Is anyone here old enough to remember Frazier losing the title to Foreman?

Don't discount the mental aspect of it. After Joe Frazier walked through Ali to win the FOTC, that was the biggest win anyone ever had anywhere. Not just punishment on both sides but the buildup, politics, the stress placed on both boxers. It was years in the making. Frazier more or less had cleaned out the division from '67-71.
Point is he stopped to smell the roses, he relaxed and started to enjoy life outside of boxing. His management set him up and was urging him to consider retirement.
With Joe's style of fighting and his physical limitations that wasn't a luxury he could afford. He needed that pitbull focus to be able to grind down larger Heavyweights. He lost his drive but after losing the crown he regained some of his form. He got close to winning the title back.
Had Joe faced Foreman had his peak I think he would have made a better fight of it but still lost.

 

Close to the Edge from 1971. Incredible musicianship. Imagine a lead singer that can really sing and a lead guitarist what can really play guitar!

 

Foreman was a once in a generation type of puncher.

 

Well Kenney Jones wasn't the right drummer for the band although I do like Face Dances and It's Hard. I saw them in 89 with Simon Phillips, he did a good job, but since 96 they've had Zak Starkey and he's fantastic the closest thing style wise to Keith Moon.

 

Excellent post, great points. +100

 

Sorry OT folks but...I liked Kenney with the Faces, but agree he just didn't have the reckless abandon and edginess Keith did (now that I think about it, NOBODY did).

Now Simon Phillips I first heard on (of all places) Judas Priest's Sin after Sin, and he helped make that album. Too bad he couldn't have replaced Keith.

Starkey is real good. I seem to be kind of alone in really liking "Endless Wire".

 

I recall being shocked along with everyone else. After all,we all knew the script - the only man around at the time who was capable of ending Frazier's unbeaten record was Muhammad Ali in a rematch between the pair.

In a conversation with schoolmates the following day we all agreed that we would n't see another upset like that for a long time. How wrong can you be ? Just over two months later we all know what happened !

 

I was also freeked out by Norton's demolition. I'm one of those people who think Ali never really beat Norton, so to see what George did to him completely rocked my world.

George's accomplishment over Norton continued to amaze me in light of future events: he knocked Norton out when Ken was undoubtedly in his prime...and years later a past-it Norton fought what Larry Holmes' called easily his toughest fight.

 

well remember that other Foreman destruction also----Roman. Even more brutal since the guy was trying with all is might to get up and could never get past about 3 inches.

 

Can't forget that one, @zadfrak! George continued to look supernaturally indestructible...