Joe Frazier vs Ron Lyle

Frazier at his best prob gets knocked down a few times but Lyle didn’t fight the same way as Foreman. I don’t think he pushes Frazier and pivots the way Foreman did, think Frazier wears him down and knocks him out in 7

 

Have to go with Frazier to win this. I’m sure Lyle would be a tough and game opponent though

 

For the love of God.

 

And he sure showed it being shut out by an unrated fighter at the pinnacle of his career.

 

As I look back and consider Joe's career it seems he had problems with big, strong, hard-hitting opponents who could muscle him. Granted, I don't have a big sample size to back this up but when you trace his career from Bonavena to Ali to Foreman to Jumbo Cummings, physical strength combined with size seemed to bother him. For that reason Lyle looms as problematic. Frazier, who was best at 205 lbs, was the superior fighter but the bigger and presumably stronger Lyle poses a big risk.

 

Joe Frazier absolutely pulverizes the single most overrated heavyweight on this forum inside three rounds.

 

Lyle got manhandled and rocked by Quarry, there's quite literally no chance for him to make it to a decision.

 

Someone put this on a damn plaque!

 

Lyle knocks Frazier down early and has some success because Frazier is a notoriously slow starter.

But once Frazier weathers the early storm and warms into the fight then Lyle is in big trouble.

Frazier by TKO in 10th round.

 

I’d like to know what parallel universe people who think Ron Lyle somehow has equivalent chops to prime young George Foreman are living in, I don’t care what happened on Jan. 24, 1976.

 

That fight certainly skews the reality. Foreman was a different beast prior to Zaire. He also had Lyle in significant, serious trouble before the bell sounded a full minute early to close out round two (who knows with Foreman’s power if it ends right there?).

No chance Lyle makes it to the final bell. Didn’t have the workrate, didn’t have the finishing ability. Frazier knocks him dead with a single left hook in round ten.

 

Lyle isn't refined enough to take out Frazier.

 

To be fair to Lyle he turned pro at what, 29? 30? Take those years out of any fighter & you’d never see their full potential.