Thousands of family and friends attended the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia on Monday for a two-hour “joyful celebration” of former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier’s funeral. He died last week of liver cancer; he was 67. In attendance was former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and promoter Don King and most importantly Muhammad Ali.
With his championship belt and a pair of gloves draped over his casket, Joe Frazier was going one more round.
Wearing a dark suit and sunglasses, a frail and trembling Ali rose from his seat and vigorously clapped for “Smokin’ Joe,” the fighter who handed Ali his first loss.
His body ravaged by Parkinson’s disease, Ali was accompanied by members of his family and wife, Lonnie, who rubbed his back while he was seated and held his hands as he entered and left the church.
Thousands of mourners turned out Friday and Saturday for a public memorial viewing at the Wells Fargo Center. A 10-bell salute, boxing’s traditional 10-count farewell to its own.
Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to the media before a memorial service.
Former boxing champion Larry Holmes, center, leaves after a memorial service.
Marvis Frazier, left, is comforted after a memorial service for his father, boxing legend Joe Frazier.
Don King speaks to the media after attending a memorial service for boxing legend Joe Frazier.