I was the lucky one

"They told me Joe Frazier was through," Ali told Frazier at one point during the fight.
"They lied," Frazier said, before hitting Ali with a left hook.





I had a English Pointer once, lemon and white, with a chiseled head,deep chest, he was a beauty. Never believed in moving east or west, always north and south like an old school fullback. If something got in his way, too bad. Didn't push his way around the kennel, but didn't back down either. Only one name for a dog like him: "Smokin' Joe".
I was the lucky one because I was a young man during the so called "Golden Age" of boxing. Ali, Foreman, "Irish" Jerry Quarry , Little Red Lopez, and my favorite Joe Frazier. It was also the time when all sports began to morph into show business.But that's a rant for another time. Joe was a workman, skilled at his craft and did his talking with action not words.Ali was a peacock, a side show barker, but no one could take him. That is until Smokin Joe. And a legend , as they say, was born.
Today's ultimate fighting looks more like a parking lot brawl. The position these guys end up in are quite frankly embarrassing to see. Maybe you don't see boxing as I do. Part science,part art and part sport. That's fine, it is brutal and bloody, like life at times.It does have a macho tint to it. And that ain't so popular anymore.Still rest in peace Joe, you earned it. Oh and thanks.