Joe Frazier Death: Breaking Down the Boxing Legend's 5 Toughest Foes

Joe Frazier battled some of the toughest and most talented fighters the heavyweight division has seen.

He is a legend because his fights were epic. He fought and excelled in the golden age of boxing. There were few fighters that could withstand his power, but the following had the chin and the heart to do just that.

His fights with Muhammad Ali are so legendary that they are entwined not just into the history of boxing, but the history of America.

Ali was certainly not the only opponent that set the scene for amazing boxing action when Frazier was involved.

So, on the day following this great champion's death let's take a look at the five toughest opponents Smokin' Joe faced.

Buster Mathis

Smokin' Joe and Buster Mathis fought for the right to represent the US in the 1964 Olympics. Mathis beat Smokin' Joe, but was later injured, and Frazier wound up going to the Olympics. 

That was not the only time the two met. They fought for the NYSAC heavyweight title that was vacated by Muhammad Ali—who was in prison for refusing to be drafted.

Joe entered the fight with a 19-0 record, and Mathis a 23-0 record.

It was a close bout through the early rounds, but Frazier wore Mathis down and captured the title with a TKO in the 11th. That was the last time they fought.

Oscar Bonavena

Bonavena was a bruising hard-chinned boxer that was always swinging for a knockout.

He and Frazier met in the ring twice, and both fights were full of action.

The first came while Frazier was working his way up the ranks he was 11-0. Frazier won a tough bout after Bonavena could not continue due to medical reasons.

The rematch came when Frazier was champ. That fight went the distance. Frazier won in a unanimous decision. He pummeled Bonavena, but there was no quit in the slugging Argentinian.

These were two bruising and entertaining fights.

Jerry Quarry

Jerry Quarry and Frazier met in the ring two times. Both fights ended in a TKO. The first in the seventh and the second in the fifth.

Quarry could not match the skill of Frazier, but he could certainly match his toughness.

Quarry was pummeled in both fights, but he refused to quit. He brought out the slugging best in Smokin' Joe.

Both fights were wildly entertaining.

George Foreman

George Foreman was the only fighter Smokin' Joe lost to, that he didn't also beat. He was also the only fighter to TKO Frazier.

He was 0-2 against the physically imposing Foreman.

Foreman handed Frazier his first career loss on January 22, 1973. And Foreman did so quickly. He TKO'd Frazier in the second round.

The two had a rematch on June 15, 1976. Frazier only did slightly better in this fight. He suffered a TKO in the fifth round.

That was Frazier's second-to-last fight.

Muhammad Ali

Ali and Frazier met three times in the ring, and each bout is an absolute classic.

Frazier won the first bout in a unanimous decision on March 8th, 1971.

He lost his next two fights to Ali. In their second match, Ali returned the favor as he prevailed in a unanimous decision.

Their third fight, "The Thrilla in Manila," ended with a referee technical decision in the 14th of 15 rounds.

These were two amazing fighters that were evenly matched. Both could take a punch and deliver a punch. The abuse they levied on each other is the stuff of boxing legend, and is not likely to be ever equaled.