FRAZIER LEAVES HOSPITAL

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32567, 29 March 1971, Page 26

FRAZIER LEAVES HOSPITAL

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter—Copyright)

PHILADELPHIA.

Strumming a guitar and obviously in high spirits, the world heavy-weight boxing champion, Joe Frazier, on Saturday was discharged from a hospital where he had had ttreatment for high blood pressure and a kidney ailment.

Frazier, whose admission to hospital began a spate of rumours that he was seriously ill—and even dead—was greeted by a large group of patients, newsmen, nurses and other hospital staff when he left St Luke’s Hospital. Wearing a black cowboy hat, blue bell-bottom trousers, a blue-and-white checkered shirt and a leathertrimmed brown herringbone coat, the 27-year-old champion chatted and joked with his well-wishers and signed autographs. AeVarl hntu ha fait FraT-

ier said: “How do I look? That’s the important thing?” Observers agreed he looked fine, no longer bearing any of the welts or bruises inflicted on him by Cassius Clay in their title fight on March 8. “LOOKS GOOD” Dr James Giuffre, director of the hospital, said he had given Frazier a final check-up. “He looks good. His eyes are right There is no evidence of any battle scars,” he said.