Marvis Frazier facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marvis Frazier
Frazier in 1996
Statistics
Real name	Marvis Frazier
Nickname(s)	Little Smoke
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 0+1⁄2 in (1.84 m)
Reach	76 in (193 cm)
Nationality	United States
Born	(1960-09-12) September 12, 1960 (age 64) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	21
Wins	19
Wins by KO	8
Losses	2
Draws	0
No contests	0
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  United States Junior World Championships Gold 1979 Yokohama Heavyweight

Marvis Frazier (born September 12, 1960) is an American former professional boxer. He competed in the heavyweight division. Marvis is the son of the famous boxer Joe Frazier. He once fought for the heavyweight boxing title.

Early Life and Family

Marvis Frazier was born on September 12, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was Joe Frazier, who later became a world heavyweight boxing champion. Marvis often watched his father's boxing matches, including the famous fights against Muhammad Ali.

Marvis also had siblings who became boxers. His sister, Jackie Frazier-Lyde, was a professional boxer. His brother, Joe Frazier, Jr., also boxed. The Frazier family lived in a large home in Whitemarsh.

Choosing Boxing as a Sport

Marvis enjoyed many sports when he was younger. He played football, basketball, and wrestled. He especially loved football and was a running back. However, he decided to focus only on boxing. He believed in dedicating himself to one sport at a time. Marvis graduated from Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in Philadelphia.

Amateur Boxing Career

Marvis Frazier was a very promising young boxer. He was one of the best amateur heavyweights in the country. He won the National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Championship in 1979. He also won the National AAU Heavyweight Championship in 1980.

His father, Joe Frazier, and coaches like Georgie Benton helped train him. Marvis's father tried not to be too involved in his career. He did not want to put too much pressure on Marvis. Georgie Benton said that Marvis was a very good kid. He worked hard and was disciplined.

First Fights and Big Competitions

Marvis had his first amateur fight on March 4, 1977, when he was 16. He won by a unanimous decision against David Bey. By February 1979, he was ranked as a top amateur heavyweight in the U.S.

Marvis hoped to compete in the 1979 Pan American Games and the Olympics. However, his father advised him not to participate in the Pan Am trials. His father thought Marvis was too young to fight against experienced boxers like Teófilo Stevenson. Marvis also did not go to the Boxing World Cup in 1979.

A Close Call with a Plane Crash

Marvis was supposed to fly on LOT Polish Airlines Flight 7. Sadly, many of his teammates died in that plane crash. But his father, who did not like flying, told Marvis not to go. Marvis said he loved flying, but he listened to his father. He realized his father's advice saved his life.

Key Amateur Wins

Marvis had some impressive wins as an amateur. He defeated future professional boxers like Mitch Green, Tim Witherspoon, and Bonecrusher Smith. He also beat Jimmy Clark, who was a top amateur heavyweight. Marvis's amateur record was 56 wins and only 2 losses.

His coaches believed he had great potential. Georgie Benton even thought Marvis could become "the greatest heavyweight since Joe Louis." Marvis initially said he would stop boxing after the Olympics to go to college and start a business.

Professional Boxing Career

Marvis Frazier became a professional boxer. He is most remembered for two fights where he lost by knockout in the first round. These were against champion Larry Holmes in 1983 and against the rising star Mike Tyson in 1986.

Fighting Larry Holmes

Marvis fought Larry Holmes after winning his first ten professional fights. Marvis's team thought his speed and youth would help him against the champion. In the first minute of the fight, Marvis tried to tease Holmes by dropping his hands. But Holmes knocked Marvis down. Marvis got up, but he was badly hurt. The referee stopped the fight just before the first round ended. Many people thought Marvis's father made a mistake by changing Marvis's boxing style.

After the Holmes Fight

After losing to Holmes, Marvis kept fighting. He won his next six matches. He beat boxers like Bernard Benton, José Ribalta, James Tillis, and James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Most of these fights went the full ten rounds, and Marvis won by decision.

Fighting Mike Tyson

These wins led to a fight with Mike Tyson, who had won all 24 of his fights. The fight was shown live on TV. Marvis was quickly outmatched. Tyson landed a powerful uppercut and then a combination of punches. Marvis fell unconscious. The referee stopped the fight right away. This fight lasted only 30 seconds, making it Tyson's fastest knockout.

Marvis later admitted he had underestimated Tyson. He said, "I threw a jab and that's all I remember."

After the Tyson fight, Marvis did not fight for a title again. He took almost a year off. Then he returned to the ring and won two more fights. He won his final fight against Philipp Brown in 1988. Marvis Frazier retired with a professional record of 19 wins and 2 losses.

Life After Boxing

After retiring from boxing, Marvis Frazier became an ordained minister. He became very involved with Prison Fellowship Ministries. This organization helps prisoners and their families.

In 2013, Marvis wrote a book about his life. It was called Meet Marvis Frazier: The Story of the Son of Smokin' Joe. He wrote it with Jamie Potter.

Professional Boxing Record Summary