Joe Frazier vs Riddick Bowe

Honestly? Yes, if he doesn't bomb him out first. Nobody can afford to take Wilder's punches that frequently and Bowe will eat an abundance of them unless he bombs him out early. 50-50 fight but gun to my head I'll take Wilder.

 

I am probably displaying my ignorance here and happy to be corrected but doesn't Bowe going life and death with Holyfield, another smaller heavyweight, give us a clue to a fight with Frazier? While Bowe won the series convincingly I find it hard to imagine he would blow Frazier out, considering that along with Evander, Joe is one of the most intense champs with the biggest heart in history who only lost to the generally assumed GOAT HW of all time and then the most feared HW puncher of his time who subsequently was good enough to regain the title when he came back as a grandfather.

Perhaps this is rather circuitous logic and styles do make fights of course, but other than Holy I don't see Bowe having fought anyone at the level of Ali or Foreman, let alone Ellis or Quarry and the second time he was drawn into wars vs the crude and erratic Golota he was seriously damaged (albeit with the constant fouling).

I think Bowe had the physical tools and talent to beat Frazier, but other than a lucky punch, I can't imagine it being easy and a huge amount depends on Riddick's mental state and focus. Anything less than his A game and he has a difficult night.

 

I'm not a fan of Wilder as you know but I agree he would have a good chance vs Bowe. Bowe has a leaky defense and doesn't use his height and reach he likes to slug it out.

I think Bowe is way more skilled than Wilder and I would much rather watch Bowe over Wilder any day of the week. But with Wilder's power and Bowe's leaky defence it's a very dangerous fight him.

I wouldn't really make either fighter a favourite, I would just say both fighters have a good chance of beating eachother.

 

Which, in turn, reminds me of when I went to the sperm bank, to donate. Nurse said: "Would you like to masturbate in the cup, Mr Ezzard?"

I said "Well, I'm good but I don't think I'm ready for a tournament just yet. Perhaps if I keep practising..."

 

Bowe (Holyfield Version) wins a close decision. But man, that would be a war, a FOTY type fight. I just think the Bowe uppercut on the inside as the determining factor.

 

Bowe by grueling decision, I think it would be hell as long as it lasted. I could also see late stoppage for Bowe but I think Frazier would have hung in there and potentially even dropped Bowe in the fight with a lopping overhand right.

 

Love Frazier but this won’t be all that competitive. Bowe has no stamina problems, takes body shots well, good not great handspeed and straight punching. And he’s very capable at fighting compared to the other big heavyweights. Bowe stops him within 6.

 

Did he hit harder than Golota?

 

Frazier takes him into deep water and drowns him with unrelenting attack. Bowe's propensity to fight in range backfires on him big time. KO11.

 

But then Golota is a better Polish fighter than the likes of Spzilka, who Wilder was in his prime against and struggled with, unlike Bowe who was past his prime vs Golota so that works both ways.

 

Bowe KO

 

Very hard fight to predict. Truthfully I can see either man winning. Bowe was so good on the inside that’s going to be a big problem for Frazier, as is Bowe’s formidable punching power. But then you think of the Frazier work rate, & how Bowe staggered to his feet from a left hook by Holyfield.

Speaking of his virtual one-fight prime night, Bowe won’t get the breather here & there Holyfield’s petrol tank allowed him to have. & his defense, as others have said, is a smorgasbord for Frazier.

Frazier is going to have to wear some big shots from an undeniably talented guy. Whose corner is Futch in? It may come down to this. 50-50 fight. I abstained from voting.

 

I'm sitting here in Phuket at 3 o'clock in the morning, reading this and laughing.

 

I think the one whose intelligence we should be criticizing is Bowe.

 

Spot-on--great analysis! If Bowe comes into the fight really locked in he's got a shot--but he would have to be in absolutely top physical condition and laser focused. Anything less and he loses!!