Brett Banter

Joe Frazier was from South Carolina. Never forget that. He was associated with Philadelphia during his boxing career, but Palmetto State red clay was where his heels first touched the Earth. Frazier died over night leaving behind a legacy that is hard to understand and fathom in America. Sports fans love a winner. Joe Frazier was a winner -- he was the boxing heavyweight champion of the world when being heavyweight champion of the world meant you were the baddest man on the planet. You didn't even have to say boxing. Just heavyweight champ and people knew what you were talking about.

Frazier was that man.

But Frazier is best and most often remembered as the loser -- in two of three epic battles with Muhammad Ali. The man formerly known as Cassius Clay has gone on to become the face of boxing of all-time. He has become one of the most celebrated athletes in history. He is an icon. He carried the torch at The Olympics. Will Smith played him in a movie.

Frazier has gotten some of that, but it pales. He played himself in the original Rocky. He did a fantastic Miller Lite commercial. But without Smokin' Joe, there quite frankly would be no Ali as we know him. Frazier was the perfect foil for Ali and all hyped by the nasally undertones of Howard Cosell. Ali would have been a boxing great, but the Frazier fights made him a legend. Ali needed Frazier and Frazier needed Ali. They are joined at the hip forever. Ali was the winner and Frazier the loser.

They say people never remember the loser. They remember Frazier because even though he lost, he won. He gained a status as the man who crushed Ali, who tamed Ali, who made Ali.

Farewell Joe Frazier.