Marvis Frazier

Illinois–Kentucky–Pennsylvania Golden Glovers match-up, Dunlap, Pennsylvania, October 1978:

Philadelphia Golden Gloves, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February–March 1979:

This set up the fight with the 24–0 Tyson, which was broadcast live from the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, New York by ABC. Frazier quickly proved to be no match for the future champion as Tyson came out firing. Fifteen seconds into the fight, Tyson scored with a huge uppercut that knocked Frazier senseless and hit him with a combination as Frazier slumped to the canvas unconscious. Referee Joe Cortez started to count while looking at Frazier, but immediately waved off the fight once he saw that Frazier was out cold. The bout only lasted thirty seconds, which proved to be Tyson's quickest knockout of his career.

In 2013 Marvis completed his autobiography, Meet Marvis Frazier: The Story of the Son of Smokin' Joe, with co-author Jamie Potter.

After Tyson, Frazier did not fight for a title again. After nearly a year away from the ring following the loss to Tyson, Frazier returned to fight twice in two months, winning both of his bouts over journeymen fighters. He won his final fight against Phillipp Brown in 1988, retiring with a career record of 19–2.

As a professional, Frazier is best remembered for two fights, unfortunately both first-round knockout losses: to champion Larry Holmes (a TKO) in 1983 and a rising Mike Tyson in 1986 (a KO). Pitted against Holmes after just ten pro bouts (all victories), Frazier's camp touted his speed and youth as significant advantages over the champion. During the first minute of the fight Frazier dropped his hands to his sides and playfully moved his head back and forth, taunting Holmes: ill-advised behavior against an experienced veteran. Just 2:06 in, Holmes floored Frazier with a long right hand, knocking him down; Marvis took an eight-count and got back up. Dazed by the blow, Frazier was a sitting target and Holmes followed up, appealing for the referee to step in as he pummelled the younger man on the ropes. Finally, the referee stopped the bout with just a few seconds left in the first round, awarding Holmes a technical knockout. Many in the sports press criticized father/trainer Joe Frazier for changing his son's style from that of an out-fighter (which brought Marvis success as an amateur) to an in-fighter, which many thought did not suit Marvis.

Among his best amateur wins were against future pro contender Mitch Green, and future champs Tim Witherspoon, and Bonecrusher Smith. He also decisioned amateur star Jimmy Clark (the #2 ranked amateur heavyweight in the country.) He was KOd by James Broad, a man "I know nothing about," in the 1980 Olympic Trials finals.

Frazier vs. Ali teams match-up, Houston, Texas, February 1980:

National Championships, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 1980:

Marvis was a highly touted prospect and among the top-ranked amateur heavyweights. He was the 1979 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion and 1980 National AAU Heavyweight Champion. He was coached partly by his father, and in part by Georgie Benton and Val Colbert. "My dad tried not to play too active a role in my career for fear of putting pressure on me," Marvis said. Benton said that Marvis was a model kid. He grew up "like he was poor". According to Benton, "there were no favors. When the grass on the Fraziers' two-and-a-half acre plot needed cutting, Marvis did it. With a hand mower. He goes to choir practice Monday nights, Bible study Wednesday nights and church on Sunday. He doesn't smoke, drink or run around. Not because such strictures are demanded of him, but because that's the way he is boxing or no boxing."

In February 1979, Frazier was ranked #2 U.S. amateur heavyweight by the U.S. Amateur Boxers and Coaches Association, and #1 by the Amateur Athletic Union. Frazier was a runner-up for the 1979 Pan American Games, where he was expected to meet Teófilo Stevenson for the first time in this competition. He was concentrating on the Pan American trials and the Pan Am games, after that, he was aiming for a shot at the Olympics. "That's my goal," he said, but ultimately did not take part in the Pan Am trials on the advice of his father. Joe Frazier thought his 19-year-old son was still too young and inexperienced to meet Stevenson. Marvis didn't show at the 1979 National Sports Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado, because his father insisted that they send airplane tickets for an accompanying entourage of three people with all expenses paid. Frazier also pulled out of the World Cup, staged in New York, in October 1979, for the event was largely neglected after Cuba was banned from participation after refusing to team-up with the U.S. to form the "North American team" to compete versus European and other world's athletes.

Eastern Golden Gloves, Liberty Bell Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 1979:

Pennsylvania Golden Gloves, Palestra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 1979:

National Golden Gloves, Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, March 1979:

Frazier vs. Ali teams match-up, Resorts International Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, May 1979:

Frazier vs. Sports For Boys team, Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, July 1979:

Frazier vs. Clarion team, Tippin Gymnasium, Clarion, Pennsylvania, October 1979:

Florida vs. Pennsylvania Golden Glovers match-up, Coliseum, Jacksonville, Florida, November 1979:

Junior World Championships, Yokohama, Japan, December 1979:

Marvis promised there will be no pro career. "If I can get that Olympic medal, that's it. I'm going to college (Peirce Junior College in Philadelphia,) and then get in business," he said in 1979. But trainer Georgie Benton saw greater potential, "He's on the road to being a defensive genius. Give me 18 months and I'll have him looking like another Houdini. If you hit him with one hand, you better forget about hitting him with that hand again. You might as well put it in your pocket He can do whatever the situation calls for. He's 18, and he's doing some things the top contenders don't do. Wait until he matures and develops a man's strength," Benton said. Benton, predicted Marvis Frazier will be "the greatest heavyweight since Joe Louis."

Pennsylvania Golden Gloves, Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 1978:

Local match-up, Frazier's Gym, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1978:

Indiana vs. Pennsylvania Golden Glovers match-up, Tyndall Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 1978:

Boxing at the Ohio State Fair, Columbus, Ohio, August 1978:

His amateur debut came on March 4, 1977, age 16, with a unanimous decision victory over David Bey in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Golden Gloves, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 1977 (amateur debut):

Pennsylvania Golden Gloves, novice division, Palestra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 1977:

Marvis is the son of former heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer, Joe Frazier. Marvis was at ringside for all of his father's fights after the second Oscar Bonavena bout in December 1968, including the great battles with Muhammad Ali. Marvis exhibited four rounds with his father in Rochester, New York, on December 3, 1976, and staged another exhibition in 1977.) His sister Jackie Frazier-Lyde was also a professional boxer, as was his brother Joe Frazier, Jr. (a.k.a. Hector Frazier). Marvis lived with his family in a 16-room stone split-level home in Whitemarsh.

Marvis Frazier (born September 12, 1960) is an American former professional boxer who fought in the heavyweight division.