In 1972, boxing champ Joe Frazier stopped by ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.’ Joe comes out to a big round of applause and sits down with Johnny for a spirited interview.
Johnny asks when the fight will be between Joe and George Foreman for the heavyweight title. Frazier tells him that January 2nd is the date. Johnny says, “A lot of people said the reason you’re fighting him is because they might take your title away if you didn’t fight soon.”
Joe says that isn’t the reason. He says he likes to fight and has won every fight since the one he had with Clay (Ali). Joe tells Johnny that he got out of the hospital and everything was alright, and he was anxious to get back in the ring.
Joe says, “But the problem was when I was ready to fight, everybody seemed like they were busy.” Johnny smiles and jokingly says, “I’d be awful busy at the time. I could find something to do besides fight you.”
Then, Johnny asks about Joe’s training and how it must be hard to carry all that muscle around all day. Joe says he constantly runs, but he eats whatever he wants. Joe says, “Let me show you some of the things that I go through when I run.” He pulls out two balloons, and Joe tells Johnny to blow it up until it pops. Joe does it with ease, but Johnny can’t even get a single breath of air into it.
Johnny starts to laugh and mock himself because of his weak showing. Johnny asks, “Did you give me a trick balloon?” Joe grabs it and says, “This ones a little more weighted.”
Johnny says, “I know I’m not a heavyweight champ, but I know I can blow up a balloon.” Later in the segment, the two try jumping rope, and Johnny fails miserably. Eventually, they put on boxing gloves and hit the punching bag, but Johnny constantly misses as Joe does it effortlessly.
Johnny says, “I know I’m not a heavyweight champ, but I know I can blow up a balloon.” Later in the segment, the two try jumping rope, and Johnny fails miserably. Eventually, they put on boxing gloves and hit the punching bag, but Johnny constantly misses as Joe does it effortlessly.
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