Boxing Says Farewell To 'Smokin' Jo' Frazier

Boxing great Muhammad Ali was among those who attended the funeral of former world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier in Philadelphia.

The sportsman, known as "Smokin' Joe", died last week aged 67 after a short battle with liver cancer.

A two-day public viewing was held at the Wells Fargo Centre at the sports complex in South Philadelphia.

Among others paying their respects at the funeral was civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson.

Other former boxers including Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson were also expected to go to the service.

Frazier and Ali squared off in a trio of legendary fights, including the Thrilla in Manila in 1975.

Ali won that epic contest, calling it the "closest thing to dying that I know of".

In 1970, Frazier became the undisputed heavyweight champion and a year later he successfully defended his title, becoming the first man to defeat Ali in the "Fight of the Century".

Frazier was elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.