Boxing Legend Joe Frazier Has Liver Cancer

Former boxing heavyweight champion Joe Frazier was diagnosed with liver cancer several weeks ago and is currently under hospice care at a facility in Philadelphia. Word of the 67-year-old’s condition came over the weekend from his business manager Leslie Wolff, who said Frazier has been in and out of the hospital since early October and went under hospice care last week. No word yet on how long he is expected to live.

Nicknamed “Smokin’ Joe” during his pro boxing days, Frazier went up against Muhammad Ali three times; the two became fierce rivals. Frazier was named heavyweight champion in 1971, and became the first person to defeat Ali a year later. His career record stands at 32 wins, four losses and one draw.

Frazier operated a now-shuttered gym in North Philadelphia for several years after retiring from professional boxing, where he trained up young fighters. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

Frazier has been flooded with support and well-wishes from fans, the Associated Press reports; some fans have offered to donate a liver. Fans are encouraged to post comments and well-wishes at Joefrazierscorner.com.