Former undisputed World Heavy Weight Champion Joseph William 'Joe' Fraser died from liver cancer on Monday November 7, 2011 at age 67. "Smoking Joe," as he was called by boxing fans in the late 60's and 70's because of his relentless attacking style and bob and weave defense, came to prominence when he won the 1964 Olympic Gold medal in the heavy weight division.

He went pro in 1965 and won the heavy weight title in 1970 when he defeated then champion, Jimmy Ellis. In what was described as a ferocious display of power punching, Joe knocked down Ellis twice in the fourth round and Ellis' trainer refused to send him out for the fifth round.

But Fraser will be most remembered for the epic three fight duel with the legendary Mohammad Ali. The first in 1971, dubbed "the fight of the century," saw undefeated Fraser retaining his heavy weight title against an also then undefeated Ali, after a bruising 15 rounds of boxing. The highlight of this fight was a left hook landed by Joe in the 15th round that landed Ali on the seat of his pants. Their last two meetings would see Ali winning on both occasions in brutal and close encounters.

Fraser lost his heavy weight title and 29-0 record in Kingston, Jamaica on January 22, 1973 to George Foreman. In what was dubbed the "Sunshine Showdown," "Smoking Joe" was knocked down six times in two rounds and suffered a second round technical knockout (TKO) defeat. Fraser would fight Foreman again and lose in the final fight of his professional career in 1976. He was knocked out again by Foreman this time in the fifth round. Smoking Joe ended his career with a ring record of 32-4.

We will all miss you, even those of us who casted you in the role of villain in those epic battles against Mohammad Ali. Rest in peace "Great One."