How Bad did Frazier fade from FOTC 1971 to 1973

I think Frazier fell off greatly. For a couple of reasons, one he had reached the pinnacle of his career in beating Ali and naturally lost some of his drive, secondly his style was one that burns out quickly.

I think he truly felt his has robbed in the 2nd Ali fight and that some of the wind out of his sails.

All in all Frazier had a truly great career.

 

He did indeed slip after FOTC. Mind you,he was still a very dangerous fighter circa 1971-75. After Manilla,he was finished though.

 

This thing about Frazier's ankle seems to be a revisionist view. It was rarely mentioned until a couple or so years ago.

 

Like what kinda of injuries buddy? Was it exhaustion... possible brain trauma.. Eye damage.. any medical records to verify injuries... I guess I just never heard he was badly hurt during the FOTC so I'm curious for more info

 

i remember in that old HBO doc one nation divisible about the FOTC they said Frazier was in the hospital and almost died

after that fight he didnt really have any memorable victories, gained weight, and toured with his band

i think Yank Durham wanted him to retire and wanted no part of Foreman aka Rocky and Clubber Lang

trainer knew it was time for his guy to hang em up but the fighter felt like they couldnt lose

Its funny how his career can be cut in two from that big fight and how he was never the same, how he fought so few fights and never reclaimed the same glory

 

Despite a Form Flashback of sorts against Jerry Quarry, Joe never seemed to have that Sheen and definition he had up to and including FOTC, I think not only did the punishment he took from Ali contributed, but he also punished himself in his drive to beat Ali..he had to mentally make an appointment his body couldnt keep...but the body kept it...at the expense of future appointments...and when all is said and done....with the worlds focus on this "Ëvent" ...with a berating Nemesis...to emerge victorious ....mentally and emotionally nothing could be as big or meaningful again ...The fire had to burn out to a big degree. If Joe had retired after FOTC people might be debating exactly how Long Foreman would have lasted with HIM !?

 

I think he lost his drive after the FOTC. He gained about 10 pounds than the weight he first fought Ali, his peak weight.

 

Well it was kept quiet but known that he had a bad eye, very limited vision. Plus, he put his body through hell in FOTC. And for some fighters, after a fight like that are never physically the same... Phsically I have no doubt that he was less than and mentally, I don`t think he evr got himself anywhere near that peak again ...

 

as one of the boxings mags screamed out with a banner headline (to paraphrase slightly) ""joe Frazier left his heart in that ring after the FOTC""...i truly believe that he did just that. After March 8 1971, we would never again see that version of Joe Frazier. He was about 75-80% of his best form when he defended his title against George Foreman. Not swaying that the FOTC Frazier would have beaten Foreman, but he would have had a better shot at it IMO.

 

Agree with the consensus that Frazier dropped off significantly after the FOTC. But George Foreman had something to do with that too...

 

More mental than physical perhaps. I mean mental in terms of the vigor of training. Frazier climbed Everest after winning the FOTC.

 

His blood pressure went dangerously high. He had trouble with High Blood pressure even before that fight. It was a combination of the magnitude of the event, the incredible stress he put is body through in training and ofcourse the actual fight itself.