very true, but he slipped and blocked holmes jab for the whole first round, trying to imitate his father, imagaine what a smaller frazier would do, its just basic boxing science, jabber movers have trouble with swarmers.
I'd root for Frazier, better person, but I would pick Holme,s slight edge. Frazier did not have that one punch ko power attributed to him by some, unless he really got chance to get set and dig in. The edge I give Holmes is slight, but Holmes was tough, and strong. Frazier's downfall would be how easy he was to hit. Ali is more famous, on more lists, but had no punch. Holmes could punch a bit.
Frazier would struggle with Holmes, and Joe agreed with that sentiment. I've always asked him what fight with another great heavyweight in history he would have been most loathe to take, and he always answered me, in private, with Larry Holmes, because that jab would 'hurt'. To me, that is in fact the key. Ali beat Joe up and busted him up, but had a hard time keeping his respect with solid power connects, which is why Joe gave him so much trouble. Holmes was more stationary, on one hand, but on the other, had more sting in all his punches. In round 8, I believe, of Ali vs. Frazier II, Ali lands a TRIPLE jab. 1,2,3 jabs, fully extended, flush, as Ali is retreating to the ropes. Joe's head snaps back, and he keeps coming. If those 3 jabs were from Holmes, Joe wouldn't have walked through them. If Smoke can get at Holmes consistently, he has a great shot to win. But I give Larry the edge because he could, in fact, hurt at deter Joe at a distance. Joe would struggle more boxing with Larry than he did with Ali and other boxers, because Larry was a PUNISHING opponent to face at range. Not just difficult, punishing.
Against THAT Frazier, Holmes would have a field day and would probably stop Frazier before the final bell. Bad matchup.
This is an amazing match up ... prime for prime I like Joe over 15 ... Holmes has a better shot over 12 but I still favor Joe ..
Just like Muhammad Ali,Holmes would have far more trouble with Joe Frazier than he would with George Foreman.
With all respect to Smokin' Joe,whom I've always admired,what the bloody hell was going through his mind when he signed his kid up to meet Larry Holmes ??? He was nothing more than a novice at this point in time. I've always maintained that Gerry Cooney was woefully ill prepared for Holmes,but I think Frazier Jr was even more so.
400k payday back then was alot, i dont know either, frazier was a good fighter though some decent names on his resume, would be a belt holder 5 years down the line easy.
Marvis had n't beaten anyone of note. As much as I liked Joe Bugner,he was fat and over the hill when Marvis fought him in his last fight before Holmes.
Holmes wins. Frazier wasn't a good boxer. He was behind a over weight Mathis, and was down early to Ellis. Holmes would not wilt the way those two did.
Peak for Peak Id favor Joe by late stoppage. We saw Larry Holmes get hurt and dropped a few times but he was always able to recover. Usually it was one big shot that decked him. Holmes had a huge heart. With Frazier different ballgame. Joe is going to get inside and punish Holmes`s body. Consistant body punishment over 8- 10 rounds is going to cut Larry`s legs and recuperative powers down. Holmes was a great fighter but I dont believe he had quite Ali`s level of chin not to mention Ali`s unreal ability to take body punches. If the fight is anytime after Manila Holmes probably wins a comfortable decision.
