Joe Frazier I have seen since, there has been little if any mention of the considerable handicap under which Joe laboured in punching his way to the top and remaining a major league player for some seven or eight years. Let us remember that he did so in the company of some of the toughest heavyweights of any era.
Along with Rocky Marciano, Joe Frazier is the guy who plays havoc with the minds of traditionalists and revisionists alike whenever they shuffle their all-time rankings. In general, Joe and Rocky are generally found bouncing around anywhere between tenth and fifteenth in the current climate, as cases are made for other fighters who suddenly become cool or trendy. Sonny Liston has been re-classified as the flawless and invincible killer he never was. Jersey Joe Walcott, a fine old ring mechanic who finally had his hour in the sun after dropping the ball several times, is lately revered as a brilliant old ring mechanic, albeit just plain old when he appears in Marciano’s portfolio. [details]
Then there was nothing. In the articles and essays on Joe Frazier I have seen since, there has been little if any mention of the considerable handicap under which Joe laboured in punching his way to the top and remaining a major league player for some seven or eight years. Let us remember that he did so in the company of some of the toughest heavyweights of any era.
Along with Rocky Marciano, Joe Frazier is the guy who plays havoc with the minds of traditionalists and revisionists alike whenever they shuffle their all-time rankings. In general, Joe and Rocky are generally found bouncing around anywhere between tenth and fifteenth in the current climate, as cases are made for other fighters who suddenly become cool or trendy. Sonny Liston has been re-classified as the flawless and invincible killer he never was. Jersey Joe Walcott, a fine old ring mechanic who finally had his hour in the sun after dropping the ball several times, is lately revered as a brilliant old ring mechanic, albeit just plain old when he appears in Marciano’s portfolio. [details]
Same to you, bud. It's always good to read your material....and I've done the same thing (guinness); but the rest of the piece made up for an out of character snaffuu. Great Read. 
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