Smokin' Joe Frazier ~ "Comeback 1976'

[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 4, 1976

~ Former Champion - Joe Frazier To Fight South Seas Champion ~

Smokin' Joe Frazier has been offered $240,000 to fight South Seas Champion -
Mani Vaka on Saturday, February 28th.

The former Champion will have 3 1/2 Weeks to get ready to face Mani Vaka, a hard-
hitting Heavyweight from Tonga.

The bout will take place at the International Center Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii - and
ABC-TV will broadcast the Saturday bout.

Mani Vaka, a 30 year-old Tonga Heavyweight, is a game-fighter, and has a reported
record of 35-8-0 with {25 KO's}. Vaka stands at 6' 0" and weighs 208 lbs. The Tongan
has a big right-hand, and has only been 'stopped' once in his 9-Year career.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 22, 1976

~ Smokin' Joe Now Moving to Madison Square Garden For March Comeback Bout ~

The on-again/off-again comeback bout for former Champion - Joe Frazier has now been
slated for Madison Square Garden.

The 32 year-old former Champion has a record of 32-3-0 with {27 KO's}, and has been
undecided with several changes in his 'comeback' schedule.
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Joe Frazier >

"I have been in the Gym. Right now I'm about 75% of where I should be. I'll need about
'3' more weeks, and then I'll be ready for a mid-March bout."

A tentative date has been set for mid-March.

The opponent, 21 year-old New York Heavyweight - Kevin Isaac.

Kevin, who has a record of 11-3-1 with {7 KO's} was the 1973 New York Golden Gloves
Heavyweight Champion.

The Brooklyn-born Isaac, is a 6' 1" fast-handed boxer with surprising power for a 190 lb.
fighter.
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Kevin Isaac >

"I'm not afraid of the big stage. I've fought at the Garden before, so I'm not in the least
bit intimidated."

"I'm honored to fight Joe Frazier. But, I will not be a walk-over."