Joe. too relentless. Lyle was a big puncher but still 1 notch below Foreman. Also Foreman was somehow really good at evading and blocking left hooks despite otherwise not being a good defensive fighter. I don't think Lyle could block those left hooks so easy. Frazier by decision after surviving early knockdown.
The reason why I choose this debate, is because unlike Liston Or Foreman. Who would break a swarmer's rhythm, by throwing hooks super low that even if you weaved you would get hit by it. Ron Lyle didn't use that. He mainly just used hooks, but he didn't throw low hooks to stop the rhythm. Also, uppercuts were what Liston and Foreman used to break the rhythm a lot more then ron lyle
Frazier would wear him down, but he may get clipped and go down along the way, especially since Lyle is a huge puncher and Frazier would be in punching range.
Lyle probably wins. Frazier really benefits from the advantage of incumbency when being compared to guys he didn't fight like Norton, Lyle and Young. Even Shavers. The common opponents resume doesn't go his way but Frazier is Joe Frazier.
The best Ronnie can do is hang in there. He was not particularly hard to hit and needs far more head movement and mobility against a guy like a Joe Frazier.
To be fair Quarry has amazing track record against limited punchers, while struggling against craftier boxers to an extent. Still in team Joe in this one though.
Frazier when it gets to the later rounds, but it's a very tough bout. Frazier would definitely break the rhythm, smother, and outwork guys like Mac Foster just like he did Manuel Ramos, but Lyle went through absolute trenches with Shavers and Foreman (a very shaky version of George, but given how high I rate Foreman, it's still extremely impressive) and either won, or turned it into one of the most famous ring warpaths ever. Joe is coming right into that smoke. What matters most here in my book is that Joe has the logistics (conditioning) to march for Moscow in winter and capture it, while Ron did not.