Prime Frazier had that whip like, very fast, left hook. He would land that hook easily against the huge but equally slow fighters like Bruno. It won’t take many to put the Brit on ***** Street. One issue for Joe could be his slow start. Bruno’s only shot would be to jump all over Frazier early. The first 3-4 rounds would be dangerous for Frazier.
But unlike Bruno, Foreman had a granite chin and unreal composure. I think both fighters are capable of stopping the other if they land clean. Bruno had a good jab but it was slow and not as versatile as the jab of Ali or Ellis. If we're talking prime Frazier ('70), he should be able to deal with Bruno's jab. Bruno was hurt by left hooks against Tyson, Lewis, and Bonecrusher. Bruno had this habit where he'd lower his right hand when he jabbed. He did that to set up his right hand. He'd jab and pull his right arm back so he could get more leverage on his right hand. Bruno was also vulnerable to the overhand right when/after he jabbed but Frazier didn't really have a right hand counter. Bruno was defensively flawed (like 99% of the heavyweights) but his offence was definitely world class. I can see him troubling Frazier with his jab early on since he has a significant reach advantage and he was a fast starter but I don't think he could stop Frazier the way Foreman did. Bruno fought with a lot of nervous energy and he left himself open. But since he was aggressive and carried KO power, his opponents rarely made him pay for his mistakes until he started gassing. Watch Bruno vs Tyson. Bruno's output was unusually low against Tyson because he was weary of the counters. Frazier had great head movement and a legendary left hook. I think Frazier would make Bruno miss a lot and unlike Bruno, Frazier can win this fight early or late. Frazier did win a meaningful fight after FOTC. That would be Frazier-Quarry II in '74. In the previous year, Quarry had schooled an undefeated Ron Lyle and KO'd Shavers in the 1st round. It's not a significant win, but meaningful nonetheless. Frazier's 8 fight run from Mathis to Ali was truly spectacular. I think most boxing fans agree that Frazier was done after FOTC. He got ragdolled by Foreman but I can see prime Foreman doing something similar to Bruno. Frazier at his best should be rightfully favoured over prime Bruno. Frazier was the superior fighter by a mile.
Bruno would have a VERY difficult job landing his jab on prime Frazier. Joe would see this punch coming a mile away.
I disagree, but that's a fair argument. If you're correct then it even possible that FB takes care of business the short way.
Why is that headcase in a bunch of matchups he has no chance of winning? Smokin Joe would half kill that Uncle Tom.
Yep. But The early rounds are always dangerous for frazier, especially when he is matched up with a big punchers. But Frankie, your not fighting Oliver McCall, you're not fighting old James Tillis, you're fightin' Joe Frazier!!
Because he deserves it! I can assure you he wouldn't be favored over anyone in the upcoming threads, but we should give him the spotlight!
I agree, any big puncher is always dangerous to Frazier for three or four rounds. Bruno is so stiff, tense, and sloppy though, that I don't know if he would be able to deliver the necessary power to stop Frazier early.
Yeah gotta go with Joe here. Frank might land a few decent shots and wobble Frazier but ultimately he’s getting stopped