smokin'

although we all thought ali was a much more compelling
personality and boxer, joe frazier brought out another level
and complexity in ali we're not sure anyone else could have.

the two boxers are inevitably linked together in most people's
mind because they both personified issues greater than simply
themselves that stood contentiously in opposing corners.

and they both had their reasons.

sociopolitical reasons. stylistic reasons. cultural reasons.

and that connection existed long before they stepped into the
ring for the fight in the garden back in 1971.

but today?

smokin' joe stands alone.

Joseph William Frazier 1944-2011