Joe Frazier Battling Liver Cancer, Has ‘Short Time To Live,’ According To Report

Boxing legend Joe Frazier has liver cancer and may not have long to live, according to multiple reports.

“He’s in serious shape, we’re looking for a miracle,” a source close to Frazier told the New York Post. “They’re only giving him a short time to live. We need to have as many people as possible praying for Joe right now.”

Leslie Wolff, Frazier’s longtime manager, confirmed the report, telling the Associated Press that the 67-year-old former champion was diagnosed four or five weeks ago and is currently receiving hospice care.

Frazier, who won gold at the 1964 Olympics, became the undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970 after defeating Jimmy Ellis. He became the first man to defeat Muhammad Ali in the “Fight of the Century” in 1971, but lost his title when George Foreman gave him his first professional loss in 1973.

Frazier and Ali would fight two more times, with Ali winning in New York in 1974 and again in the “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975. Frazier retired after losing to Foreman in 1976 before attempting a brief comeback in 1981. He posted a 32-4-1 record, winning 27 times by knockout.

For more on Frazier, visit boxing blog Bad Left Hook.