Joe Frazier Circa 1971 V George Foreman Circa 1991

Hmmm that's a good question and depends how you look at it.

He definitely achieved more in his first run, demolishing an undefeated and quite game Frazier to win the championship following it up with an impressive destruction of Norton (who again I might add did not yet show a lack of confidence against punchers at this point and had this fight not happened, he very likely would've performed much better against Shavers and Cooney, though he was shot for the latter), and like Liston (perhaps moreso because unlike the former, Foreman's interest didn't seem to wane after winning the title) he very likely would've accomplished more in his run had he not run into the GOAT (which not only ended his title run, but shattered his confidence, and led him to change his style into one that did not suit him which caused him to struggle with guys like Lyle and Young a lot more than he should have).

While he did achieve more in his first run, his biggest accomplishment arguably came in his second run. Regaining the title he'd lost 20 years earlier at the age of 45! Even though he was a shell of himself as a fighter by that point he remained competitive with the top heavyweights including another prime ATG in Holyfield.

So to answer your question, I think I'd lean more towards his first run being better, but both careers when examined separately let alone together, are ATG worthy.

Sorry for that essay lol, I think I've been arguing with you know who so much it's turning me into him!

 

Well gee Swag, it was a simple question - I wasn’t asking for War and Peace in reply.

My gnat like attention span can’t accomodate too many details. Zzzzzz! Haha!

Not to be a yes man but I agree with pretty much everything you stated.

If anything, I personally might find it easier to select Foreman’s first run over his second. That’s just an opinion though. the criteria is certainly there for each amazing career, separately.

So many hooks and records to an incredibly unique “whole” career.

Finally, I’ll just say I remember so well when it was announced George was coming back for a one off for charity vs Zouski.

I was super excited for that fight just in itself, just to see George in the ring again, - would never have guessed what it ultimately evolved into.

Gotta stop now or I’ll look silly if my post exceeds the ridiculous magnitude of your own - IF my own post hasn’t ALREADY passed the forbidden threshold.

I hope you were able to hang to the finish. Notice after I typed “stop” I still followed with a whole paragraph. - somebody stop me!!!

 

Smoking Joe Frazier does not fear a bald grill selling version of George Foreman at all. Joe attacks that flabby midriff with powerful left hooks, setting up George for a painful finish later in the fight. George begins to gasp as the left hooks keep striking his torso. Foreman tries to connect with his feeble wild hooks but they are nowhere near the 1973 bombs which sent Joe skating. This 1971 version of Frazier is a man with a mission, to cement his place in history and remain champion. Joe wins by stoppage in round 12.

 

Frazier in 71 was possibly the greatest of all time.

Very underrated!!!

If Morrison beat an old GF imagine what a prime JF would do.

 

If you go back and watch their fights from the 70s it's remarkable how many clean shots Frazier takes from Foreman. Many that he took and kept fighting. Yes George had awesome power but it was his relentless attack that got the stoppage foe him.
Frazier is next to impossible to knock out. He had an iron chin and determination. Old Man Foreman can't bring enough heat to stop Joe. Best case scenario for Foreman is he lands a perfect shot and gets a knockdown. Frazier gets up and Foreman won't be able to finish him off.
Frazier by UD

 

'71 Frazier outworks '91 Foreman to a decision.

 

Couldn’t be bothered DMing you because I can just reply to this quote instead. Your book is very good Adam. I consider your books an exhaustive encyclopaedia read. Well done. I’ll get around to volume 2 soon of JJ. Which book do you consider the most enjoyable? I’ve been looking at John L.

 

Frazier would look about like Cooney when he faced George

 

Frazier was harder to hit than Stewart, he would have out-landed old George 3-1, only punch that would have bothered him was Foreman`s jab, he would have landed far more shots than Morrison did, he was far better than anybody Foreman beat in the 90`s except maybe Moorer, but Foreman could not knock Frazier out with one shot, Frazier`s head movement and dipping below George`s waist would have been a problem for old George.

 

Frazier far harder to hit than Cooney and quicker, Cooney was a sitting duck v Foreman.

 

Doesn’t matter George is gonna hit Joe with that Upper Cut- Joe is the sitting Duck

 

I just don't see old George landing that when Joe is smokin' like in FOTC.

 

I do the bottom line is George had Joe’s number. And Larry whoops either one of the bums from the FOTC.

 

Larry had trouble with far inferior fighters to Frazier, but yes would have beaten ali.