The iconic left hook of Joe Frazier was one of the deadliest punches in boxing history, as one former heavyweight champion found out in brutal fashion.
The former world champion is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers ever, known for his thrilling bouts with the likes of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Joe Frazier was known for his incredible left hook, which was a weapon that helped him earn 27 knockout wins during his career.
In his first defense as world champion, that left hook was a key part of him keeping his undefeated streak alive.
Joe Frazier knocked out Manuel Ramos with a left hook in his first heavyweight title defense
The power of Frazier was put on full display when he made his first title defense against a former Mexican heavyweight champion, Manuel Ramos.
The Olympic gold medallist refused to enter the WBA’s tournament to crown a new champion after Muhammad Ali was stripped of his title for refusing to enter the draft in 1967.
Despite this, the New York State Athletic Commission recognized Frazier as the world champion, following his knockout victory over Buster Mathis, and he defended this title for the first time against Ramos in 1968.
The bout didn’t last long, but it gave a showcase of the immense power Frazier possessed. His cannon of a left hook found its mark numerous times on Ramos, who struggled to protect himself from the world champion’s attacks.
Ramos was the first real big hitter Frazier faced in his career, and he took the Mexican’s best punches with a strong chin, barely being affected by his left hands to the skull.
Frazier hit left hook after left hook into Ramos, who was knocked down early in the second after a series of brutal punches. Ramos did little but defend in the second round, but Frazier was relentless, hitting hooks and uppercuts without response throughout the entire round.
The Mexican was knocked down with just seconds left of the second round, with another devastating left hook knocking him to the ground and ending the fight, as the referee declared the bout over.
This win extended Frazier’s undefeated streak, which would rise to 26-0 before his long-awaited bout with Ali.
Joe Frazier handed Muhammad Ali his first defeat three years later in the ‘Fight of the Century’
Frazier held on to the NYSAS heavyweight title, while adding the WBA and WBC belts, for the next three years to set up the ‘Fight of the Century’ with Ali.
The superfight was massive, one of the biggest of all time. It pitted two undefeated world champions (Ali was the lineal champion, having never lost since being stripped of his title) in a bout to truly define who was the greatest.
The bout in Madison Square Garden was one of the best fights of all time, with an estimated audience of 300 million people tuning in all over the world.
Ali dominated the early rounds, but he visibly tired after the sixth, which allowed Frazier to take control, with Ali struggling to keep up his electric speed throughout the entire fight.
Frazier’s left hook threatened to knock out Ali in the 11th, but he managed to bounce off the ropes to keep his composure, as both men made it all 15 rounds in a fantastic fight.
Frazier took home the victory by a judge’s decision, handing Ali the first loss of his career.
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