Lennox Lewis told Sky Sports News that Joe Frazier's success has left an indelible mark on boxing.
Boxing has lost a fighter of great heart, says Lewis
Joe Frazier's unique style has left an indelible mark on boxing, according to Lennox Lewis.
Briton Lewis - like Frazier, a former undisputed heavyweight world champion - told
Sky Sports News HD that 'Smokin' Joe' was a "remarkable man" and a big influence on his own career.
Frazier, best known for his epic fights against Muhammad Ali, died in November from liver cancer. He was 67.
"He [Frazier] has given us some great history in the past," Lewis told
Sky Sports News HD.
"He and Muhammad Ali have got a kindred soul because without Joe Frazier you wouldn't get the 'Thrilla In Manila' and great fights like we've had in the past.
"Joe Frazier had great heart and he showed it in his fighting ability; he was the first man who really gave you that ducking style so when Muhammad Ali threw a punch, he would already be ducking.
"Muhammad Ali described him as a man that when he was in the ring with, he could almost see death.
"There was great respect between the two great men; they admired each other and respected each other. You can't but respect each other when you've been through gruelling, epic matches like the two boxers have."
Inspiration
Frazier won 32 of his 37 fights, 27 by knockout, losing just four times in a stellar period for boxing's heavyweight division.
Lewis said that his accomplishments were all the more remarkable given that, unlike his conquerors Ali and George Foreman, he was under six foot tall.
"It was an era filled with great men and strong-willed men and unique boxing styles; that was definitely a part of history where you could say there were a lot of heavyweights. Now they can say 'where have all the heavyweights gone?'
"Because of his unique style he wasn't an easy man to hit and any time he hit you with that great left hook - and that was his best punch - he would definitely take you out.
"He was a big inspiration for me because these were the first fights that people would actually wait around for the weekend to see - these epic battles. You could say they were the first fight parties.
"He was a remarkable man and very few boxers can follow in his footsteps; hopefully in the future down the line somebody will appear who will box like him, using that side-to-side head movement. Even Mike Tyson took a little of Joe Frazier's style because it was so unique."
