I assume everyone has already heard the story that Sylvester Stallone was trying to cast Joe Frazier in clubber Lang role in Rocky III. So Stallone wanted to spar with Smoke and ended up with sore ribs and six stitches after a minute. Sly said he felt like he was covered in steak sauce going into a Lion’s cage when he got into the ring.
Here is the quote from Sylvester Stallone: “He wanted the part very badly and believe me, I wanted him to get it too. Smokin’ Joe Frazier fighting Rocky! This would be seriously entertaining – actually unbelievable! “So, I naïvely said why don’t we get into the ring and move around a little and see how we look together. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this was like going into a lions cage covered in steak sauce and asking, ‘how do you think I will taste?’ This was a very dumb idea…very bad. “Joe was one of the most punishing fighters that ever lived and other boxers would honestly say that after they fought Smokin’ Joe, they were never, ever the same. Of course I thought that was a slight exaggeration, and I wanted our movie to be special, very realistic no matter what the price. “Again in retrospect, A very foolhardy, hazardous, and homicidal concept. Once in the ring, I figured I just move around and avoid his punches. That idea worked well for about two seconds. Simply, because the next thing I knew there was a thunderous left hook planted extremely deep in my body, (followed by) an overhand right that resembled a falling piano landing just above my left eye. The world was now spinning in several directions at the same time. “Anyway, I felt bad for Joe and did not want him to hurt his hands anymore and decided to call it a day. In retrospect, It was a wonderful afternoon meeting the legendary Joe Frazier and getting six stitches but it was also a brilliant realization that I needed someone like Mr. T in my life,” he added.
I think Jimmy would survive...and not get decked. He may not win, because of the ultra high volume output of Smokin'Joe, but he would have his moments where he would make Joe look bad. Probably Frazier W15 Young.
Only Earnie Shavers was able to floor Jimmy Young....in Jimmy's 11th pro fight. Young proved his chin was made of steel many times in subsequent fights. "Ya'll "are probably getting Jimmy confused with Chris Byrd or something with him getting decked multiple times and all.
Frazier had enough left in the tank to destroy Quarry and Ellis again, and take Ali to hell and back in Manila. We agree Frazier wins. However Young was clever enough, skilled enough and durable enough to avoid getting KO'd.
Probably. I have a tough time picking that fight lol! One thing I'm sure of: prime Holmes vs. prime Frazier would be great to watch.
