A Long Time Ago

In his office, Frazier sat slouched on a sofa and reminisced about his heyday as a world heavyweight champion.

While the memories were still vivid, Frazier said he doesn’t think much about those fights. That was a long time ago, he said.

Frazier retired from boxing in 1976. For the past 29 years, the South Carolina native has lived above his gym, appropriately named Joe Frazier’s Gym, 2917 N. Broad St., in a rundown part of Philly.

A permanent smell of sweat wafts through the dank boxing arena. It’s a far cry from the days when Frazier danced in the ring with the likes of George Foreman, Jimmy Ellis and, his nemesis, Ali.

Frazier became a professional boxer in August 1965. He won his first 11 bouts by knockouts and retained his heavyweight title in March 1972 by beating Ali in a 15-round decision at Madison Square Garden. He had a career record of 32-4-1.