Joe Frazier vs. Leon Spinks

Obviously Frazier has most of the advantages in power and probably durability. However, Leon might be faster, and has a stamina to match Joe's. Although Joe was better, Leon was a faster starter than Joe, and that could prove problematic early on, since Leon still had a lot of power. Also, Leon could keep up that kind of pace and stick with Joe for a while. I'm going with Joe by SD or this could even be draw. SUPER BRUTAL WAR OF ATTRITION.

 

I respect your opinion, and I understand the common sentiment around Leon since he ultimately didn't make much of a dent in boxing, but I was purely basing this off of the fact that Frazier gave away early rounds to Ellis, Ali, and Mathis, who certainly didn't hit near as hard as Leon, and whether Bonavena and Quarry, who also won early rounds against Frazier, may not have hit as hard as Leon either (Bonavena for sure, Quarry, idk). I'm thinking that Leon would be able to inflict a lot more early punishment on anyone Joe ever faced, George Foreman aside.

 

I'm not sure about speed, but I've seen Leon fight at the highest pace possible for 10-15 rounds in at least three fights. I'm not saying his stamina is better than Joe's, but it's one of the best.

 

Yes and no. The Ali that Frazier fougtht was clearly a tough nut to crack and was a great physical specimen to behold. Joe was fighting an ATG that night that was in ATG shape and ready. Joe ate the very best Ali had, and he still whipped him. What Leon had to do was a bit different. Obviously the Ali that fought Spinks was not even worthy of being called a shadow of the FOTC Ali. However, Leon did have a problem that Joe didn't have, and that was a deficiency in experience, and he had no experience going 15. Leon didn't have a great opponent that night. Leon's opponent that night was not Ali, but the 15-round distance.

 

both at their best

 

U can be such a narrow-minded bloke at times.