A frail Ali shows up for Frazier funeral
Source: Agencies |
November 16, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WITH his championship belt and a pair of gloves draped over his casket, Joe Frazier was going one more round.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson asked mourners to rise, put their hands together and for one last time "show your love" for the former heavyweight champion. Muhammad Ali obliged.
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.
Ali was among the nearly 4,000 people who packed the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where Frazier spent much of his life, for a two-hour "joyful celebration." He died last week of liver cancer at the age of 67.
Also attending were former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins and promoter Don King.
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.
Jackson delivered a stirring eulogy, describing Frazier as someone who "came from segregation, degradation and disgrace to amazing grace."
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, a catch in his voice, sent a videotaped message of condolence, as did real estate magnate Donald Trump and actor Mickey Rourke.
King, wearing an US flag scarf and clutching a mini-flag, walked over to shake Ali's hand before the funeral; Holmes greeted "The Greatest" when the service ended - with a 10-bell salute, boxing's traditional 10-count farewell to its own.
"We made history together," said King. "We tried to make America better."
The Rev. Jesse Jackson asked mourners to rise, put their hands together and for one last time "show your love" for the former heavyweight champion. Muhammad Ali obliged.
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.
Ali was among the nearly 4,000 people who packed the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where Frazier spent much of his life, for a two-hour "joyful celebration." He died last week of liver cancer at the age of 67.
Also attending were former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins and promoter Don King.
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.
Jackson delivered a stirring eulogy, describing Frazier as someone who "came from segregation, degradation and disgrace to amazing grace."
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, a catch in his voice, sent a videotaped message of condolence, as did real estate magnate Donald Trump and actor Mickey Rourke.
King, wearing an US flag scarf and clutching a mini-flag, walked over to shake Ali's hand before the funeral; Holmes greeted "The Greatest" when the service ended - with a 10-bell salute, boxing's traditional 10-count farewell to its own.
"We made history together," said King. "We tried to make America better."
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