Better resume: Joe Frazier or George Foreman

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MaccaveliMacc, Jul 14, 2025.


Better CV:

  1. George Foreman

  2. Joe Frazier

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  1. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Ah it's pretty simple and shallow and not neccessarily right, but it's my soft stance.

    Cheers mate.
     
    JohnThomas1, Aug 4, 2026
    JohnThomas1, Aug 4, 2026
    #16
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  2. 723

    723 Delusional Old-Head + New Boxing Fan Full Member

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    Foreman had two Hall of Fame careers, one before and one after initial retirement. Frazier has the better top win ofc, but Foreman has the overall better resume.
     
    723, Aug 4, 2026
    723, Aug 4, 2026
    #17
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  3. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Foreman wasn't considered a HOFer after his first retirement. Beating Frazier and Norton and losing to Ali and Young wasn't exactly spectacular. He was rated as the 21th best HW of all time in 1987 by The Ring. His stock risen after beating Moorer, but that was the only 1 Top 10 win in his second career. So he had a HOF career, but mostly because of the weight of the Moorer win. He didn't have 2 HOF careers.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    #18
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  4. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    I'm not sure Bonavena was Ring ranked for their 1 st fight. Machen wasn't,I don't think, nor Jones.I suppose it all boils down to which ratings you refer to?
     
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    #19
  5. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

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    For me, title fights count a lot and while George Foreman was a great heavyweight he was not a great champion in either reign. Frazier had nine or 10 defenses before losing to George. When that is added to his FOTC win I find it hard to say that Foreman has a better résumé.
     
    Fogger, Aug 4, 2026
    Fogger, Aug 4, 2026
    #20
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  6. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Wepner, Peralta, Cooney and LeDoux weren't Ring rated on George's side either.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    #21
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  7. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Foreman. No question.

    He comfortably edges past Frazier with his second coming, particularly with the obvious highlight—regaining the title against Moorer at 45.
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2026
    Robbi, Aug 4, 2026
    Robbi, Aug 4, 2026
    #22
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  8. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Foreman fought Wepner in his 4th pro fight.
    Frazier ,in his 4th fought Abe Davis 5-22-1davis hadn't won a fight for 6 years.Peralta was ranked no 10 for the 1st Foreman fight.
     
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    #23
  9. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Frazier wasn't champ until he beat Ellis he made 4 defences won 3 of them 2 were against unranked journeymen.That isn't a great reign imo.
     
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    #24
  10. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He wasn't. But we need to add Boone Kirkman to the list of Top 10 guys beaten by George, which is:

    George Chuvalo (contender number 3)
    Boone Kirkman (contender number 10)
    Joe Frazier (champion)
    José Roman (contender number 9)
    Ken Norton (contender number 4)
    Ron Lyle (contender number 5)
    Joe Frazier (contender number 3)
    Michael Moorer (champion)
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    #25
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  11. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    For Frazier it's:

    Oscar Bonavena (contender number 9)
    George Chuvalo (contender number 4)
    Buster Mathis (contender number 10)
    Manuel Ramos (contender number 4)
    Oscar Bonavena (contender number 3)
    Jerry Quarry (contender number 3)
    Jimmy Ellis (best available opponent)
    Muhammad Ali (championship claimant, best available opponent)
    Joe Bugner (contender number 10)
    Jerry Quarry (contender number 3)

    It's good to acknowledge that Muhammad Ali was The Ring champion throughout most of Frazier's run, so f.e. Oscar Bonavena was the number 3 rated contender, but realistically, he was the second best available opponent for Smokin' Joe.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    #26
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  12. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    It depends on which ratings you follow.
     
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    #27
  13. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Peralta fought Foreman in Feb1970 when Peralta was no 10 Ring ranked.
     
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    mcvey, Aug 4, 2026
    #28
  14. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ring ratings, the most recent before the fight.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    #29
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  15. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He wasn't. These are the most recent ratings before the fight: https://ibb.co/ks8FvtSR
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Aug 4, 2026
    #30
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