Joe Frazier Comeback

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by GAP07, Apr 7, 2019.


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  1. GAP07

    GAP07 New Member Full Member

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    There was a time in the late 1970's when Joe Frazier was "this close" to making a comeback. He got de-railed due to a Hepatitis B scare but until then he was negotiating with ABC to fight Earnie Shavers (they offered about $800,00, but Joe wanted 1 million) and I believe he was actually contracted to fight against Johnny Dupree at Ceasar's Palace. There were some other names being thrown into the hat. My question: assuming he won how far do you think Joe would have taken the high road? He was still relatively young, about 33-34 years old. Do you think he could have come back all the way?
     
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
    #1
  2. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He did comeback for a fight in 81 which ended in a draw. I'm glad he didn't fight on. He was in so many wars, what was left of him after the Thrilla in Manila got taken by Foreman. What a great champion he was.
     
    AwardedSteak863, Apr 7, 2019
    AwardedSteak863, Apr 7, 2019
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  3. GAP07

    GAP07 New Member Full Member

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    Good point! By the time Joe fought Jumbo Cummings he was at least 38. I just took another look at that fight., Hadn't seen it in quite some time. Joe seemed to be enjoying himself but couldn't really pull the trigger. I read some post-fight interviews and he wanted to fight again in 3-6 months. Never happened though. I think his family over-ruled him!
     
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
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  4. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The fight Joe was supposed to have was against Knoetze
     
    zadfrak, Apr 7, 2019
    zadfrak, Apr 7, 2019
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  5. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Joe's style didnt make for a long career.
    He has his detractors because of the Foreman fight but IMO Foreman would have done that to plenty of HW Champions that night. Difference being they wouldn't have gotten up 6 times like Joe did even after taking a rt hand to the back of the head.
    Joe won the FOTC and showed again what he was made of in Manila with only God knows how much vision left.
    Great great under appreciated Champion who's style wasnt suited for the long haul let alon combacks.
     
    robert ungurean, Apr 7, 2019
    robert ungurean, Apr 7, 2019
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  6. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    In retrospect the draw perfect for Frazier.

    Had he won, he gets a bigger fight and might have gone out like Joe Louis.

    A loss to a guy on the level of Cummings, who didn't win a fight after drawing with Frazier might have hurt his legacy.

    Frazier landed a low blow in round four and was in trouble in round eight. I neve saw the full fight, but suspect it was a gift draw for Frazier, who by this age had little smoke in him left to offer.

    [url]https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YEQNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lm0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3214,983270&hl=en[/url]
     
    Mendoza, Apr 7, 2019
    Mendoza, Apr 7, 2019
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  7. GAP07

    GAP07 New Member Full Member

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    You're right! Thanks for the correction!
     
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
    #7
  8. GAP07

    GAP07 New Member Full Member

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    I can't argue with your logic - but the part of me that always roots for the underdog wants to believe that in 1977/1978, after having had some time off, Joe at least had a fighting chance to get back in the mix. I think it was a moot point by the time Joe finally inked a deal to fight Jumbo Cummings. It was too late by then. But I still think there was small window of opportunity around the time Joe was negotiating to fight Earnie Shavers in '77. Who can say for sure? But it's fun talking about it!
     
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
    #8
  9. GAP07

    GAP07 New Member Full Member

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    [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80QqWx2oYKc[/url] Frazier vs Cummings. check it out! Hopefully the link works!
     
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
    GAP07, Apr 7, 2019
    #9
  10. steve1990

    steve1990 Active Member Full Member

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    Wasn't Joe supposed to fight in Canada in 82 but the card got cancelled?
     
    steve1990, Apr 7, 2019
    steve1990, Apr 7, 2019
    #10
  11. Oakland Billy Smith

    Oakland Billy Smith Active Member banned Full Member

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    Had he fought on, he most likely would have been fed to either Holmes or even Cooney, both of whom would probably dominate and KO him at that stage of his career
     
    Oakland Billy Smith, Apr 7, 2019
    Oakland Billy Smith, Apr 7, 2019
    #11
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  12. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Like a majority of champs once they win the championship they tend to get a little soft. Lack of training, will to win drops, distractions of being a champ. Joe suffered from all of that and injuries and all out wars. Glad he chose not to comeback. Ali should have retired after Zaire.
     
    Gazelle Punch, Apr 7, 2019
    Gazelle Punch, Apr 7, 2019
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  13. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    It was , I saw it and Joe looked horrible, calling him a shell was being kind. Shavers might have killed him
     
    Reinhardt, Apr 7, 2019
    Reinhardt, Apr 7, 2019
    #13
  14. SeanK

    SeanK Member Full Member

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    It was a blow out, but his bout with Foreman in a way showed his massive heart. It was clear he was never going to win, but he just kept getting up and he would’ve kept going until he physically couldn’t. No quit in him and you have to respect it so much.
     
    SeanK, Apr 7, 2019
    SeanK, Apr 7, 2019
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  15. Ken Ashcroft

    Ken Ashcroft Boxing Addict Full Member

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    That sounds kinda weird when you think that Joe could might have had a shot at Holmes title around that time when you remember that his son, a 23 year old Marvis, did actually fight Holmes in 1983.
     
    Ken Ashcroft, Apr 7, 2019
    Ken Ashcroft, Apr 7, 2019
    #15
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