Smokin' Joe Frazier died on Monday night at the age of 67 following a brief battle with liver cancer.

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Joe Frazier will forever be linked with Muhammad Ali.  Frazier was the first to beat Ali at Madison Square Garden in 1971.  Frazier beat Ali in "The Fight of the Century" by clearly winning a unanimous 15-round decision.  After losing his undefeated 29-0 record in a 1973 fight against George Foreman, Frazier battled Muhammad Ali in New York City again.  This time Ali won a clear 12-round unanimous decision in Ali-Frazier II.

The third fight between Ali and Frazier took place in the Philippines.  The "Thrilla in Manila" was the most brutal fight in the Ali-Frazier trilogy.  The fight ended when Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch stopped the fight before the 15th and final round because Smokin' Joe was unable to see.  Ali referred to this fight repeatedly as his toughest fight ever.  Frazier ended his boxing career with a memorable 32-4-1 record.  Boxing fans will always remember his trademark left hook.  Frazier left his mark on the sport of boxing, as well as an undeniable impression in the minds of his competition.

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Brian Noe is the Program Director at 104.5 The Team, ESPN Radio in Albany, NY.  Brian also hosts "The Noe Show" weekdays from 1-3pm ET on WTMM.

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