Joe Frazier, 1971 vs Eddie Machen, 1960

Machen was a really good boxer. I don’t think he was better than Ellis and he wasn’t in the same league as Ali and Frazier gave these two fits to put it mildly.

As Klompton said it was a green Frazier who beat the aged Machen. The finished peak 1971 Frazier article was far better than the Joe who beat Machen and Eddie even at his best just didn’t have the strength, size, prowess or movement to survive Frazier.
Eddie definitely had the guts to hang in there but he’d get worked over, over powered and out classed for a late stoppage in a similar scenario to the actual fight but fought at a far higher standard.

 

I think it's possible that Machen could be ahead with his counterpunching, but Frazier wins by a come-behind TKO.

 

They did dight, though Eddie was past it. In their primes I'd pick Frazier via UD by a 3-4 round margin. Machen didn't have enough to keep Frazier off, but he was tough enough to go the distance with a prime Sonny Liston.

 

The 1971 version of Frazier would have troubled any Heavyweight Champion. He would have way too much for the admittedly excellent Machen.
Joe by stoppage after the 8th.

 

I agree with you, except that Machen was pretty damn durable, and I think he would last the 15-round distance.