A prime Joe Frazier would have a real shot against Vitali Klitschko

205 lb vs 250 lb. A difference of almost 10 inches in height. On paper Vitali Klitschko has massive physical advantages here and I'd favor the bigger man in almost any case under such circumstances, especially when said man has excellent skill, natural ability, great chin etc. but I think this is just a terrible style for Vitali.

There are certain factors that need to be pointed out so hear me out:

1. Vitali is not a big puncher. Despite his big KO ratio he's mostly an attrition fighter who stops his man late. Looking at his fights with Byrd, Lewis, Sanders, Briggs etc. I've come to the conclusion that his power would not bother Frazier as much as Wlads or Lewis' would. As everyone knows, Frazier has incredible stamina and is as tough as nails so I think he could live with Vitalis power just fine.

2. Vitali is mostly a straight puncher. Foreman beat Frazier to death with an uppercut but Fraziers bob and weave defense was excellent against 1-2 fighters like Ali and Vitali. Frazier would come in low and cut the distance without taking a lot of punishments.

3. Fraziers body punching would sap Vitalis stamina like crazy. Frazier is the best body puncher in the history of the heavyweight division and Vitalis defense was strictly against head punches. Frazier would find Vitalis body a massive target to work with.

Overall, I see Fraziers workrate, pressure and body-punching overwhelm Vitali late to win a decision or late attrition TKO in a war of course, although either result is plausible. Opinions?

 

I pointed out the size advantage. Do you have any comment on the stylistical reasons why Frazier would have success against Vitali?

Chris Byrd was a super-middle by the way.

 

He weighed in at 169 for his first pro fight and then bulked up to 200 lb the next year.

Then he cut down from 215 to 175 at the age of 38. The guy was a blown-up SMW/LHW.

 

What was his natural weight? Fraziers was 205. Byrd had to eat and weight-lift his way up to that number.

 

I don't remember Vitali ever being a "devastating" puncher...maybe really early in his career, before the injuries but against whom?