Guest post by: Leslie R. Wolff

The passing of Muhammad Ali has brought forth here in Philadelphia memories of the boxing history between him and Smokin’ Joe Frazier and no matter the record of each there will always be a debate over who was the better boxer. My interest lies with Smokin’ Joe Frazier and the Champion he was “outside” the ring.

Who am I? I had the honor of being Joe Frazier’s business and personal manager for the last 7 1/2 years of his life and more importantly, his friend. The only contact I personally had with Ali was at Joe’s funeral and it really was more of an observation than a discussion, as his physical condition at the time did not lend itself to a conversation of any kind. It was at least a show of overdue respect to a man who helped him out financially and spiritually after he lost his boxing license for refusing the draft call.

There was so much more to what made Smokin’ Joe the champion he was in life outside of the boxing ring. The following excerpts from a book I’m writing about this incredible human being exemplify some examples reflecting on this personal side. Actually it is more of a collection of how he was perceived by friends, fans and opponents.

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Who was the first African American man to address the South Carolina legislature after the Civil War? It wasn’t Booker T. Washington or W.E.B. DuBois or even Dr. Martin Luther King. It was heavyweight boxing champion “Smokin Joe Frazier.”

In that room with a confederate flag backdrop, in front of a chamber with only three black representatives among its 170 elected officials, Frazier’s message was gentle. He told jokes to great laughter about growing up in Beaufort and say, “Yes bawse and no bawse” no matter the question.

He also said earnestly, “We must save our people, and when I say ‘our people’ I mean white and black. We need to quit thinking about who drives the fanciest car or who is my little daughter going to play with, who is she going to sit next to in school. We don’t have time for that.”

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Then there was the Canadian fan, a retired schoolteacher who had a strong desire to meet Joe, accentuated by a concern that his illness might keep that from ever happening. He called me asking if he came to Philly would he be able to meet Joe. As it turned out we were going to be in Toronto and we invited him and a friend to join us for dinner.

Joe, although tired out from a day of schmoozing with fans, arrived just 5 minutes late for dinner and, greeted him like he had been this friend for years.

At the end of that dinner Joe gave him his Stetson as a gift. To this day this fan credits that “gift” of Joe’s time and attention to leading to his cure from prostate cancer.

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Then there was the time the Champ was asked to visit a Boys and Girls Club in Delaware. The Champ spoke to approximately 100 young people about life and how important it is to obey your parents. After the speech the Champ signed autographs for each kid and adult. The special part about the autograph signing was the fact that he took the time before each signing and asked each person’s name.

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Joe spent countless hours and days assisting the young dedicated amateur boxers around the Country. Few boxers had the heart to give it 1000% inside the ring each fight and even less had the sincere desire to give back to the community like Joe Frazier. He never made as if you were bothering him or pestering him for his time and that alone is unique.

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Joe Frazier was a professional as a professional as a boxer and as a humanitarian. His work with young people has been an inspiration and role model for many young people across the Country. If there were a record and award for the Good things that are done in life, Joe Frazier would be a multi World Champion.

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Beautiful tribute to Joe Frazier. He was in life, an even bigger champion in my mind and heart. His endearing efforts to help others is incredible. He had a love of children and helped the homeless through his efforts of support with One Step Away, a Philadelphia based organization that has spread now to Wilmington, Del.

Joe is a legend and even his biggest adversary’s admired him to the end. I remember a good friend of mine who once met Joe on a street in Philly. His words were descriptive like the nature of Joe’s heart, “He had hands the size of a bear”, was the way he described meeting Joe Frazier. Indeed Joe Frazier was a big man – a true champion both inside and better yet outside the ring.

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Many people never knew the Joe Frazier we had the privilege of that is being around the Philly area. Joe on the other hand was private about his help to others. He would visit the sick at the VA hospital where my dad spent so many years. He supported the police and his help toward needy children and up and coming athletes were no different.

I will say this; for those who really knew Joe, they knew he was a champion outside the ring every round and bout! Though he will be missed, Joe will always be remembered by those who really knew the champ.

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To get a true understanding of this man is to understand his personal philosophy, which he often stated – “There is no right way to do wrong and no wrong way to do right” – A truth he practiced as well as preached.

Leslie R. Wolff is an experienced marketing strategist, creative tactician and executive coach. Les is a stimulating speaker with a highly interactive dialogue format with his audience. Les can be reached at 215-334-3432 or e-mail him at marketingsmartly@aol.com.