Good morning Fergy. Good question. I would say Shavers. Joe would be at risk early on from both men but after five rounds or so,Frazier's pressure would grind them both down. I pick Earnie as he was the harder puncher out of him and Ron,thus leaving Joe more susceptible to a knockdown.
Morning Pal. Yep both I think are potentially dangerous for Joe. Joe's the better quality fighter, his chin is underrated by many but these are men dropped Holmes and Foreman so risky.
Shavers. Earnie being a faster starter at the beginning and hitting harder, could cause problems for Frazier, but of course, he wouldn't win.
Neither is a good enough finisher for their power to matter. I think Frazier would stop both. Especially Earnie once he started gassing out -- being someone with limited stamina, in against Joe Frazier? That's like suicide. The entire second half of that fight would be a pure one sided beat down until the ref stopped it. Who would be tougher for Frazier? Hard to say. Nether is a big risk to Frazier, outside of a really lucky punch.
Lyle because hes a better fighter. Norton, Jimmy Young, Lyle and Shavers would all be very difficult fights for Frazier he never fought. And the fact he never had them is my biggest knock against him. Of that group Shavers is the worst one regardless of his power.
I agree. I do think Lyle was overall a better and more durable fighter than Earnie (I love them both). And I think he'd give him a better and longer fight. Niether makes the distance against FOTC Joe imo.
