true and this unfortunately works both ways. possibly great fighters are dismissed because of incomplete or inaccurate records and possibly mediocre fighters are built up because of the era in which they fought and their air of mystery adds a mythical quality that can be mistaken for greatness.
A re-enactment of Joe's fight with Dave Zieglywiycz, or however he spelt his name. What was Fitz, about 5'8" and 170 lbs?
Fitz was about the same height as Joe- possibly a shade taller. Joe would've had about 30 pounds on him, though.
I just can't picture Fitszimmons beating a threshing machine in prime Joe Frazier. Joe at 205lbs had nearly 40 solid pounds on Fitz but he moved even quicker on the attack and was somewhat difficult to hit with his bob and weave style. If Joe could beat a six foot three 215lb near prime and very fleet footed Ali I shudder to think what he would do to Fitz. Bob fought in a different era when boxing was still developing. Plus there simply weren't as many good big men around as there were during Fraziers' time. Big men who were fast as well as skilled. What would the reporters of Bobs' time say if we time machined Ali, Foreman, Quarry, Bugner, Norton, Liston etc. back to Fitz' era. Bob was quite a fighter, no question. But I think we have to really put things in perspective here. Foreman kept decking a somewhat past it Frazier and Joe kept getting back up...George was a 6'3" and 220 lb wrecking ball. Does anybody really see a 167lb man keeping Joe down for the count?
I never said that I thought Fitz would win. I just said it was ridiculous to expect Joe to win in two rounds.
Because Foster isn't a patch on Fitzsimmons overall. And as a heavyweight there is absolutely no comparison who did better against bigger and well ranked opposition.