Editing Joe Frazier (section)

===Introduction to boxing===
In the early 1950s, Frazier's father bought a black and white television, and the family and others nearby came to watch boxing matches on it. Frazier's mother sold drinks for a quarter as they watched boxers like [[Sugar Ray Robinson]], [[Rocky Marciano]], [[Willie Pep]], and [[Rocky Graziano]]. One night, Frazier's uncle, Israel, noticed his stocky build. "That boy there... that boy is gonna be another [[Joe Louis]]", he remarked. The words made an impression on Joe. His classmates at school would give him a sandwich or a quarter to walk with them at final bell so that bullies would not bother them. Frazier said, "Any 'scamboogah' [disrespectful, low-down and foul person] who got in my face would soon regret it; Billie Boy could kick anybody's ass." The day after his uncle's comment, Frazier filled an old burlap sack with rags, corncobs, a brick, and [[Spanish moss]]. He hung the makeshift heavybag from an oak tree in the backyard. "For the next 6, 7 years, damn near every day I'd hit that heavybag for an hour at a time. I'd wrap my hands with a necktie of my Daddy's, or a stocking of my Momma's or sister's, and get to it," he remarked.<ref>[[#Frazier|Frazier]], p. 9.</ref>