Joe Frazier vs. Kallie Knoetzee '1978'

I remember this fight being planned,and thinking that Frazier was off his head for thinking about coming back. We'd have have been talking about a ring rusty version of the Frazier who fought the return with George Foreman in 1976. Joe was bad enough in that one,but nonetheless,he'd have had enough left for Knoetzee,imo.

 

yank durham died in 1973...

 

I was about to jump back into this one,for the very same reason as you did. Duce obviously means Eddie Futch.

 

That does complicate matters.

 

yeah then i was gunna edit my post and put dont u mean eddie futch

 

I suppose Joe's experience and determination would always give him a chance, but anytime an aging fighter returns from an extended layoff, it usually results in a bad ending. Especially when the first fight back is against a rated contender in his prime, and not a journeyman or tomato can. Joe was never the type to take the comback road the way that Foreman, Holmes or Louis did, by facing a string of lesser opponents before stepping up.. Even Floyd Cummings looked somewhat promising in 1981, though in hindsite never went anywhere. A big puncher like Knoetzee might have proven to be an aging Frazier's downfall..

 

I'd have been more worried about where a victory over Knoetzee would have taken Frazier. He'd have got beaten badly by someone like an up and coming Larry Holmes.

 

I agree. Give a dog a bone, and he'll beg for more... Had Joe beaten a top contender in the late 70's, its doubtful that he would have quit while he was ahead.. The temptation to try for another stab at the title would have been overwhelming, and it could have been the death of him..

 

don't worry about it. I didn't even know anything about that article you posted nor even that much about Yank Durham for that matter.

 

Joe originally wanted to come back and have a fourth fight with Muhammad Ali,and without a tuneup !!!!! Just think how terrible that fight would have been :roll: The idea was to fight Ali in early 1978. Now,although Muhammad had slipped,big time,since Manilla Joe had to have deteriorated even more,taking into account his near two years of ringrust.