Marvis Frazier
Encyclopedia
Marvis Frazier is a former professional boxer
of the heavyweight division.
. His sister Jackie Frazier-Lyde
was also a professional boxer, as was his brother Joe Frazier, Jr. (a.k.a Hector Frazier).
Among his best amateur wins were against future pro contender Mitch Green, and future champs Tim Witherspoon
, and Bonecrusher Smith.He also decisioned amateur star Jimmy Clark. He was KOd by James Broad
.
(a TKO) in 1983 and a rising Mike Tyson
in 1986 (a KO). Pitted against Holmes after just ten pro bouts (all victories), Frazier's camp touted his speed and youth as significant advantages over the champion. During the first minute of the fight Frazier dropped his hands to his sides and playfully moved his head back and forth, taunting Holmes: ill-advised behavior against an experienced veteran. Just 2:06 in, Holmes floored Frazier with a long right hand, knocking him down; Marvis took an eight-count and got back up. Dazed by the blow, Frazier was a sitting target and Holmes followed up, appealing for the referee to step in as he pummelled the younger man on the ropes. Finally, the referee stopped the bout with just a few seconds left in the first round, awarding Holmes a technical knockout. Many in the sports press criticized father/trainer Joe Frazier
for changing his son's style from that of a boxer (which brought Marvis success as an amateur) to a puncher, which many thought did not suit Marvis.
After his loss to Holmes, Frazier continued to fight and won his next six bouts, including victories over future world cruiserweight champion Bernard Benton
, heavyweight contenders Jose Ribalta and James "Quick" Tillis, and future champion James "Bonecrusher" Smith
. With the exception of a first-round knockout in his first fight after losing to Holmes, all of Frazier's fights went the full ten round distance with him winning unanimous or majority decisions in each fight.
This set up the fight with the 24-0 Tyson, which was broadcast live from the Glens Falls Civic Center
in Glens Falls, New York
by ABC
. Frazier quickly proved to be no match for the future champion; Tyson landed a vicious uppercut just 15 seconds into the bout then proceeded to club the defenceless Marvis Frazier unconscious. Referee Joe Cortez
did not even bother to count Frazier out, as he took one look at the fallen boxer and waved off the fight. Although Tyson had won the fight in less than twenty seconds, Joe Frazier appealed to have the time of the knockout changed to thirty seconds to spare his son the embarrassment of such a quick defeat.
After Tyson, Frazier did not fight for a title again. After nearly a year away from the ring following the loss to Tyson, Frazier returned to fight twice in two months, winning both of his bouts over journeymen fighters. He won his final fight against Phillipp Brown in 1988, retiring with a career record of 19-2.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
of the heavyweight division.
Personal
Marvis is the son of former heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer, Joe FrazierJoe Frazier
Joseph William "Joe" Frazier , also known as Smokin' Joe, was an Olympic and Undisputed World Heavyweight boxing champion, whose professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a one-fight comeback in 1981....
. His sister Jackie Frazier-Lyde
Jackie Frazier-Lyde
Jacqueline "Jacqui" Frazier-Lyde is an American lawyer and former professional boxer, who is the daughter of former world Heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier. In the year 2000, she shocked the boxing world by announcing that at the age of 38, she would begin participating in the sport of...
was also a professional boxer, as was his brother Joe Frazier, Jr. (a.k.a Hector Frazier).
Amateur career
Marvis was a highly touted prospect and among the top ranked amateur heavyweights. He was the 1979 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion and 1980 National AAU Heavyweight Champion. His record was 56 wins and 2 losses.Among his best amateur wins were against future pro contender Mitch Green, and future champs Tim Witherspoon
Tim Witherspoon
"Terrible" Tim Witherspoon is an American boxer who was twice world heavyweight champion.-Early career:Witherspoon had eight and a half amateur bouts, losing one to Marvis Frazier on decision after getting knocked down....
