On ESPN Classics tonight they are showing Frazier's title defense against Ron Stander, a punching bag who occasionally punched back. He refs lots of fights nowadays, and once ko'd Ernie Shavers. Frazier was letting self go, not training as hard after beating Ali, and it shows a bit.
Stander is like some mid-west farmer who has them Elvis sideburns goin' on.... He busts up rather easy.... He and Joe Frazier did a tango in '72 out in Nebraska.... Christ, heavyweight title fights just don't happen in the mid-west like they use to do...... MR.BILL:-(
I have not seen fight since I watched it live on televison. I remember announcer trying to make it sound competitive. I'm going to watch it again. Stander always reffed fights in Nebraska, and I think he may have done a few out of that state. He seemed like type who did not train much, a Tex Cobb without the personality.
After fight, i watched post fight interviews, and ESPN cut it off after Frazier and Stander talked. Standing in line to be interviewed was guy in grey jacket and shades. It was George Foreman, on right of screen. I would have liked to see what he said. I had forgotten how bad Stander was. Anyone notice announcer saying Frazier was hardest hitter Stander ever fought? Stander had fought Ernie Shavers, ko'ing him, about a year earlier.
