I, too, will pick Joe to win, but I don't necessarily think it would be a romp for him. Corbett would have studied Joe thoroughly, and develop strategies to deal with Frazier's greatest strengths. When prepping for his first fight with Jeffries, he hired Gus Ruhlin as a sparring partner to emulate Jeff and used him extensively. In his second Jeffries fight, he worked with Tommy Ryan to develop a defense against Jeff's vaunted left hook to the body. Unfortunately for Gentleman Jim, he came up short both times against Jeffries. The first time he was well on his way to a 25-round decision win when he got caught in the 23rd. In the second fight, his timing was off enough for Jeff to catch him flush on the ribs in the second round, effectively deciding the outcome, but Corbett hung on until the tenth. His other KO loss, to Fitz, came in the 14th after dominating Fitz in the early rounds, flooring him in the sixth. Not many had that much success against Fitz. He could think on his feet, as he did when strategizing against Peter Jackson during the course of their fight. Corbett was successful against most styles of fighting in his day, but more than had his hands full against Tom Sharkey, a tireless, tough swarmer. Gentleman Jim was on the verge of being stopped in both of his encounters with the sailor. Granted, he was past his best when they met, but I believe Sharkey would have given him a hard fight any time they fought. In Joe Frazier, Corbett would be facing a swarmer who was quicker, harder to hit with his bobbing and weaving style, and moved like a relentless tank. I believe Joe would miss a lot in the early rounds, and Corbett would counter well. But I don't believe that Corbett's punches would hurt Joe. Joe would start landing and begin wearing him down. Prime Joe had fantastic endurance, and would not punch himself out. Using his science, Corbett may be able to make it to the final bell, but Joe's workrate and firepower would give him the victory.
Frazier would get close pretty quickly here and lacking the power to discourage Frazier a brave but bloody Corbett wouldn't see the 7th round
Jimmy Dances Joe silly, like he did Frazier. Unlike Ali, he doesnt make the mistake of standing there where he can be hit. Well at least not in 15 rounds he doesnt. In a finish fight, i can see Corbett outlasting him or the fight finishing in a draw, like it did with Peter Jackson. Joe relies too much on the left hook for Corbett not to defend it properly. And his size and power is nothing Corbett didnt deal with regularly. Literally nobody was able to outbox corbett and beat him on points. For Joe to win, he needs to keep working the body and be patient enough to lull corbett in and land a big shot. Others have and Joe is certainly capable, but the fight is Jimmy's to lose. I cant see him getting careless with someone like Frazier. I say that this will look an awful lot like Sullivan Corbett or perhaps the start of Corbett Jeffries.
BRUTAL being the key word here as well. Jim may or may not even make it out of the first...Depending on how fast Joe starts.
I don't think Corbett met too many 200lbs plus men ,especially ones that could bang. The best swarmer he met gave him hell, and he was just a big lhvy with no skills to speak of. Joe would not be looking to outbox Corbett, he would be looking to outfight him and, imo he would. Corbett was also dropped and stopped by ONE left hook body shot from a man weighing 157lbs, that does not bode well for his chances here imo.