David Tua v Joe Frazier.

I strongly doubt he doesn't get hit by Tua. While Frazier was indeed the better fighter, and far more accomplished, someone like Tua could be a very bad matchup for him and guys like Marciano and Dempsey.

 

This would be the most competitive 120-108 (with the understanding that this may be adjusted for knockdowns) of all time.

Over fifteen, Joe might have a chance to close the show. Unknowable.

 

He will get hit. But his constant head movement will make it hard for Tua to land his best punches on him.

 

Frazier stops him on bodyshots. The man made one of the ballsiest fighters of all time in Jerry Quarry take a knee from body shots.

Tua was hurt noticably by Chris Byrd's bodyshots.

 

The people who conclude that Tua would beat Frazier by KO must be using the post FOTC, Jamaica 1973 example that got destroyed by Foreman. Tua could beat this version of Frazier perhaps in the same fashion that Foreman did.

Prime for prime, I'd give Tua a legit shot at lasting a 12 round distance with Frazier, but it's not unreasonable that prime Joe stops Tua inside 10 rounds. Frazier's pressure, pace and body attack would be too much for Tua.

 

Not when Tua was at his best. In fact him and Ibeabuchi set a record for the most punches thrown in a heavyweight fight. Big difference between Tua pre America Presents, and the slob that showed up to fight Lennox Lewis. Stylistically both guys would be hit by each others best, and Tua at that time had a lot more speed behind his crippling power. I say Tua Ko's Frazier rather easily.

 

Two sluggers. Both there to be hit One has a cast iron chin and the other does not.

Call me crazy, but I'm going with Tua.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL5dqopVA0k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcmMPBT8NAY

 

That wasnt the well conditioned "fighter" David Tua. That was the inactive Tua that spent his entire training camp trying to improve his physique. Thats why I say it really depends which Tua were talking about.

 

Crazy. Tua is pssibly one of the most overrated fighters of this generation. Frazier was the better inside fighter, had better head movement, had faster and better head movement, faster hands, more footspeed and a better left hook. Not to mention that Frazier was the much better body puncher and would wear Tua down and ake the fight over. He doesn't have as much power but the gulf in skill is great; in favor of Frazier. To say Tua KO's Frazier rather easily is just plain crazy and ignorant.

 

Think Tua would be Fraziers worst Nightmare, I just do.

 

Overated? Maybe unfilled potential is more like it. He was probably one of the better fighters of the mid 90's not to hold a title. As said in a previous post he was a much quicker better fighter under the Main Events banner.
The fight would be at close quarters. Skill will only get you so far until you get hit. I believe Frazier is the better skilled fighter as well, but styles make fights, and this is a bad fight for Frazier stylistically given his size chin and fighting style.

 

Notice Frazier, circling, jabbing, backing up and using his feet when Chuvalo puts the pressure on him. Also, he used his underappreciated right hand, throwing more right hooks and right uppercuts in against Chuvalo.

Joe did none of this against Foreman, especially in the poor shape he was and stood right in front of George trading power shots, primarily with the left hook alone.

He fought a much smarter fight against Chuvalo, using his feet to set up the jab and left hook. Frazier barely threw any jabs against George in the first fight in Jamaica, and you can add that Foreman had some help from Mercante's officiating job.

 

Frazier would win by unanimous 12 round decision, with no knockdowns...in my opinion.

 

Are you kidding? Just because Tua had potential doesn't mean he was actually that good. How is this a bad stylistic match-up against Frazier? I see Tua having no advantage stylistically over Frazier. He comes forward like Frazier except without the speed or head movement. Frazier holds every advantage over Tua except for power and chin. Size means nothing; and by your logic, Frazier is bigger so he'll win. Frazier gets his punches in first and lands often with his left hook. He will also be able to hit Tua's body frequently which will wear Tua down. When the fight wears on, Frazier's bodypunching will make Tua tired and his workrate will slow down; this is where Frazier will take over the fight and will win a comfortable decision.

Tua is there to be hit; much more so than Frazier as he offers no head movement. Plus his footspeed is very and slow and he doesn't apply fast pressure like Frazier. Frazier might be able to drive Tua back and really punish him.