Frazier won FOTC now defends title against Usyk for HW ATG No.1 ('71)

This is assuming the impossible, that a massively overrated light puncher makes it past Ali after suffering his first loss to get a shot at Frazier

For starters Usyk has never been in the ring with anyone with half the skill, will, and ring IQ of Ali let alone what his first loss ignited in him

So there's FOTC Frazier, his run up to FOTC is arguably the most dominant and savage heavy run next to Tyson's run to champion

I'm not entirely convinced Usyk would have survived Frazier's childhood, or won Olympic gold with a broken thumb

Frazier is legitimately tough, he has overcome adversity that most would succumb to, he is a real fighter, way too much dog for Usyk

Usyk is a modern athlete, his jab is lackluster compared to Ali's, Frazier has it timed by round 5, Usyk's right isn't close to as nasty as Ali's lead, anything he catches Frazier with Frazier smiles at as he warms up, Frazier usually gets punched harder in sparring

Frazier spends the first few rounds mastering his ring cutting, presenting enough pressure and offense to keep Usyk mostly backing up

By 5 Usyk is slowing and gassing, Frazier starts to turn it up and puts Usyk to a knee with a body shot

6-8 Frazier mauls and dominates the inside, knocking down Usyk with a monster left hook at some point

9-11 Frazier takes it, he lands a body head hook combo and it's done, Usyk is on a knee holding his liver when the count is up

 

Love 'em both. That's all I gotta say. Although the thread would make a lot more sense after next week.

 

I like Usyk. Quite a bit. My favorite guy on the scene right now.

But this is the wrong opponent.

Usyk will look his best agaist the Joshua types---mechanical and a big target. Constant defensive openings to exploit. That his hardly 71 Frazier.

And Joe's workrate and conditioning means Usyk does not hold the advantage in those departments like he always does in his matches. Man, does he use that to his advantage.

But that checkmark is on the other side here. The other big factor here is the body punishment Joe delivers. Those were brutal left hooks to the body. And every right hand Joe threw was a body shot. He hardly ever misses either. incredible accuracy with that punch.

ko7-ko9. Tough sustained beating Usyk takes in this. The kind of licking that is tough to overcome. Could be a lot of damage due to hanging tough against Smokin Joe w/ that championship heart and pedigree. One of those bouts when it would have been better to go out in round 3 or 4.

 

In my opinion, Frazier and Ali are probably the only guys that would beat a prime Usyk.

 

Almost prime Frazier is a bad oppenent for most. This apply here too.
Joe takes him in 11.

 

I'm guessing being born in the former Soviet Union round about the time it was splitting up and the World Bank's little helpers were pouring eastward across the border resulting in an unprecedented plummet in life spans, employment and income makes 50s Philadelphia look like Camberwick Green.

 

Elite pressure fighters would be Usyk's kryptonite aka Tyson, Frazier, he wouldn't have the fire power to keep the relentless Frazier off him.

I recently watched Frazier vs Bugner and Bugner at 6'4 220+ fought the best fight of his career couldn't keep Frazier off him.

 

Two fighters with an extremely high work rate and great stamina. Frazier is more physical, Usyk slightly more skilled.

I think Frazier edges it based on his extremely phsyical approach and wonderful left hook which will catch Usyk.

 

And that was a Frazier who was on the other side of the hill, by then.

 

That Frazier would beat the dog **** out of Usyk.

 

People way overrate Frazier head to head ability here, he never beat someone like Usyk who could box as well as punch he was a small heavyweights and the only time he fought a fighter that's as large as modern heavyweights he lost badly (Foreman). Overall Usyk beats him without too much difficulty. Frazier was hittable when he went on the offensive and relied on his chin to carry him through but that wouldn't work against Usyk and once he feels Usyk power he either gets tentative and Usyk wears him down before stopping him or he keeps going in which case Usyk shuts him down and knocks him out.

 

Usyk wins a very close decision IMO. I certainly don't think Joe is going to consistently hit Usyk with big shots like others are saying here. When Usyk does get hit with something big it won't phase him as he was hit by bigger shots from Joshua. Additionally, Usyk has much much more boxing experience so I think his team would come up with a better game plan to win than Frazier's team ala keeping him at range.

 

I love the respect for Frazier but am puzzled about the disrespect for Usyk ... if you understand the Ukraine you'd possibly rethink Usky as some pampered fighter with a gilded pathway ...