In this fascinating account . . . Lewis charts Frazier’s rise from southern farm boy to 1964 Olympic heavyweight boxing champion, and argues that the Frazier-Ali rivalry that followed was arguably “the greatest individual rivalry in all of sports.” . . . Lewis’s access to Frazier’s family, meanwhile, offers insight into the fighter’s personal life and his influence on his son . . . Lewis brings a painstaking level of detail to his breakdown of the famous rivalry. This is a knockout.

Publishers Weekly

There is no shortage of material in boxing literature about the epic rivalry of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, but most of those accounts center on Ali. This compelling blend of reportage and narrative nonfiction changes the focus to Frazier, delving into his career in the ring and his life after his third fight with Ali, the iconic "Thrilla in Manilla," as well as exploring the brief boxing career of Frazier's son Marvis. Drawing on interviews conducted by journalist Lewis with Joe, Marvis, and others in the Frazier entourage in 1980, the book offers insightful portraits of both father and son, capturing not only Joe's love for Marvis, but also the former heavyweight champion's arguable mismanagement of his son's career by attempting to force the younger Frazier into adopting the same kind of brawling, ever-advancing approach that defined Joe's style. Along the way, Lewis reprises the high and low points in Joe's own career, offering a convincing argument that Frazier should have been awarded the decision in his second Ali bout and sensitively describing the effects on Frazier of Ali's cruel taunting of his rival, especially the absurd claim that Joe was an "Uncle Tom." This Maileresque combination of personal reflection, boxing analysis, and sports biography is a must read for fight fans, especially those whose understandable idolatry of Ali have kept them from seeing Frazier as a notably complex, generous, and loving man.

Booklist, Starred Review

In the spring of 1980, journalist Glenn Lewis visited Joe Frazier's boxing gym, the first step in shadowing Joe and his son Marvis for a long article. It was a propitious time. Joe's fighting days were all but over, and Marvis's professional career was close at hand. In most cases, the end of a fighter's career is not a happy time: it is often punctuated by painful losses and anxiety about the future. Joe, however, had a plan. Convinced that he could sing, he was intent on taking his act on the road. Marvis also had dreams—dreams of Olympic glory and then a heavyweight title. Both men would face bitter disappointment, but the story of their season of high hopes provides an interesting look at both father and son. Lewis, a journalism professor at York College (CUNY), presents a convincing tale. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

In the spring of 1980, journalist Glenn Lewis visited Joe Frazier's boxing gym, the first step in shadowing Joe and his son Marvis for a long article. It was a propitious time. Joe's fighting days were all but over, and Marvis's professional career was close at hand. In most cases, the end of a fighter's career is not a happy time: it is often punctuated by painful losses and anxiety about the future. Joe, however, had a plan. Convinced that he could sing, he was intent on taking his act on the road. Marvis also had dreams—dreams of Olympic glory and then a heavyweight title. Both men would face bitter disappointment, but the story of their season of high hopes provides an interesting look at both father and son. Lewis, a journalism professor at New College (CUNY), presents a convincing tale. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Even if you're not a boxing fan, you'll love this sizzling book. It’s a real eye opener into the lives and minds of two great fighters and the people around them, with never-before-known nuggets. Relive ‘The Fight of the Century’ and their two other venomous brawls. Go down to ringside with Frank Sinatra, Norman Mailer, Woody Allen, and even Burt Lancaster. Spectacularly human and a real page-turner.

George Arzt, Former NY Post political reporter, Fox-5 News editor and Press Secretary to Mayor Edward I. Koch

Fighting, family, race, resilience, and the ever-looming presence of Muhammad Ali -- Glenn Lewis provides full context for this intimate portrait of the great Joe Frazier. Lewis views Frazier with clear eyes and genuine heart. In these pages, we feel the fire that burned within Smokin' Joe.

Anthony DeCurtis, Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone