Frazier-Wepner '75

Based on what? There is no record of Wepner having that kind of punching power.

 

I was tempted to call this fight a three round stoppage victory for Frazier. But ultimately I decided that it would take Joe longer than that to finish Wepner off.

My judgment is based on Wepner's having surivived almost ten full rounds against Sonny Liston in 1970 despite taking a beating and suffering severe cuts. Wepner must be granted credit for extraordinary staying power.

Then again, Joe Bugner and George Foreman stopped Wepner quickly and easily -- on cuts -- in their 1970 bouts. But by 1975, Wepner, for whatever reason (maybe an operation on his eyebrow ridges?) was bleeding much less severely than in earlier years. Thus, I would have given five to eight rounds survival against Frazier.

 

Chuck would prove tough, but after eight rounds, Joe stops him.

 

Smoke was wide open to Chuck's rabbit punch. This would be Joe's undoing. (Even Ali got hit by Chuck's rabbit punch.)