Boxing Community Reacts to Death of Legendary Joe Frazier

He was a kid named Ali, traveling to sports arenas with his father to watch Pay-Per-View boxing matches, inspired by his favorite boxer who was, unsurprisingly, Muhammad Ali.

Then there was his favorite boxer's favorite foe: Smokin' Joe.

Legendary boxer Joe Frazier, known for his fierce bouts in the ring with Muhammad Ali including the "Fight of the Century" and the "Thrilla in Manila," died Monday at age 67 of liver cancer.

Frazier, who was known as Smokin' Joe, had only been diagnosed with liver cancer in recent weeks. Word of the former heavyweight champion's death spread quickly, including to the mats of LA Boxing in Rancho Peñasquitos, which is owned by the grown up "kid named Ali"—Ali Shetula.

"One of the greatest fighters ever," Shetula said of Frazier. "Sad to see him go."

Though Ali was his favorite boxer, Shetula said he had a "great respect" for Frazier. Watching Smokin' Joe go up against the greats like Ali and George Foreman energized him about boxing, Shetula said.

"He definitely fueled the passion for the sport for me," Shetula said.

Ali, too, had positive words about Frazier in the wake of his death.

"The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration," Ali said in a short statement, according to the Associated Press. "My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones."

Several prominent boxers and athletes took to Twitter after news of Frazier's death broke Monday night.

"RIP Smokin Joe. My thoughts and prayers go out to to the Frazier family. We lost an all time great tonight," boxer Floyd Mayweather tweeted.

San Diego native Reggie Bush, a running back for the NFL's Miami Dolphins, also shared his thoughts about the boxer's death on Twitter, saying, "R.I.P The legend himself Mr. Joe Frazier. May god rest his soul."

Shetula, who said he never had the opportunity to meet Frazier or watch him fight live, said he can tell Frazier lived quite the life, though it's sad to see him die at the young age of 67.

"It's a big loss to the boxing community," Shetula said.

More about Frazier:

Obituary in The New York Times

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