"Down Goes Frazier..."
By Frank Luna
Howard Cosell's iconic phrase echoed in my mind all day as I pondered the life and times of Joe Frazier. He could never match the trash talking of Ali, enduring barbs such as "...you're too ugly to be champ." And while he couldn't match the height of many of his opponents, they couldn't match his heart. He pounded many, including Ali, into submission without uttering a boastful word. He was a quiet storm of punishing blows. He held the world heavyweight title for five years and successfully defended it against Ali in his prime. Respected by all who faced him, he finally succumbed to liver cancer at the age of 67. His contribution to sports history will never be forgotten.
