Boxing World Remembers Joe Frazier

Chris Smith/Getty Images(PHILADELPHIA) -- A private funeral was held in Philadelphia Monday for former world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. The 67-year-old Frazier passed away on Nov. 7 after a brief battle with liver cancer.

Among those who came to pay their respects included longtime adversary Muhammad Ali, former sparring partner Larry Holmes and promoter Don King.

“Frazier is one of the greatest fighters of all time,” Holmes said. “There’s only a few guys who you can even put in the category, but Joe Frazier was one of the true fighters. Like he said, he go down, he get back up. Joe Frazier had nothing but fight in him.”

Frazier captured the heavyweight title from Jimmy Ellis at Madison Square Garden in 1970. He successfully defended the title four times before losing to George Foreman in 1973.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Joe Frazier Passes Away

Jay Reilly/Getty(PHILADELPHIA) -- Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier passed away Monday night after a brief battle with liver cancer. He was 67.

Frazier is best remembered for his three epic fights in the 1970s with Muhammad Ali, during which he became the first person to hand Ali a defeat.

Frazier won the heavyweight title in 1970, stopping Jimmy Ellis in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden. He finished his career 32-4-1 with 27 knockouts.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio