Smokin' Joe Frazier ~ "Comeback 1976'

[Bill Paxtom]

'Comeback 1976'

January 20, 1976

~ New Opponent Selected for Smokin' Joe ~

A new opponent has been selected for Joe Frazier's proposed comeback bout for February,
and slated for The Spectrum in Philadelphia.

'Irish' Pat Duncan has stated that he would fill in for Mac Foster who has 'opted' out.

Duncan, a 27 year-old scrappy 6' 1" and 203 lb. puncher/boxer from the Northwest
Pacific Region would be a suitable opponent.

Duncan with a record of 34-9-3 {24 KO's} has a reputation as a tough fighter, and is
currently ranked as the #9 United States Heavyweight.

'Irish Pat' last fought 5-Months ago, on August 26, 1975 - where he was stopped {L KO 8}
by 'undefeated' Duane Bobick.

Pat Duncan >

"I can give Joe the tough bout that he is looking for. But, he better come in prepared, or
he'll find out the hard way, that I'm no easy mark."

[brocktonblockbust]

'Comeback 1976'

January 20, 1976

~ New Opponent Selected for Smokin' Joe ~

A new opponent has been selected for Joe Frazier's proposed comeback bout for February,
and slated for The Spectrum in Philadelphia.

'Irish' Pat Duncan has stated that he would fill in for Mac Foster who has 'opted' out.

Duncan, a 27 year-old scrappy 6' 1" and 203 lb. puncher/boxer from the Northwest
Pacific Region would be a suitable opponent.

Duncan with a record of 34-9-3 {24 KO's} has a reputation as a tough fighter, and is
currently ranked as the #9 United States Heavyweight.

'Irish Pat' last fought 5-Months ago, on August 26, 1975 - where he was stopped {L KO 8}
by 'undefeated' Duane Bobick.

Pat Duncan >

"I can give Joe the tough bout that he is looking for. But, he better come in prepared, or
he'll find out the hard way, that I'm no easy mark."

"irish" Pat was no easy mark, but ~Earnie Shavers~ had taken the starch out of his Rising Star "Great White Hope"

[Bill Paxtom]

January 23, 1976

~ Don King Offers Smokin' Joe A Bout On The Muhammad Ali - Jean-Pierre Coopman Bout ~

Fight Promoter - Don King has offered Joe Frazier a spot on the February 20th World Championship
Bout between Muhammad Ali vs. Jean-Pierre Coopman set for San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Don King said that he would offer Smokin' Joe $125,000 to fight on the 'Main Undercard'.

Muhammad Ali is set to receive $1,100,000 and the Challenger Jean-Pierre Coopman is to
receive $100,000 with an additional $20,000 coming in from Broadcast rights from Belgium.

Don King >

"We have Jimmy Young {Philadelphia} on the Fight Card, and he is facing the Puerto Rican
Champion - Jose 'King' Roman. I would think that it would be great if Smokin' Joe would
come down and be part of the card."

"I have the Caribbean Champion {Wendell Joseph} lined up for Joe Frazer. This kid from
Trinidad and Tobago is pretty good. He's tough, and has wins over Jose 'King' Roman
and Randy Neumann. He has won '7' in a row, and he is an entertaining fighter."

Wendell Joseph > 26-8-1 {7 KO's} ~ 5' 10" ~ 185 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 9 months}

[Bill Paxtom]

January 23, 1976

~ Don King Offers Smokin' Joe A Bout On The Muhammad Ali - Jean-Pierre Coopman Bout ~

Fight Promoter - Don King has offered Joe Frazier a spot on the February 20th World Championship
Bout between Muhammad Ali vs. Jean-Pierre Coopman set for San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Don King said that he would offer Smokin' Joe $125,000 to fight on the 'Main Undercard'.

Muhammad Ali is set to receive $1,100,000 - and the Challenger Jean-Pierre Coopman is to
receive $100,000 with an additional $20,000 coming in from the broadcast rights from Belgium
Television.

From his Gym in Philadelphia,

Joe Frazier said that he would 'not' play 2nd-Fiddle to Muhammad Ali.

Joe Frazier >

"The show down in Puerto Rico is "Ali's Act". I don't want to be part of that Circus,
with Ali fighting that guy from Belgium. Is this some kind of joke or something."

"Don King wants to give me $125,000 to fight the Caribbean Heavyweight Champion
{Wendell Joseph}. That's lunch money."

[Master]

Joe was finished by then.

[Bill Paxtom]

Joe was finished by then.

I think that Don King was trying to give Smokin' Joe an easy opponent, to get
him back on track.

Joe felt that he was disrespected by the $125,000 Fight Purse, and to fight as
an Undercard Bout.

[Master]

Joe was finished by then.

I think that Don King was trying to give Smokin' Joe an easy opponent, to get
him back on track.

Joe felt the was disrespected by the $125,000 Fight Purse, and to fight as
an Undercard Bout.

I can understand that which was another reason to stay retired.