Muhammed Ali was among a host of boxing greats who paid tribute to the late Joe Frazier after attending his funeral on Monday.

"Smokin Joe", an Olympic gold medallist in 1964 and a former world heavyweight champion, died last week after a short battle with liver cancer.

Heavyweight legend Larry Holmes and eccentric promoter Don King were also present at the service, held in Frazier's hometown of Philadelphia.

Civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson also attended and called for Philadelphia to honour Frazier with a statue, similar to that of Rocky Balboa - a fictional boxer from the same state.

"Joe paid real dues and he is a guy who we can emulate because of his sense of family, an ordinary Joe with extraordinary things," Jackson said.

"He remained a guy from the streets, so Philadelphia will honour itself by honouring Joe Frazier, but better late than never."

Frazier was most fondly remembered for his battles with Ali, with whom he fought three times in the 1970s.