, and Bonecrusher Smith.He also decisioned amateur star Jimmy Clark. He was KOd by James Broad
James Broad
James Broad was an American heavyweight boxer who was an amateur star and, prior to the boycott, set to represent America in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. As a pro he won the NABF heavyweight title and was a regular sparring partner of a peak Mike Tyson.-Amateur:Broad took up boxing when he joined the...
.
Professional career
As a professional, Frazier is best remembered for two fights, unfortunately both first-round knockout losses: to champion Larry HolmesLarry Holmes
Larry Holmes is a former professional boxer. He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which gave birth to his boxing nickname, The Easton Assassin....
(a TKO) in 1983 and a rising Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson
Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...
in 1986 (a KO). Pitted against Holmes after just ten pro bouts (all victories), Frazier's camp touted his speed and youth as significant advantages over the champion. During the first minute of the fight Frazier dropped his hands to his sides and playfully moved his head back and forth, taunting Holmes: ill-advised behavior against an experienced veteran. Just 2:06 in, Holmes floored Frazier with a long right hand, knocking him down; Marvis took an eight-count and got back up. Dazed by the blow, Frazier was a sitting target and Holmes followed up, appealing for the referee to step in as he pummelled the younger man on the ropes. Finally, the referee stopped the bout with just a few seconds left in the first round, awarding Holmes a technical knockout. Many in the sports press criticized father/trainer Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier
Joseph William "Joe" Frazier , also known as Smokin' Joe, was an Olympic and Undisputed World Heavyweight boxing champion, whose professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a one-fight comeback in 1981....
for changing his son's style from that of a boxer (which brought Marvis success as an amateur) to a puncher, which many thought did not suit Marvis.
After his loss to Holmes, Frazier continued to fight and won his next six bouts, including victories over future world cruiserweight champion Bernard Benton
Bernard Benton
-Professional career:Known as "The Bull", Benton turned pro in 1981 and won the WBC cruiserweight title with a decision win over Alfonso Ratcliff in 1985. He lost the belt in his first defense to Carlos De León via decision the following year. He retired in 1995....
, heavyweight contenders Jose Ribalta and James "Quick" Tillis, and future champion James "Bonecrusher" Smith
James Smith (boxer)
James "Bonecrusher" Smith is a former American boxer who was briefly WBA heavyweight champion in the late 1980s. He was the first heavyweight champion with a college degree.-Early life:Smith was born in Magnolia, North Carolina...
. With the exception of a first-round knockout in his first fight after losing to Holmes, all of Frazier's fights went the full ten round distance with him winning unanimous or majority decisions in each fight.
This set up the fight with the 24-0 Tyson, which was broadcast live from the Glens Falls Civic Center
Glens Falls Civic Center
Glens Falls Civic Center is a 4,806-seat multi-purpose arena, located in downtown Glens Falls, New York, that currently serves as the home of the Adirondack Phantoms, of the AHL. Built in 1979, it was originally the home of the Adirondack Red Wings, AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings.On June...
in Glens Falls, New York
Glens Falls, New York
Glens Falls is a city in Warren County, New York, United States. Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,700 at the 2010 census...
by ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. Frazier quickly proved to be no match for the future champion; Tyson landed a vicious uppercut just 15 seconds into the bout then proceeded to club the defenceless Marvis Frazier unconscious. Referee Joe Cortez
Joe Cortez
Joe Cortez is a Puerto Rican boxing referee who has worked many important world title bouts.-Biography:Cortez moved to Puerto Rico during his childhood. Living there, he became fluent in Spanish. Cortez had a good amateur boxing career, winning various Golden Gloves tournaments from 1960 to 1962...
did not even bother to count Frazier out, as he took one look at the fallen boxer and waved off the fight. Although Tyson had won the fight in less than twenty seconds, Joe Frazier appealed to have the time of the knockout changed to thirty seconds to spare his son the embarrassment of such a quick defeat.
After Tyson, Frazier did not fight for a title again. After nearly a year away from the ring following the loss to Tyson, Frazier returned to fight twice in two months, winning both of his bouts over journeymen fighters. He won his final fight against Phillipp Brown in 1988, retiring with a career record of 19-2.
