Joe Frazier Vs. Evander Holyfield..Prime for Prime?

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And anyone that thinks Frazier was fat at 205 needs glasses. He was a rock.

 

Frazier of the FOTC was a tough fighter to beat he fought a rugged war vs Ali and it was competitive all the way but I have to say Frazier was dominant against the strongest Ali, I know many think the Foley or Williams Ali was the best but none of those guys were Joe Frazier but Frazier had a short prime.....Evander had an amazing career and he was competitive with the best of his era but I don't think any version of Evander beat the Frazier of the FOTC ...Evander had a great win over Tyson and his heart was top notch and he would beat a weaker Frazier like the one Foreman beat but prime for prime Frazier takes it IMO

 

This is a tough one to call but I'll lean toward Frazier. It would be one hell of a fight that's for sure but I think Joe outhustles Evander for a decision win. If Evander could stick to boxing Joe from the outside for most of the fight then he stands a good chance but we all know how Holyfield can be prone to brawling. Frazier would draw Evander into a brawl due to his relentless pressure. Evander has good foot movement but it's not the evasive fleetfootedness of Ali. Joe would get to Evanders body, whip in a couple of left hooks and then the brawl begins as Holyfield would try as hell to punish Frazier for it. I see Holyfield leading on the cards up to about the 5th or 6th with Frazier slowly taking control after that. Frazier by decision in a classic.

 

When was Holyfield at his best? When he was fighting Foreman and Bowe at around 205-208? or the older slower version that fought at 215? He had his most famous wins against Tyson but he mightve been past it then as well.

he was two different fighters, totally different styles.

 

I would disagree, and actually believe that a few others will agree with me??? The thought that this was the best version of Frazier is a sterotype based upon the fact that this was his biggest win...IMHO Frazier from 68 Mathis through 69 Quarry I is the absolute peak version of Frazier.

 

Teach me not to finnish reading all posts before replying...I would agree w/ the first part of your post anyway.

 

I think Frazier had just reached his prime in `68. I dont know if he had peaked IMO until maybe `69 or `70. His headmovement and his semi crouch seemed more polished and refined in his fight with Ellis.

 

I'm a big Holy fan but I dont think anyone can win a war of attrition with Frazier without serious firepower. I dont think Holy hits hard enough to deter Joe from swarming forward.

Frazier points over 12, late stoppage over 15.

 

I can't believe so many people are picking Frazier to win this fight...I mean really.. if you breaking it down by Cross... hooks.. jabs.. speed... chin.... footwork.. counters... etc etc.. I mean do people really give Frazer more categories? I would say most wouldn't.. yet more are picking Frazier... Makes little to no sense. Surely, Holy could deal with Joe's one and only weapon a left hook.. Surely!!

 

not as confident in this pick as I was. never realised holy was 6'2. been watching some of him tonight and i forget how impressive he was.

 

Frazier had more than just a left hook. The problem with Joe was that he sometimes relied on it too much which made his offense somewhat one dimensonal. When he chose to use his rght hand more he was a very dangerous opponent as we saw in his second fight with Quarry. In the FOTC Joe tagged Ali with a few sneaky and powerful right hands that rocked Muhammed and he often threw the right to the body along with the left hook. Combine that with his head and body movement and relentless pressure and Evander is in for a long night. When I look at the FOTC I'm surprised at the number of punches Joe made Ali miss with his bob and weave and head movement. If he could make the fastest HW of all time miss that many shots then he can make Holyfield miss alot as well. Granted he'll take a lot but Holy didn't have the kind of power to stop a prime Frazier in his tracks which is why I think Joe takes a hard fought UD n a great fight.