Yank Durham interestingly told Frazier that he was not ready to face Foreman in Kingston but being the strong willed person he was Joe went on ahead and took it away. Sources including Norton said Joe pretty much lost a lot of his spark since FOTC. Frazier stated in his autobiography that there was a rematch clause following his loss to Foreman, which never went through. Also if he had won the Ali rematch he'd get his shot at Foreman. Answer seems obvious but since he was less washed up than in 76 what could have Joe done to adjust against Foreman?
I’m just shooting in the dark before this thread gets flooded with “bring a gun” etc. My opinion on the matter is worth the return you get selling a dozen tin cans at a scrap yard so do with it what you will. I believe he had enough of an elusive streak in him to have weaved and bobbed at “long” range (for Frazier) Joe could step under and out a little to safety for the wide ones and rush back in to smother as he turns to set. I don’t think George was a great inside fighter he clubbed you out if you stood in front of him but right up on his chest? I don’t think he had the skills for it to catch Joe. it might be why he pushed guys? I don’t know. I don’t think Frazier could pull it off. But if he was a little negative with his strategy like in the second fight maybe he could draw the right punches? work on the inside. That is if he doesn’t get shoved or side stepped. On his chest he could try tiring George out by making him miss wide and whacking the midsection? It’d bring his chances up a little in my head. I’m not Eddie Futch or Yank and I took about five minutes to write this. There are actual boxing guys here maybe they’ll weigh in.
Different Verse Same As The First as spoken by the British Group Herman's Hermits singing Henry The 8th I am in 1965. Same result for Joe Frazier in an immediate rematch against champion George Foreman. Foreman by TKO 3.
It's not going to be much different imo. Maybe Frazier slightly more hesitent but George still gets him.
I never understood why they made the rematch later with Foreman when Joe had further declined. I mean what's Joe going to do? box, move side to side , get on his toes? I recall everyone saying can Joe make it to the 3rd round this time? I guess it was a cash out opportunity but I'd have never let Joe near Foreman again . It made as much sense as Patterson rematching Liston.
Yeah by June 15 1976, Joe Frazier was finished as a fighter, it lasted longer but George Foreman mercifully ended Joe's night in round 7 in Madison Square Garden.
Rematch 73/74 would end like Foreman Vs Frazier 1 and 2. Preasure fighter, and even the one from FOTC can make a problem of Muhammad Ali, but not George Foreman. Completely wrong strategy / tactics for Frazier against Foreman. Frazier's tactics could also work against Earnie Shavers. Foreman withstood the bombs from Ron Lyle. Foreman simply did not lose during his "first career" to the Punchers. So I guess Foreman would win 8 to 9 fights (out of 10) against Frazier. The strategy / tactics that suited Frazier against Muhammad Ali were fully suited to Foreman v. Frazier.
