Because he plastered Foster all over the ring like spaghetti, punchers are out IMO. Frazier needs a sneak attack counter-puncher with absurd toughness. I'm thinking: Moore Charles? Tunney Galindez? And I'm thinking Charles and Galindez would probably get chewed up. Anyone got anyone on their mind, or is this too big an ask? Your light-heavyweight can weigh in as a HW of course, they don't have to be 175lbs.
Moorer. He was a superior h2h puncher 2 any fighter Frazier ever beat. It took Holyfield and old 4man time 2 stop him so Frazier did not have z power 2 stop him @ 1 KD, even if it happens. Muhammad Qawi and Michael Spinks compete 4z 2nd spot. Did i 4get any1?
Spinks certainly has the capability. He beat a slightly better h2h (IMO) very near the man's prime. Whether he would be favourite or not is another question. I'd give prime Tunney and Charles a chance too. Finally, I'd also give Roy a small chance, if he can keep away from Frazier's power for 12 rounds. Not a great chance though.
The slow declined Holmes that Spinks beat is far away from a peak Frazier in terms of ability and perhaps more importantly, formidable stylistic nature against a smaller man imo. I see spinks getting run over in similar fashion to Ellis and Foster. Tunney would be crushed as well.Frazier a much tougher proposition at his best than that version of Dempsey.
I would have to disagree that Roy has a chance. Keep ahead of that speed of pressure for twelve? Naw. Agree with lora about Spinks. Moorer is an interesting shout!
The lightheavyweights are drawing slim. No, I'd actually bet money on the fact that there isn't one in all of history that could beat Joe in his prime. If you can't hold Joe off you, you can't win, and the man is mildly put difficult to deter. Apart from seperating him from his senses I haven't seen a surefire way, and a man that gets up six times against Foreman is hard to knock out for a light-heavyweight. No. The LHWs don't stand a chance. Not even Moore, who might get a knockdown on his best day, and a whoopin' on any day.
Interesting thread. Firstly i would question if any lightheavyweight would bring more to the table than Ali did in Fotc and i cannot see it. If Ali couldn't hold Joe off for 15 rounds then no natural 175lbs is gonna be able to achieve it for a points win and the only chance would be stopping Frazier somehow and i don't see that either.
John Henry Lewis was insanely tough, highly skilled and had a good record against heavyweights (Joe Louis not withstanding) and deserves a mention ahead of some other names. That said I wouldn't give him any more than the slimmest of slim chances (perhaps 5%). Frazier was a machine in his prime.