Marvis Frazier

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

Early life

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 fights 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.Being Joe Frazier's son hasn't turned his head
by Gary Ronberg, ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', August 8, 1978, 5-C.

Marvis was involved in other sports, but finally gave it all up in favor of boxing, "I played football and basketball and I wrestled, and I love them all, especially football. I was a running back. When I was in ninth grade, Duke and Temple talked to me about going there. But I fell so much in love with boxing. I gave up the other sports. Once I get into a sport. I dedicate myself to it. I don't believe in concentrating on more than one thing," Marvis Frazier said on his choice of boxing. He graduated from Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in suburban PhiladelphiaSecond generation
by Phil Pepe, ''Daily News from New York'', April 9, 1979, p. 278.

Amateur career

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.Marvis Frazier Chases Gold
(AP,) ''Albuquerque Journal'', January 28, 1979, E-8. 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."

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

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.Stevenson may have easy time
by Joe Carnicelli (AP,) ''Lowell Sun'', July 2, 1979, p. 26. 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.

Frazier intended to fly on LOT Polish Airlines Flight 7, where several of his teammates were killed, but his father always avoided flying, and forbade his son to fly as well. Frazier said of this experience:

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.

Highlights

Philadelphia Golden Gloves, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 1977 (amateur debut):
*Defeated David Bey by unanimous decision, 5–0
Pennsylvania Golden Gloves, novice division, Palestra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 1977:
*1/2: Defeated John Owens by decision
*Finals: Defeated Jarrett Smith KO 1
Pennsylvania Golden Gloves, Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 1978:
*Finals: Defeated Ed Bednarik by majority decision, 4–1
Local match-up, New Jersey, 1978:
*Defeated (no data available) RSC 2
Local match-up, Frazier's Gym, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1978:
*Defeated (no data available) KO 1
Indiana vs. Pennsylvania Golden Glovers match-up, Tyndall Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, August 1978:
*Defeated (no data available) KO 2
Boxing at the Ohio State Fair, Columbus, Ohio, August 1978:
*Defeated William Hosea by split decision, 2–1
Illinois–Kentucky–Pennsylvania Golden Glovers match-up, Dunlap, Pennsylvania, October 1978:
*Defeated Keith Little by decision
Philadelphia Golden Gloves, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February–March 1979:
*1/2: Defeated Tim Witherspoon by decision
*Finals: Defeated James Smith by decision
Eastern Golden Gloves, Liberty Bell Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 1979:
*Finals: Defeated Jimmy Clark by unanimous decision, 5–0
Pennsylvania Golden Gloves, Palestra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 1979:
*Finals: Defeated Ed Bednarik KO 1

National Golden Gloves, Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, March 1979:
*1/16: Defeated Charles Archie KO 1
*1/8: Defeated Bryon Westmoreland by decision
*1/4: Defeated Walter Ware by technical walkover
*1/2: Defeated William Hosea by decision
*Finals: Defeated Philip Brown by decision
Frazier vs. Ali teams match-up, Resorts International Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, May 1979:
*Defeated Tony Tubbs by split decision, 2–1
Frazier vs. Sports For Boys team, Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana