How good was Joe Fraizer?

He was clearly the dominant heavyweight during the years when the US government sidelined Ali for refusing to be drafted into the Army. A true warrior he brutalized most of his opponents from the time he turned pro until 1971, a period of seven years. Joe had tremendous heart and dedication. After the first fight with Ali there was some obvious slippage. One of the ATG left hookers. Watch his first fight with Jerry Quarry (1969) to see what great body punching looks like.

 

H2H and Legacy Top 15-20 for me.
Maybe he scatches the top 10 in terms "of all time greatness" for his iconic trillogy with Ali.
But H2H wise too many stylistic nightmares for him like Big George, Sonny or other tall boxer punchers.
I definatelly rank Ali, Louis, Formean, Liston, Holmes, Lewis, Holyfield, Tyson, Marciano, Dempsey above him. But he is in the VK / Witherspoon / Mercer / Baer / Cooney region H2H.

In terms of Legacy his carrer is not the longest...mainly due to his one-dimensional style, relying so much on perfect conditioning.

 

Top Ten.

 

Not enough good for Foreman and Ali.

 

Hi Buddy.
For me it's less how great he was, and not into who he might beat, who might beat him, or H2H, or resume, none of that, you say there is a lot of love and respect for Joe, and you are correct, I can't speak for other posters but my love and respect is born out of him as a man first and fighter second, we all know the ( well maybe you don't ) back story, big family humble upbringing, honest and hard work in the slaughterhouse, the dedication and commitment all through his career, no peds, no playing around, no foul mouth rants, he had but one purpose, to win the HW title, and would let nothing or no one stand in his way, the unnecessary, and looking back cruel, words of Ali must have hurt, but Joe was the bigger man, even tho his kids were were brought into the fray by young and ignorant schoolmates, that must be heartbreaking for any man, still Joe kept his council, he should be revered and spoke about in hushed tones, lots of talk about Ali and his speed and fleet footedness, quite rightly, but there have been very few HWs with Frazier's stamina and workrate, and even fewer with a bigger heart, he wasn't the greatest, and maybe not in the top ten, I care not a jot, for me he was an exceptional man, who happened to be a very good fighter, wish there were a Joe Frazier out there today fighting, then we would see something.
stay safe hombre, chat soon.

 

Top 10. I have him 7th. A great fighter, a warrior. A good and dignified man. A flawed man too in many ways IMO, but aren’t we all?

 

Top 10 certainly.
A great, exciting fighter with a huge heart.
Unfortunately, as it has been mentioned, his boxing style and physical size meant he was in huge disadvantage when facing a big puncher, like Foreman.

Anyway, Joe had the heart of a true warrior.
A lot has been said, rightly, of how Foreman knocked him down six times. But the point is that Foreman was unable to knock him out. Every time Joe got back on his feet in no time.
Foreman has stated that he was afraid Joe would keep coming back for more and would suffer irreparable damage. He is right; I am persuaded if the referee doesn't stop the fight Joe would have fought Foreman until dropping dead.

 

You said it all beautifully.

 

Hi Buddy.
Appreciate your kind words, increases the sentiment coming from a top notch poster like yourself.
stay safe , chat soon.

 

Hi Buddy.
Your more than welcome, even this early we can tell your a polite and well mannered poster, hopefully with time and knowledge,you will become a much more learned and informed member, until then feel free to ask the forum any and all, on our beloved sport.
stay safe SL, chat soon.

 

In terms of greatness, top 10 for me without a doubt. His style wasn’t built to last but in his prime he was awesome.

He was just a sensationally good fighter. I watch him and compare him very favourably with any of today’s heavyweights. Size would be a factor now but I just think that when someone is damn good and they meet an average big guy, the damn good small guy is going to win.

H2H against fellow ATGs he might not fare as well given size disadvantages against a Lewis, Klitschko or Bowe but I’d love to have seen him battle Marciano, Holmes or Holyfield. And for what’s it’s worth, I think he’d kick Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey’s asses.

Fights with the likes of Sonny Liston, Mike Tyson and Floyd Patterson would be fascinating, particularly the first two because Joe just wouldn’t be intimidated by either of them. Still, he wasn’t intimidated by George Foreman either and that didn’t work out too well. He was almost like one of those people who has no fear impulse and that leads them into situations that will risk their own life.

Still, that also reflects his character as a fighter; kill or be killed - there were no other options.