Foreman had better get the 1969 Joe Frazier out of there before Joe really starts smokin.' If Foreman gets tired in the mid-rounds he would have been toast. I think he would still probably hurt the slow-starting Frazier early and that would have been the difference. Foreman by TKO in 8 in a much tougher fight.
Agree with you here. The key is Foreman being able to do enough damage to Frazier early in the fight and potentially stopping him around 8 or 9. If prime Frazier is able to survive the early rounds against Foreman and starts putting the rhythm to his left hook combinations, then he stops Foreman around the same time. A shot and blind Frazier, relying on boxing skill alone lasted five rounds against a very disciplined and smarter Foreman in 1976.
A lot closer. Frazier was like a Sherman tank pre-Ali I. Frazier could win if he didn't come out so cold and open, like he did in first Ali and Foreman fights.
15 said fact how joe made ali miss didnt ali have the best punch tech back then mixed with speed so why do weirdos say how George would just hit him so easy it's no way he hits joe easy when he was so sloopy we seen that in the 2nd match where he missed mutiple shots so logic says the real joe makes him miss more I see no reason to think George just runs through him easy
In 1969, Smoking Joe Frazier was a hungry 5 state Heavyweight Champion trying to cement his place in the public's mind as champion. Jimmy Ellis was the WBA Champion, and very inactive I might add. Joe was like a locomotive roaring down the Railroad track, always bobbing and weaving, coming forward to land that signature left hook to the body and head, and he would not step back, pressuring his opponents. Joe fought with immense pride and desire, he had a lot to prove as fans still recognized the the banished Muhammad Ali as the World Champion, never having lost his title in the ring. George Foreman was an underrated challenger who was undefeated but unproven in the public's eye, he was the pride of the Olympic games in 1968. This version of Joe Frazier was a finely oiled machine, trained by Eddie Futch and Yank Durham, George by D. Sadler and Archie Moore. As in 1973 George comes forward, looking to end the evening early, but Joe bobbing and weaving is avoiding those power shots thrown by George. Left hooks thrown by Joe find their mark, Foreman shoves Frazier away but Joe is back in his face. One thing Frazier has, but George does not possess is stamina. Both fighters show the wear of battle on their faces. As in Joe's fight with Oscar Bonavena in 1966, he shows a vulnerability to a hard right hand, Foreman does have a harder one than Oscar does. In round 8, Joe runs into that right hand thrown by Foreman, he tumbles backwards, he beats the count only to be pummeled into a corner, Joe falls again, Yank tosses a white terry cloth towel into the ring, George is declared the victor in round 8, after a valiant effort by Joe Frazier. Joe's both eyes appear swollen, and George's right eye is partially closed.