Wow- just watched Frazier-Ali I- (71')- this version of Frazier was awesome- like a man possesed... all he did was WAIL on Ali for a full 15 rounds.. Ali had no answer for the left hooks, agression, pace, and body punching of this man.. I scored it 9 rounds to 6 for Smokin' Joe- also have to remember- this was a close to a prime (71') ALI as well.. Joe was awesome this night.. He often gets overlooked in the shuffle of the great heavyweight champions.. In fact, I would probably pick this Frazier to beat just about any heavyweight that ever lived.. Holmes, Bowe, Lewis, Holyfield, Tyson, Marciano, Louis, Moorer, Norton, Patterson, - the only fighter that (maybe) beats this version of JOE in my opinion is a prime version of SONNY LISTON (58'-63') perhaps.. This Joe might've even beaten Foreman- because who would've known had those fights gone longer.. that was a faded version of JOe (73' and 76')- His style was just totally wrong for Foreman who was much bigger than Joe, and probably the Hardest puncher EVER and IN HIS PRIME.. The Frazier that fought from 68-72 was just about untouchable... opinions??
"Prime" is somewhat disputable, as Ali had a huge layoff. Some would argue that we never saw Ali in his prime. With that being said, Frazier made a young Ali look bad, as opposed to what Holmes, Spinks, and Berbick did. That was quite a fight. Whether he would have beaten Foreman...can't really say for sure. But I think the fight would have been more competitive.
For sure, Frazier had a fire lit under his ass that night.Joe was incredibly pissed off at Ali for calling him an Uncle Tom.From Joe's point of view, he did everything he could to help Ali out when Ali was in exile, and this was the thanks he got.Ali himself was quite a force that night, and Joe took awesome punishment that he never really recovered from.But Joe wasn't losing that night no matter what.He would have been a handful for anyone in history that night for sure.
Aruably the greatest win in heavyweight history. My pick. Joe was indeed something a bit special that night, but let me ask - As far as untouchable goes, how do you think Joe would have done with peak George Foreman on that night?
Foreman still knocks him out on that night. At the worst, it's a bloody beating if it manages to go 15, which I doubt it does.
More than likely into two. The strange things is (depending on the referee) getting Foreman at peak could have meant a really serious beating for Joe. I mean career ending.
The Frazier of 3/8/1971 vs. FOREMAN- hmm... interesting.. In my opinion, this Version of Frazier doesn't lose to many heavyweights... I think a shorter fight favors Foreman, but if Joe manages to get past the early rounds (which he fails to do in 73 and 76'), and get up from a couple knockdowns and weather the strorm, I say he wins the fight.. maybe even a late TKO of big George.. He needs to fight a somewhat Smarter strategy.. adjust his style to George, which he failed to do in 73 and 76'..- if he gets Foreman into the late rounds (15 round fight), Foreman's stamina wasn't that good (ala Ali, Jimmy Young fights..) and Smokin Joe would come on over the later rounds, BUT he needs to get into those late rounds, and not get TKO'd by Foreman- I say just fight a SMARTER fight strategy and get Foreman tired- and Joe wins.. I know This sounds crazy considering George already knocked out Joe twice- BUT this was not the Joe of March 8, 1971.. Frazier w15 Foreman- or late Tko ala 13th, 14th round.. This is very subject to debate..
Yea Joe was great that night. As for the Foreman fight, styles make fights and Frazier would never beat Foreman imo.
I think he may have given Foreman a more competitive fight, maybe winning if it lasted fifteen.But it would be hell for him in the early going.
i have always felt that frazier got into wars when he didnt need to he just seemed to just take punishment for the hell of it. but frazier was fading before he was using combo's and a better defence but in his latewr self he was to willing to trade with big stronger or hevyier guys...which is really really bad for health in the 2nd foreman fight frazier put a hit and run approach which worked but it wasnt his style and he hadnt changed style at all for a 20 long boxing career. in his prime i actually say he was unbeatable becuase he was hard to hit hit hard with that killer left hook and his overhand right could bang to. his relentless pressure could do alot of damage to big men and i think he could of beaten george a few years before. he was a typical inside/slugger and it can be the hardest style in all boxing as you cant keep it for long tyson/dempsey/sullivan all were great in there prime but could never keep up the pressure speed and reactions that there younger selves had. in his prime i think tha t he could out fight george and maybe ud but he would of lost in a rematch
Foreman would probably beat Frazier 90 times out of 100, Foreman was Fraziers kryptonite. But Ali and Frazier were meant for each other style wise, and that made all there fights competitve against each other.
Smoking Joe made me a boxing fan. That night he was great. One of the best HW matches I have seen in mi life time. And I was cheering for him that night. :yep
