What if Joe Frazier had lost the Fight of the century?

I believe Joe had an HOF resume after the Foster win. He'd cleaned up the division, and clarified the title picture at a time when boxing desperately needed that. Although losing the FOTC would have stunted his place in history some, it wouldn't have damaged him as much as losing the "Battle of Broken Jaw" (BOBJ) would have diminished Ken Norton. (Remember, Kenny only took a split decision in that one.)

Smoke's mental focus would have remained intact. Manila might have had a different outcome with a fully conditioned and motivated Frazier. (Maybe even under 200 pounds in peak form for number three.) Smoke/Quarry II was an excellent win for Joe.

 

I've often wondered if Jerry wasn't battling a tremendous letdown after being denied a title shot he'd richly earned.

As you know, I think Jerry had the chin, strength and style to take the title from George. Then, it would have been a matter of who got to Jerry first, and I believe that the first title shot would have gone to Joe, who was thought to be beatable by Jerry at that stage. (Ali would probably have been willing to step aside for a major payday title challenge at the winner of Frazier/Quarry II, who would have always been Joe. Ali/Quarry III wouldn't have been marketable.)

About Quarry/Foreman, Jerry was able to take shots from Mac Foster, Shavers and Lyle, and George did not have the sort of attack which busted cuts open. Nor did power, size and strength intimidate Quarry. Ali psyched him out. Foreman could not have done so. Jerry would have drawn George into the ropes, then into deep water. Foreman did not have the handspeed or reflexes to trade with Jerry at mid-range. Greg Peralta proved that Jerry would not have been too small to deal with George, and Foreman was fresh meat for sharp counterpunching. George knew this from their experiences sparring together. Quarry would have probably gotten himself into peak condition under 200 pounds for a shot at Foreman, somebody he knew he could beat. Nobody punched out the fast starting Quarry early, and George would have tired first. Beyond that, Jerry showed against Joe Alexander how he could respond if Foreman did catch him early.

Frazier would have always worn Jerry down. Ditto for a primed Ali. George didn't have the handspeed or endurance necessary to do this. Give Jerry an unmarked face and top conditioning, and Foreman would find himself in real trouble before he realized what was happening.

I do think the outcome of a Foreman/Quarry title fight has major ramifications for a Frazier who had lost the FOTC, because it would mean a regaining of the championship for Joe. Frazier/Quarry II should have been for the title.

 

Jerry was suppose to get the Foreman shot.......but "politics" prevailed and the Ali-Foreman fight was scheduled for Sept. 1974. (originally)

The Quarry-Frazier winner was set for June 1974.

Quarry would have had to go thru Frazier and Ali or Foreman to get the title....tough row to hoe.

 

Depends on how he loses it, but i'd say he'd be a very solid champion. I'd rank him among Charles (as a HW): he beat several contenders and was the man for a while, but didn't have a very long reign and went down south rank quickly after that.

 

He would have been 0-5 against the two best men he faced.
Did any Heavy weight Champ, perceived as an ATG have a shorter prime?

 

So would it have been a steady diet of Standers and Daniels then?

 

Without the win over Ali ,would Frazier have made anyone's top 10 ATG Heavies?

 

Not mine.