Great Picture of Smokin' Joe

Having read the Ali biography first, watched their fights after reading this, and seen various press conference footage of them interacting, I was interested to see what the real Joe Frazier was like in his own words. I kinda felt like Ali was part-showman, part-bully in how he treated Joe for the most part, despite him downplaying it in his biography. This book cemented the bully part for me and watching the fights backed up a lot of what Frazier said in this book: Ali was a lot more fame than fight. As for Frazier, it was great to see how positive the man was in life in general. He acknowledged inequities in life for blacks at the time, he just chose to let his deeds talk for him instead of joining people he felt caused more problems than provided solutions like Ali did. The backlash he got from that was incredible. It's not that different from trying to stay away from politics today: sitting on the sidelines gets you labeled a problem. Frazier was also portrayed as a dumb guy by Ali when that wasn't the case at all. He managed his money from the beginning so well by the time he retired he literally didn't have to fight anymore if he chose not to. He never got spent by the boxing machine and thrown away because he was savvy to the ways the machine can hurt you. Overall, the book was a great read I'm glad I bought. The narration was good too. Quinn's voice was a smooth and relaxed as I'd imagine Frazier would be to talk to so it fit well. Great book.

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Superior

Loved it, could not stop listening, he is and will always be my favorite boxer.

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A True Heavyweight Champion

This is one of the most humbly written autobiographies I have ever read or heard. Joe Frazier was a genuine Champion and hero. He will always be ranked and linked and loved simoniously with Mohammed Ali. They brought the best out of each other and made boxing what it is today, a Genuine Money Sport. Joe Frazier's humility and personality was awesome. What a Hero and True Heavyweight Champion.

great listen

great listen on a great champ. the narrator does a fantastic job as well.

50 yr old Frazier

this is Fraziers Autobiography and i really wish it would have been written 20 yrs later. its a very bitter but very real and interesting look into Mr Frazier's life, mostly boxing career. I loved it

Greg Gonzalez

If you’re a boxing fan you will be a fan of this book. If you loved Joe Frazier you will love this book. I must admit I was a fan before reading this. But now I admire the man so much more. This book on a deeper level is about personal resiliency. It’s also about strong fathers and the history of our country’s struggle for individual and racial progress. At times I was in the edge of my seat even though I knew the outcomes of historic fights. I will never forget I lived in Upper Manhattan in 1971 when Joe defended his title in Ali - Frazier One. We were kids out on the street getting the reports as they came in. I relived that and I picked up things that we all know but are worth repeating. 1) do your talking in the ring and in life with your actions not your lip. 2) Perspiration and preparation overcome obstacles. 3) family. 4) no wrong way to do right and no right way to do wrong. I’m an attorney and this applies to me as much as to anyone. Smokin’ Joe was my Champ then a d he’s my Champ now.

Wonderful!

I have never enjoyed a book as much as Smokin' Joe. I didn't want the eight hours and thirty-nine minutes to end. The book is well written and Bill Andrew Quinn captured Joe's voice as if Joe himself were speaking. I disagree with some reviewers who said Joe spent too much time talking about Ali. I will always like Ali but this is Joe's story and he tells it like it is. I know it may hurt a lot of Ali fans to hear Joe talk about him that way, but Ali was color struck and never dated dark skin women. Ali claimed to be the black people's champion and that he didn't date white women, yet each of his wives looked more white than black. Though I had a crush on Ali at sixteen and still think he deserves the title, "The Greatest" this book has given me a new respect and love for Joe Frazier. Frazier also deserves the title "The Greatest", because Frazier, Ali, and Forman were the three greatest professional prizefighters of all time. They were truly the gladiators of the twentieth century. I love you Smokin' Joe, rest in peace with Jesus.

♡ Loved this.

scam boogers: love this book! Insightful, history no wrong way to do right, no right way to do wrong.

Inspirational

Amazing story, that goes deeply into what kind of man Smokin' Joe Frazier was. Truly inspirational

Smokin Joe

Really enjoyed this Audible book. Narrator was excellent along with a great story. Loved Joe's view and inside stories of his epic battles with Ali. It's one of those books when it ends you wish it would go on even further. Smokin Joe an authentic working man who loved his craft and always took pride in coming to the fight in top shape ready to rumble.