Mike Tyson vs Joe Frazier

If Mike Tyson had Joe Frazier's CONSTANT bob and weave, he would have whipped James Douglas (who had a fantastic jab that night) rather than get repeatedly tagged with the jab to the point that his eye closed. Mike Tyson's sporadic defense (when did he ever CONSISTENTLY bob and weave for more than 5 rounds - even in his prime) would be useless against Muhammad Ali. Had Tyson fought Muhammad Ali 3 times - he'd been KO'd three times because his defense was not up to par with Frazier's. Pointing KDs is unfair here because 8 of those KDs come from George Foreman and I'm not sure if Tyson would have fared better against Foreman (just my hunch).

I strongly believe that Frazier's constant defense was much better against traditional boxers than Tyson's. I'll tell you where Tyson's was better - against someone who throws just a FEW punches at a time like Razor Ruddock. When someone throws 60 punches at a time at the speed that Douglas or Ali could do (sorry to include both in same sentence) reflexes alone (Tyson's method) were not enough.

 

He got hit more than most of other great heavyweights. His weaving style looked impressive and worked well no doubt but he could be hit more than other great fighers. He had the mindset of I'll take 3 to land one punch.

 

:nono frazier may beat tyson but you wrong that it would be easy.

 

I forgot about Liston, not really sure about that one. I think Liston is a bit overrated. I think Tyson looks better on film, more skilled, much much faster and his opposition is better and larger.

Note that i was talking about a fighter coming at Tyson here.
What Holyfield mostly did was wait till Tyson gets his punches off, make him miss or block the shots, tie him up (about 15 times a round) and push him backwards.... throw in the occasional headbutt and you have the perfect style to beat Tyson.

Holyfield fought him extremely smart. But like another poster said, if Holyfield kept coming forward when he was hurt like in the 5th, he'd have a good chance of losing. He held on a LOT the first 4/5 rounds after which Tyson slows down (especially post prison) and got his better work after that.

Not saying that Frazier comes forward without defense, but he is pretty hitable early on and taking 3 to land 1 is not a good idea against Tyson at all. Frazier has too much heart and pride to take a step back or clinch and it will cost him.


As for Ali.... i'm confident that he can beat Tyson, but if he's gonna mix it up then he may well lose.

 

Stylistic nightmare for Frazier, Tyson Stoppage in 3-4..

Frazier starts WAY to slow for Tyson...bottom line.

 

Ironically I think an element of prime Tyson that is largely forgotten is the way he fought off the back of a very effective jab. This made him very hard to counter and allowed him into that mid-range where he was most effective relatively safely for a short fighter. Frazier was effective at close range and Im not convinced he would get in there without paying dearly.

Too say Joe took a large number of shots to be put away by Foreman is irrelevant Tyson was systematically beaten down by Douglas, Lewis and Holy before even going down at all, Frazier was down early on more than one occasion and badly shaken by Ali early.

As tough and great as Joe was for me the more feasible result is Tyson TKO 3-5

 

Tyson's jab would bother Joe, and his uppercut would land regularly. If Tyson can hit you over and over with his uppercuts, you are done.

Tyson wouldn't beat him as quick as he did Marvis, but it wouldn't take a lot longer. Tyson inside of 3.

I rank Frazier several spots higher all time, but he can't take Mike head to head.

 

Tyson early/Frazier late but I think it would probably be Tyson early. If Bonavena could drop Joe and hurt him then Tyson, who was a hell of alot fater, would do it too. Tall rangy fighters gave Mike trouble like Douglas, Tillis and Tucker and Joe was not tall and rangy. Mike would have no trouble reaching him. If Joe could weather the storm and bring Mike into the later rounds then his chances improve greatly as Mike was prone to getting discouraged whereas Joe was'nt. Mentally speaking, Joe was the more complete fighter. I don't know if Joe could weather the early storm though. That's the big question. Either way one things for certain, this fight does NOT go the distance and it would be one helluva brawl.

 

Tyson by discombobulating devastation.

 

Tyson would start fast but Frazier would be smart enough to know this is Tyson's greatest strength. and keep away for a couple of rounds. If Frazier can survive the early rounds he can start to apply pressure & Tyson slows way down after about round five or six. Then the two are pretty much on an even playing field the rest of the way. It would come down to conditioning & managers. Frazier had Eddie Futch & he always had a great gameplan & conditioning. If Tyson had Cus D'Amato & Jimmy Jacobs he would make the ajustments needed & pull it out. He was the better boxer in his prime. But if he was King's puppet like against Douglas, then he would be deadmeat against Frazier. ( He was still in his prime going into the Douglas Bout).

 

For Tyson to win, he will have to go to work early. If he sets up the jab well, and follows up with crisp hard fast combos, topped off by constant head movement and unsettled footspeed, Frazier could be stopped early. For Frazier to win, he will have to get inside Tyson's jab and other punches, and bury his head in Tyson's chest and unload wicked body shots from start to finish. Once this thing goes past ten rounds, I expect Frazier to win by a knockout or stoppage. Physically, Frazier may be stronger than Tyson. I think Tyson's power and speed would get to him early, and it would set up a mid round stoppage. Frazier would go down at least twice.

Mke Tyson TKO 7 Joe Frazier:good

 

Tyson KO 1-2.
Frazier can move only forward, so it will be massacre