Ron Lyle vs Joe Frazier

Frazier wearing Lyle down after recovering from being rocked and/or KD’d early seems a ver reasonable projection.

The thing is Lyle could really punch but he didn’t always unveil his full power. It seems it took a dog fight (like vs Shavers and vs Foreman) to push Ronnie buttons and bring out his true inner beast.

The wild cards for me are how aggressive will Lyle fight back with Frazier right in front of him and exactly how much would Lyle’s unbridled power effect Joe.

Lyle possibly hurts Joe more than just a momentary wobble or KD that Joe might otherwise quickly recover from.

Joe deserves to be favoured but Lyle’s a live dog IMO if he at least elects to punch hard for better or worse.

 

Lyle got to #4 behind Ali, Frazier and Foreman so that's pretty notable. Hard to overtake that trio as they are all top 10 ATG's.

From memory The Cleaver peaked around #5? with a lot less in front of him than Lyle had. Tua peaked at #4 i reckon same as Lyle.

 

Are we talking London Prizefighting Rules, or Marques of Queensbury?

 

Joe Frazier from FOTC would win (I don't know if by decision or by knockout). For the years after 1971, I'm not so sure.

 

Williams was number 2 when he was shot. I’ll try to find some sources.

iirc Lyle was rated higher than Young despite losing to him badly twice.

 

I'm going by Ring ratings.

 

Fair enough. WBA had him at #2 and I think the ring had him at 2 or 3. Will get back to you on that with some sources.

 

No need i'd believe that. I always go by The ring ratings tho.

 

I do remember Klompton saying he was 4 during Patterson's rating even if it wasn't for a long time.

 

Far from unlikely.

 

This would be a dangerous fight for Frazier, i do think Lyle is a bit overrated. But saying that in Lyle's prime the people who beat him out boxed him Quarry, Young, Ali, etc. And the only one man who was able to go toe to toe with him and survive was Foreman.

I'll give the edge to Frazier because he's more proven, but Lyle would be very dangerous and a live underdog with his power. Frazier doesn't fight on the backfoot like Young, Quarry, and that might be his undoing against a bigger man and a hard puncher. This might be a fight where the underdog pulls off the upset.

But like i said i do favour Frazier but not confidently.

 

I see Lyle as having Foreman level power. Given that, Lyle by KO. Sorry Joe.

 

Lyle had Foreman level power? Someone like a faded Quarry would never stand a chance against this monster. Oh wait

 

Jerry Quarry outpointed Ron Lyle on Feb 9 1973, then on December 14th, kayoed Earnie Shavers in round 1.

 

Frazier stops him.