Mike Tyson vs Joe Frazier

Prime Frazier would be KOd by even the 90s version of Iron Mike. Joe is simply outmatched in all departments: chin, punch, accuracy, footwork. What advantage does Joe have over Tyson? None. No reach, no specific punch, no weight/range control. Nothing.

In fact I don't think Frazier would last through round 2.

 

I agree with this, as much as I rate Frazier this just seems to me like a match-up from hell for him, with only Foreman being worse.

 

tyson at his peak wins early too big too fast too skilful it will be foreman all over again probably quicker yet joe always would have given ali a seriously hard fight same with larry holmes he was better against boxers than punchers.

 

If super cruiserweight Evander Holyfield can bully Tyson around and beat him twice, albeit the second time illegally with the HolyHeadButt, why wouldn't Frazier, who was an actual heavyweight with a heavyweight punch be able to do the same? Too many people here righting off Joe as if he would fight with his face and crumble under Tyson's power in the early rounds. What evidence suggests Tyson would be able to survive the pressure and pace of a prime Joe Frazier? Sure, Milke could have Joe down on the canvas once or twice early in the fight because Joe is vulnerable than most heavyweights in the early rounds. I'd also bet on prime Frazier putting Tyson's butt on the canvas early in the fight too, just like the Holyfield counter shot to the chest that dropped Mike in their first fight. What's forgotten is the fact that there's a big difference between the conditioning of the late 60s - FOTC Frazier vs the 1973 version that George destroyed. Tyson doesn't have the size advantage that Foreman brought when they fought, and any smart boxing fan will know that George didn't fight the same fighter that Ali and others did previously.

Tyson probably stops the 1973 Frazier that George beat, maybe inside 5 rounds. Prime for prime, I'd take Frazier to outlast Tyson's early power and grind him down with body shots, ultimately stopping Tyson before the bell for round 10. Frazier had strong legs and shoulders in his prime and he wasn't going to get pushed around as easily. Foreman probably would have still been able to push this version of Frazier around like he did in1973, but I'd bet on Frazier fighting Foreman like he did Chuvalo, with more circling, countering and pressure in spurts when he was pressured himself.

 

Frazier got up six times against Foreman and was still coming in, and Foreman outmatched him immensely in strength and size. Foreman's about 6'4 and can keep Frazier off him with his shoving.

Even if Tyson has the firepower and aggression to begin to overwhelm Frazier early, how's he going to react when Frazier just piles back in and lands his own vicious shots ?

For a start Tyson just never proved himself against this caliber of opponent, and got KO'd by less intense fighters.

Frazier was just better in a brawl. Sure, he could be shook up early, but Tyson was no Foreman, nothing close. Tyson was a short-armed guy who looked great taking apart guys like Mikey Spink and Tony Tubbs, but in a knock-down drag-out brawl with Joe Frazier I think he'd fade and fold after a few rounds.

No evidence whatsoever to suggest that Tyson can do a quick job on Frazier like Foreman did. Foreman was a different style, different animal altogether.

 

Tyson punched harder than Foreman and was a far better finisher. Frazier wouldnt be getting up six times if Tyson hurt him.

 

That makes no sense.

 

Why not, please explain..

 

Frazier met one real puncher ,he used Joe as a yo yo.Bonavena was a decent clubbing puncher ,but nothing special, he dropped Joe twice.
Tyson hits harder , is a two fisted puncher,has faster hands, absorbed the punches of heavy duty punchers like Bruno,Ruddock ,and Smith, without going down,he would be the favourite here ,and prove why on the night.

 

:deal Not to mention Tyson was one of the best finishers in heavyweight history once he had his opponent hurt.

 

I don't believe that Tyson hit harder than Foreman. Crisper and faster but not with the impact of a Foreman shot. Not to belittle Tyson whom I feel was one helluva fighter, much of those early round KO's came against dubious competion in the beginning of his career or against fighters overmatched like Mike Spinks or an unprepared and older Larry Holmes.

Tyson would indeed start fast as he only had one style and if he couldn't force his will and his stlye on you, he was in trouble and pretty much the same for Frazier. Joe might catch a shot early and hit the deck but I don't see Tyson being able to stop him for good. The longer the fight goes the better it is for Frazier. Not only is it styles but the fighters mental attitude that matters and Joe has no quit no matter if a guy keeps firing or not. (I don't see Tyson getting up five or six times against Big George that kept putting Frazier on the mat). I think it is a close pitched battle in a ring that wouldn't need to be more than 18 feet! Fortitude wise Joe would come out on top. He was used to being in a shitstorm of punches and wouldn't back away from the trenches. Fraziers willpower was stronger than Mikes.

 

Those two words equate to harder in my opinion (maybe not the force of one blow), and why next to noone made it once they were hurt by Tyson.
Will means little when your unconscious. What makes people think Frazier gets up if he gets hurt and flattened with a Tyson combination?

 

I disagree.

 

Larry Holmes, after his loss to Tyson said that Earnie Shaver hit harder but that Tyson's punches were faster and sharper. I know what he means. I've been caught with both kinds of punches. The fast ones stun you and some people get stiffed. Other heavier shots put you temporarily in another world. No sound, everything is in black and white and you are on autopilot. Now granted if Tyson caught you with several in a row it is more likely he could stop somone. Joe was only stopped by Foreman and as I mentioned I don't see Tyson being able to withstand that onslaught the way Frazier did. Joe was mentally tougher and I think in this instance his willpower would overcome Tyson. He would outlast Mike in my opinion.

 

What makes you think he doesn't ?
Frazier always got up.

Tyson rarely put good opponents down and out with one punch or one combination. Even most of the tomato cans got up (and Tyson fought his fair share of them).
And Frazier was no upright statue just standing there to get drilled by Tyson's best shots. Frazier's bobbing underneath and hitting Tyson with hooks while all this is going on.