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[[image - color photograph of Joe Frazier standing by an automobile]]

[[image - black & white photograph of Joe Frazier in the kitchen cooking]]

Smokin Joe Frazier

For Joe Frazier, former heavyweight champion of the world, his destruction of Jerry Quarry in Madison Square Garden on June 17, 1974, his last fight proved that he was still one of the best, if not "the" best of the heavyweights.

The Joe Frazier - Jimmy Ellis heavyweight elimination bout in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday, March 2 (March 1, U.S.), could mean the possible end of one brilliant career and another crack at the Heavyweight crown for the other.

Joe still has the determination that made him one of the most relentless champions in history. His frustrating and controversial 12-round decision loss to Muhammad Ali in Madison Square Garden on January 28, 1974, proved there was still plenty of fight left in Joe Frazier.

Against Quarry in his next fight on June 17, he displayed beyond any doubt that Joe Frazier was still to be contended with. Although his feared left hook remains his most potent weapon, he showed a right hand in his bout with Quarry, who succumbed in the fifth round. Joe attributed the development of his new found weapon to his advisor-trainer Eddie Futch and Georgie Benton, the great ex-middleweight contender, who worked with Futch and Joe for the fight.

Although not known for his boxing skills, Frazier is smart an a vastly experienced fighter. He's got a fair jab that he has never really utilized to the fullest.

A big plus in Joe's favor going into the Quarry fight was the fact that he had kept the weight under control and came into training camp without the problem of shedding many unwanted pounds. He had also come off a good 12-round action fight with Ali and didn't have any ring rust to diminish his skills.

He has stayed at work in the gym on and off for the eight month period between fights but for the extremely physical style Joe brings into his battles, there is no substitute for ring activity.

Against Ellis, always dangerous and smart, Frazier will have to be cautious, especially through the early going. But Joe has never been a cautious fighter. He comes out "smokin" and against an Ellis, it could be his downfall.

With everything being equal, Joe will have to fight a similar fight to the one he fought against Ellis on February 16, 1970, when he got past a stormy start to register a fifth round knockout when Ellis couldn't continue after being knocked down with a crushing Frazier hook near the end of the fourth.

If Frazier can muster a similar effort against Ellis in Australia, he could be getting another crack at the heavyweight crown that he once wore with such pride.

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[[image - color photograph of Jimmy Ellis sitting in a ring corner ready to fight his opponent]]

[[image - black & white photograph of Jimmy Ellis out running as part of his training]]

Jimmy Ellis

The Jimmy Ellis who meets Joe Frazier in a battle of former heavyweight champions for another crack at the world heavyweight crown under 12-rounds, or less, in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday, March 2 (March 1, U.S.), will be fighting for his proverbial life in boxing.

Still one of the most dangerous and experienced heavyweights in the division Ellis cannot afford a loss if he hopes to continue as a title contender. Regarded as one of the most skillful boxers the division has ever had, Ellis has the style to beat Joe Frazier. Whether he can maintain his in-and-out boxing fashion for any sustained period, will remain the crucial decision. 

As a fighter, Jimmy's career has been a strange one. He rose quietly through the middleweight and light heavy-weight ranks and almost lost himself in Ali's shadow as his chief sparring partner. 

He broke away from Ali and entered the W.B.A. Heavy-weight Elimination Tournament to find a successor for the title when Ali was forced into inactivity. He proved in that tournament that he was certainly among the best heavyweights in the world by winning the Tournament, beating Leotis Martin, Oscar Bonavena, and Jerry Quarry in the process.

Known primarily for his tremendous boxing skills, Ellis also possesses one of the best right hands in the business. His right, often referred to as a "sneak" right hand, because of its suddenness, potency and accuracy, became one of the feared weapons in the division.

A well-equipped fighter who could do it all, he has the pride and determination that goes with being a champion. The time has come for Jimmy Ellis to muster all of his pride, determination and skill for another chance at the top and the big money that goes with it.

If Jimmy Ellis can maintain the early pace that Joe Frazier will set in this all-important fight and possibly nail Frazier with that "sneak" right, the fight and the future glories that go with it, could be his. 

Jimmy must hurt Joe during the early going because it is doubtful if he can take the relentless Frazier pressure for more than five or six rounds unless he has found a "fountain of youth". The desire to become the heavyweight king once again could just be that "fountain" for Jimmy Ellis.

Ellis can also hope for the possibility of Frazier being a little rusty for this one after a period of more than eight months since his last fight. If he can catch Joe with a few too many pounds and lack of sharpness in his blows, Ellis could very well do it.