Joe Frazier were does he rank in the top 10

About 15 years ago, Smokin' Joe was probably mid-top ten. Most experts rated him ahead of even George Foreman even though Foreman easily beat Frazier twice. Their rationale was that Frazier was a better all-around fighter than Foreman. Better chin (although that was probably debunked in Foreman's comeback), better stamina, quicker, almost as much power, etc. After all, Frazier gave Ali his toughest fights while Ali beat Foreman without much difficulty. Later on, guys like Tyson, Holyfield, Lennox Lewis probably leapfrogged Joe in the top-ten alltime heavyweights. So today Frazier is either lower top-ten or at worst not lower than #12 IMO.

 

Based on Big George's incredible second career he leapfrogged Frazier in the all-time top ten according to many historians.

 

I'd rate Frazier above Holyfield, Tyson AND Lewis.
I'd put him above Holmes too.

 

This could very well be true Sonny. Frazier was a truly great fighter and he is underrated for some reason today. Anyone who could give Ali that much hell in three long fights is an elite fighter and among the very best ever IMO.

 

1. Ali
2. Louis
3. Marciano
4. Holmes
5. Johnson
6. Dempsey
7. Lewis
8. Foreman
9. Frazier
10. Holyfield

#9 for me, a case can be made he is as high as 5 or 6 and as low as 12 though.

 

1 Ali
2 Holmes
3 Louis
4 Foreman
5 Marciano
6 Dempsey
7 Frazier
8 Lewis
9 Liston
10 Holyfield

 

I find it odd that people think Frazier has a questionable chin. He takes a very good punch. Foreman didn't knock him out with one punch. Joe kept getting up. He was extremely durable for a little guy.

 

Where is your top 10????

most people rate holmes top 5...perhaps 2 is a stretch to most people..don't know? don't care!...I actually find the top 3 could be interchangeable and could probably argue marciano to a lesser degree as well...

yes frazier ahead of lewis...perhaps it is the Philly bias....but i could arguably (in my mind) place him 6th or as low as 10th, as I find 6 through 10 largely interchangable as well..

Foreman...Why not???

I actually excpected criticism of Holmes, but thought Dempsey would be next!

 

I have him relatively high at #5, on a list as following:
1. Ali
2. Louis
3. Foreman
4. Marciano
5. Frazier
6. Holmes
7. Dempsey
8. Jeffries
9. Johnson
10. Holyfield/Liston (can't make up my mind)

I can see a reasonably strong case for having him anywhere from about #3 to 9, though.

 

I'd have him in my lower top 10.

1. Louis
2. Ali
3. Holmes
4. Lewis
5. Johnson
6. Foreman
7. Marciano
8. Dempsey
9, Liston
10. Frazier

Sometimes I manage to fit either Holyfield or Tyson in the top 10, sometimes not.

 

#6.

 

My Top 10:

1. Louis
2. Ali
3. Holmes
4. Lewis
5. Marciano
6. Frazier
7. Liston
8. Tyson
9. Johnson
10. Holyfield

 

Norton gave Ali hell in three long fights does he belong in the top 10? I think not.Frazier,if he makes the top 10 is no higher than no 9 imo.Fights against great fighters 5 Wins 1 Losses 4.

 

But the guys you'd rate above him, what are their "records against "great" fighters" ?

Anyway, Frazier's standing isn't based entirely on beating Ali and giving him hell. He beat some other good contenders quite severely.
Having said that, his 15-round epic win over Ali is a remarkable performance, one of the best I've seen. It should count a lot, and not just because Ali is considered "very great".