Evander Holyfield vs Joe Frazier

I picked Holy by a stoppage late. There's no way that I can see this fight being a chess match.. Those two guys would brawl the whole evening, and I just see Evander outlasting him.

 

Prime 71 Frazier, against Prime 91 Evander, sweet matchup, damn gotta like this one..

I think Joe would win a decision in a tough brutal fight, where both guys hit the canvas..
Holyfield was a glutton for punishment, and defense wasn't his strong point, Joes pressure and infamous left hook would take it's toll..

 

I can't even pick a winner in this one because its so damn close. I think it could go either way but certainly anytime these two fought in their primes it would be an all out war. Holyfield's first fight with Qawi was one of the best of all time and I think him against Frazier would resemble that fight may even turn out better. Frazier was even more devastating then Qawi though a prime Holyfield would be more experienced then he was when he took on Qawi. In conclusion I think Holyfield has a slightly better chance of winning the fight if it goes to decision though Frazier still has a chance in winning a decision also but I feel if anyone is going to be stopped it would be Holyfield in the later rounds should he break down from the brutal and relentless punishment Frazier inflicts on his body and head. I'd expect Holyfield to get the better of the early rounds and Frazier the late rounds, the middle rounds would be a big factor in who wins a decision.

 

That's how I see it also (infamous?).

 

Once Holy moved up tp full fledged heavy he made his career standing up tp behemoths. This would be a dogfight; Holy is equally tough maybe a better chin and more strength. Holy was also fit during this time and coud fight non-stop. Holy was bigger stronger than Fraziers opponents at least most and unlike Ali who did not set down on his punches Holy did. Holy would not fade in the middle rounds like Ali did and the damage could catch up to Joe earlier than the Thrilla in Manila. Essentially Joe is fighting a bigger stronger more skilled version of jimself. Boxing skill being the difference Holy takes Frazier either late or decision.

 

This has been done before, but hey it`s a great fight and thread worthy of doing a second time ! I like Joe by a brutal 15 rd UD. Why ? Because I think Holy`s warrior mentality would actually hurt him in this fight. I just can`t see him engaging Frazier in phone-booth warfare and coming out on top. Holy,doesn`t have Foreman like power, so... He won`t be able to stop the slow-starting Frazier. Frazier, who take a couple of rounds to really start `smokin` then comes on ,buries that head hard in Holy`s massive chest and goes to work. I think he`s sufficiently soften Holy enough downstairs to make him vulnerable for the left hook, working over and under. He won`t stop Holy,but he`d put enough punishment on him to take a close 15 rd UD. Holy would def. have his moments, mostly when he`d use his feet and box. But ,inevitably it would turn into a war and I like Frazier in this one... Can we talk about a rematch as well ???

 

Holyfield was bigger, stronger, had a better chin, and was more versatile as opposed to Fraiser's one dimensional left hooking. Holyfield by TKO.

 

I like Frazier by decision with both fighters exchanging knock downs.

I believe Holyfield would hook with Joe and that is a mistake. Frazier would get inside at will and no Evander in his prime wasn't bigger than Joe. They were both around 205-210. Holy had a good hook, Frazier a great one also so precise inside.

Unlike Ali, Evander didn't have the dominating jab and long fast right hand lead. Muhammad used those tools effectively against Frazier in fights 2and 3. If a fighter stays inside with a prime Joe Frazier over 15 rounds just about all of them come out 2nd best.

Even giving Holyfield the benefit of the doubt that he had a bad night against Cooper that fight gives me an idea of how bad Frazier would be for him.

 

I'll go with Holy. He was more durable, and more diverse in skills.

 

How was Holyfield bigger when they both were roughly 210 lbs?:huh

 

Silver Skull, Holyfield was 6'2"" and a half, Fraiser 5'11". Fraiser's reach was about 72, Holyfield's 79. Holyfield was bigger, especially after a transformation that turned him into a hulk-like boxer. Check out some before and after photos.

 

Great points as always ETM... A very poor imitation of Frazier in Bert Cooper almost had Holy out... I truly feel Holy`s warrior mentality would not serve him well against Smokin Joe...

 

Holyfield would take some big, big shots en route to winning a decision. Better punch selection and use, better chin, bigger and stronger.

 

Alot of heavyweights were taller than Joe. Frazier was a natural heavyweight with tree trunks for legs. Smokin Joe was a shade under 6 ft tall and he still packed 205-215lbs on his frame without touch a weight.