Frasier Death 'Sad Day For Boxing' - Lewis

Britain's former heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis has described his sadness over the death of boxing legend Joe Frasier.

It was announced on Monday night that the former heavyweight boxing champion 'Smokin' Joe Frazier had died at 67 after recently being diagnosed with liver cancer.

Speaking on Tuesday, Lennox Lewis said: "Nobody likes to hear about great heros and legendary people passing on, this is very sad for boxing today. He was definitely one of boxing's greats. He was legendary.

"He has made his mark in boxing, everyone knows his history. Without him, other boxing heroes wouldn't be great either because they really tested his talent against him. In a room filled of great men, he is definitely one of them."

Meanwhile, a statement released by the Frazier family said the 1964 Olympic boxing heavyweight gold-medallist, former heavyweight boxing champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame member had "transitioned from this life as 'One of God's Men'."

Joe Frasier will be best remembered for his three epic fights with 'The Greatest' Muhammad Ali, including the famous and 'Thrilla in Manila' in 1975.

Before that fight, Frazier had left the ring as the undisputed champ after knocking out Ali and handing him his first professional loss.

Ali won a 12-round decision in a January 1974 rematch, setting the stage for the classic "Thrilla in Manila" just outside the Philippine capital in 1975. It was after that fight that Ali said: "It was the closest I've come to death."

(DW/GK)