I think Foreman does very well againt pressure fighters (in a hypothetical H2H matchup) Tua for instance, despite his chin, would get beat down by George IMO. Buit whilst I see that, I don't necessarily stand by the view that 'Frazier can't beat big punchers' Now, Lewis was troubled by right hand at times, which as we know, Frazier was not a great exponent of. Lewis was a fighter that, when in shape, could keep his cool and hold his nerve, but Frazier's pressure was never haphazard or uncontrolled. He mixed up his attack brilliantly, and with his body pressure could force even the strong giant (in comparison to Joe rather than him being 6'10 ) to become a little weary and find it harder to keep Frazier away and nullifying his attack. Do I think Lewis had a 'glass chin'? No. Do I think he was infallible? No, I don't and I believe Frazier has a very good chance at sparking Lennox. But, I believe Lewis, as proven, has the tools to nullify Frazier and break him down. I don't see Frazier going down many times, I just see him being broken down and beaten up. I don't see Lewis going out there with the intention of destroying Frazier either, he'd put good shots together though and clearly rattle Frazier, and this will see him win the rounds in a fight that is compelling due to the tenacity of one man and the composure of the other. Lewis on points over 12. If not he's stopping Frazier on his feet in the 13th. Lewis will really have to show his mettle here. I think he'll find it hard to keep Frazier at bay, at least not shut him down completely. Lewis will taste leather in this for sure.
This is a fairly sound analysis. The unknown variable for me is how Lewis would deal with Fraziers head movment and speed when capitalising on an opening. I think these are the key elements that Lewis will not have experienced before and therfore the wildcards.
This is exactly why I think Lewis will find it harder to nullify Fraziers left hook. Also as Joe had no problem chucking it in the midst of an attack, or a barrage, so I don't see Lewis trying to pose his will on too many occasions. This will be safety first strategic Lewis, patient, i.e not the one that destroyed Ruddock, the big bear (or should that be Lion) of a man that was honed under Steward. I DO think both men have the capability of stopping each other, and each way something brutal. I just feel Lewis is the more proven against fighters like Joe, albeit none as good as him (or at least not when Lewis fought them)
I personally think Lewis would handle Frazier relatively easy. One scenario is he'll fight something along the lines of how he fought Tua, however, this is unlikely because Frazier would probably sooner go out on his shield then give a passive performance. So Lewis I think would use his overhand right and uppercuts on Joe who would be there to be hit. There's a huge, reach, power, and strength advantage in favour of Lewis, and whether you like Lewis or not, you have to give him props for using his size to it's maximum.
That's an interesting and potentially significant distinction to be made here. The Frazier of FOTC was a different beast in my opinion than the one in 73 and the period after that. He was that bit sharper in everything he did and with his style that little 'bit' made a big difference. I remember Ali saying that 'Joe came in fat' for the Foreman fight in 73 and so obviously he noticed a sharp physical decline as well. For me, the Frazier of 71 is any fight with anyone
Marciano has a better chance at the upset. Lewis isn't that mobile... Rocky has more punch-out, more power, better chin, and that right hand.
I'll just say for Pete's sake, that Lennox KO's the version of Frazier that got destroyed by Foreman, probably in 4 or 5 rounds but not as quick as George did. Lennox vs FOTC Joe Frazier. I'll give Joe a little more credit than most in this thread. Lewis' jab is longer than Ali's, not as quick, but thrown better technically. Lewis is slower on his feet than Ali, and anyone who says prime Frazier wouldn't catch him in the fight and land some body shots is underrating the man. Prime for prime, if Lennox doesn't stop Frazier early, he's getting stopped himself. Again, too much emphasis on the Foreman fight is making these conclusions about Frazier believable but not realistic.
I agree with this. I would also point out that Lewis is unlikely to approach the fight the same way as Foreman. Foreman was reckless, Lewis perhaps overly cautious.
I've actually had a different pick a few months back. Didn't think Lewis could take Frazier's pressure. Maybe he can, but Lewis does have a wicked uppercut, jab, and right hand. All things Frazier has to avoid. Maybe Lewis isn't mobile enough either. But it would be a clash with Frazier's pressure. I think a rangy boxer fighter is an even matchup, stylistically, but a boxer-puncher. It's like Joe facing a 250 pound version of Bob Foster. Joe could stark him. Lewis has been caught. But Lewis would be weary of Joe. He would respect him. I think he gets the decision.
I think a prime Frazier would have a good chance of getting to Lewis.It all depends if he could get under the jab and land the hooks.
No he doesn't. Lennox Lewis was only stopped twice, and one of them was a premature stoppage. Lewis has shown good resilience versus many hard punchers like Tua, Morrison, Tyson, Ruddock, Klitschko, Briggs etc. What other heavyweights have only 2 KOs? Not many. Lewis may not have a granite chin like Ali, Cobb or Chuvalo but his chin is decent. It is certainly not a glass jaw, he has far less knockout losses than most heavyweights.
Massacre.............. Lewis pummels Frazier early and effectively for a 5th round KO victory.......... A bad stylistic match-up for Joe Frazier...... :shock: MR.BILL
I love Frazier but I don't see him doing well against Lennox. It's not one sided, Joe gets his licks in, but he gets stopped.
I'd like for frazier too win but I can't help but feel that lennox is too big for him. Smokin joe was not a one punch knockout artist and he would have to be able to get inside in order to land consistently. I couldn't see him handling lewis in the trenches because the "Lion" would be too strong. Lewis by decision or late round tko.