A prime Joe Frazier would have a real shot against Vitali Klitschko

205 lb vs 250 lb. A difference of almost 10 inches in height. On paper Vitali Klitschko has massive physical advantages here and I'd favor the bigger man in almost any case under such circumstances, especially when said man has excellent skill, natural ability, great chin etc. but I think this is just a terrible style for Vitali.

There are certain factors that need to be pointed out so hear me out:

1. Vitali is not a big puncher. Despite his big KO ratio he's mostly an attrition fighter who stops his man late. Looking at his fights with Byrd, Lewis, Sanders, Briggs etc. I've come to the conclusion that his power would not bother Frazier as much as Wlads or Lewis' would. As everyone knows, Frazier has incredible stamina and is as tough as nails so I think he could live with Vitalis power just fine.

2. Vitali is mostly a straight puncher. Foreman beat Frazier to death with an uppercut but Fraziers bob and weave defense was excellent against 1-2 fighters like Ali and Vitali. Frazier would come in low and cut the distance without taking a lot of punishments.

3. Fraziers body punching would sap Vitalis stamina like crazy. Frazier is the best body puncher in the history of the heavyweight division and Vitalis defense was strictly against head punches. Frazier would find Vitalis body a massive target to work with.

Overall, I see Fraziers workrate, pressure and body-punching overwhelm Vitali late to win a decision or late attrition TKO in a war of course, although either result is plausible. Opinions?

 

Frazier wouldn't be a heavyweight by modern standards. Do you know of any cruiser weights in history who'd have a shot against Vitali? Only Holyfield, and he was juiced up to his eyeballs.

 

I pointed out the size advantage. Do you have any comment on the stylistical reasons why Frazier would have success against Vitali?

Chris Byrd was a super-middle by the way.

 

I like Smokin' Joe, but that would be an horrible matchup for him.

 

When was Chris Byrd a super middleweight?

 

He weighed in at 169 for his first pro fight and then bulked up to 200 lb the next year.

Then he cut down from 215 to 175 at the age of 38. The guy was a blown-up SMW/LHW.

 

How many great victories did he have at SMW?

How many great victories did he have at HW?

That should answer your question as to what Byrd's prime weight class was.

 

What was his natural weight? Fraziers was 205. Byrd had to eat and weight-lift his way up to that number.

 

Frazier was hardly ripped to the bone at 205. I suspect he could have fought lower had he been prepared to cut weight.

Byrd had to literally starve himself to get down to light heavy as was so drained that he dislocated his shoulder when he fell on it. And you're trying to tell me he was a natural super middleweight?

 

I hate to write anybody off, but Frazier would have an uphill battle against Vitali. He isn't just a giant plodder, but a mobile giant who can control distance very well and has a very accurate punch. I agree that he isn't a devastating puncher but part of the reason for that is that he rarely commits himself and leaves himself open for a counter. In this battle of the grinders I'll take the guy with the 50lb weight advantage ...

 

Peak Vitali was a devastating puncher and Joe would be stopped. Bad match up for him.

 

I don't remember Vitali ever being a "devastating" puncher...maybe really early in his career, before the injuries but against whom?

 

Vitali hit hard, make no mistake. But his accuracy was what did the trick more than hitting hard. The damage was consistent, round after round, and he never got tired. That's why I think he was more of an attrition puncher than a bals to the wall KO artist - even considering his excellent KO ratio. I really don't see a small guy like Frazier, good as he was, grinding out the master himself. It's a horrid matchup for Joe.

 

yeah I agree, love Frazier but I would bet on Vits :bbb

 

Both boxers are renowned for their specific skills. So it's a tough question...