Joe Frazier- Greatest level of competition in the fewest fights?

Jeff Fenech had 33 fights . Won 3 world titles and was robbed in 4th attempt against Azumah.
Jeff fought World Champions
Shingaki
Payakaroon
Zarate
Richardson
Callejas
Grove
Nelson
Holiday

 

Ray Leonard.

 

Compared to Frazier's 37 fights, Evander Holyfield in his first 37 fights fought the likes of

Dwight Qawi x2
Alex Stewart
Buster Douglas
Riddick Bowe x 3
Michael Moorer
Ray Mercer
Bert Cooper
Mike Tyson x2

He also fought some that were past their best and in some cases were still very capable.

Carlos Deleon
James Tillis
Pinklon Thomas
Michael Dokes
George Foreman
Larry Holmes

 

Or Oscar de la Hoya.

 

In his 20 recorded bouts, Jim Corbett had a total of 12 fights against 9 future HOFers:

Jeffries x 2
Kid McCoy
Tom Sharkey x 2
Fitzsimmons
Charlie Mitchell
John L. Sullivan
Peter Jackson
Jack Kilrain
Joe choynski x 2

Are there any other world champs, who met HOFers in more than half their recorded fights?

 

Jake Kilrain is in the HOF?

 

But when he met them.
Mitchell was a back number.
Choynski a novice.
Sullivan a 34 years old alcoholic who hadn't fought in 4 years.
Kilrain a past prime bareknuckle fighter.
He lost to Fitzsimmons and Sharkey and had a No Dec with Jackson.
The jury is still out on the McCoy fight.

 

Sugar Ray Leonard

 

Speaking of Frazier he had a very strong resume, but I've always wondered what would have happened if he fought Mac Foster, Ron Lyle and Earnie Shavers. I think luckily for him he had Jerry Quarry who beat all 3, and unluckily for Quarry, Joe had his number.

 

Jerry Quarry... the true "Gatekeeper" of the early 70's.

 

Boom.

 

Yes very impressive how Frazier consistently picked top competition and performed well--only losing to HOFers Ali and Foreman. There werent a bunch of bums or washed up fighters coming off a loss on his record. He pretty much cleaned out the division on his way to the championship and beat the two best fighters in the world to earn it (ellis and mathis) and then beating Ali decisively for the "true" lineal belt was the icing on the cake. A remarkable record no matter how you look at it.

 

He did get a gift in his 1981 comeback against Jumbo Cummings. I thought Cummings clearly beat him, but Joe was nearly 38 coming off a 5 year layoff. He got a draw which I felt he was very lucky to get.