This has always been one of my favourite hypothetical match ups. The key question is could Joe overhaul the inevitable strong front running on the cards that Holmes would make later on to catch up ? In a 15 rounder my answer would be yes. I can see Frazier coming on strong in the last three or four rounds to pound out a UD. Maybe 9 - 6 in rounds. Tough fight.
Bad style match up for Larry. Doesn’t move as much as Ali and doesn’t punch like a foreman or shavers. Hard fight with joe climbing all over him late. UD Frazier, maybe a chance of a tko . Styles
I got the same buddy. I don't really normally pick against Holmes. He's one of my top favorites. But here..It's Smokin Joe for me.
Not many fighters have that resolve, the auto pilot that somehow gets them through beatings like Ali went through in 71 against Frazier. I don’t think Holmes goes 15 with him mate and I have Holmes ahead of him h2h lol
I certainly wouldn't count it out that Holmes gets kod. It's not an impossiblty with Prime Frazier trying to rip your head off. I'm more inclined to think Larry gets a beating from hell but literally just survive s! But this is the Smoke and not many have chin and heart as Ali, so quite possibly. Be a absolute belter tho mate, to watch.
I if you were to replace the best Holmes with the Ali of the first Frazier fight I don’t see Holmes getting up in the 15th, maybe not getting through the 11th tbh. Two great fighters though Ferg, an a really interesting match up...