How Close To Unbeatable Was FOTC Frazier?

The FOTC Frazier would have been even money with the majority of the great Champions, imo.He would smother Holyfield with that performance,that was Joe's finest hour,and the one that cost him the most.

 

FOTC was one of Joe's greatest performances. Nobody is beating him on that night, not even George Foreman or Sonny Liston, who most on this forum conclude would both destroy any version of Joe Frazier. The interesting question is who would last longer between these two against FOTC Joe Frazier. I'd say a prime Liston makes it to the 9th or 10th round before getting stopped while Foreman makes it to the 7th or 8th before being stopped. Joe's body attack would be the determining factor in these fights.

The only other heavyweight fighters in boxing history that give FOTC Joe Frazier competition are, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, and Evander Holyfield. From these three, Tyson is the most dangerous but he's not knocking a FOTC Joe Frazier out early. Larry Holmes has a shot at a close UD win but it's unlikely. He had better overall boxing skills than Ali and his jab is better but he's slower on his feet meaning Frazier would catch him quicker. Holyfield is probably the toughest of the bunch with comparable endurance and heart to Frazier, but Evander is not a real heavyweight and likely gets KO'd in the later rounds against FOTC Joe Frazier.

 

Frazier would've beaten Holyfield, especially over 15. Styles make matchups, and even though Holyfield was the more versatile of the two, he was too easily drawn into a war, which Frazier would make it all night. Frazier by clear Decision over 15, something like 9-6. It's not out of the question that Holy gets stopped late, given his lesser stamina and tendancy to take time to recollect and compose himself, while Frazier would be always active.

 

Foreman would have flattened him nearly as easily. Maybe he'd have lasted another two rounds- and the ref would have stopped it after the 10th knockdown.

 

Almost imposible to say realy.

All I will venture is that he would have lost to sombody who fought on the back foot as enthusiasticaly as he fought on the front foot.

 

What about the Tyson that fought Spinks 1988?

 

Exactly. I'd also back peak Liston without hesitation. Joe Louis with some early heat would be rather difficult. Tho our opinions vary, i think peak Ali would be at worst even's to turn the trick. Tyson would be very dangerous. I think peak Holmes would be even's to 6-5 fave. Personally i'd back Lewis.

As for the rest tho - good luck

 

I wonder if Joe Louis would knock out Frazier in one round if he came out looking for it. Doubt it, but it's nice to imagine. As it turns out I think Frazier would be one of his toughest challenges.

 

it'd take some serious fire power or some serious boxing skills and stamina to stop that fraizer ..

 

That would be one super fight.

The Tyson who fought Spinks was arguably at his destructive best or near it. I don't think he stops FOTC Frazier, but could have him down a couple of times early in the fight. It wouldn't matter because Joe would keep getting up and outworking Tyson to the body. Ali hit Frazier with a lot of good clean punches early in the fight, but Frazier made him miss a lot of punches as well. Tyson's combinations are fast, but are arguably not as fast as Ali's. Tyson's only chance to win this fight is to stop Frazier within 6 rounds which is likely not happening against FOTC version of Frazier. Mike would get outworked by Frazier to a late stoppage or he loses a UD.

 

Tyson, Louis, Lennox, Foreman, Marciano, Dempsey and Liston all can blow him out early. Whether they will is another question.

Any other boxer in history i'd not give better than 50/50 odds.

 

let's not get carried away. It wasn't peak Ali. Watch the Bonavena fight - Ali was missing alot due to inactivity - timing was off and he was tiring badly in later rounds which never happened v patterson 1, mildenburger, terrell etc. Early rounds he looked fine but later rounds the inactivity told. Peak Frazier got him at the right time but he was still an awesome fighter. Foreman and Liston are always gonna be favourite against in ya face style Frazier. They will throw big bombs early and score and have that advantage over Ali.