Marvis Frazier

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

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.

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 Philadelphia

Marvis was a highly touted prospect and among the top-ranked amateur heavyweights.

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:

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

Local match-up, New Jersey, 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:

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

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.

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:

"Me, I love flying, but my father is the man of the house and he gave me an order not to go. I talked to my father on the phone this morning when he heard the news and he said 'See, son, I told you those planes will kill you,'' said Marvis."

Among his best amateur wins were against future pro contender Mitch Green, and future champs Tim Witherspoon, and Bonecrusher Smith.

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

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:

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.