Joe Frazier would have whupped Sonny Liston

Marshal was journeyman and a bum, 30 pounds lighter than Liston and still Liston stopped him just once in 3 fights.

But he was knocked out, even old Ali and 50 years old Foreman weren't knocked out by some LHw contender.

It doesn't change the fact that it's not irrelevant here, you cut ring same way no matter of opponent style.

 

There's 3 boxers who I think are bad style match ups for Frazier.

Foreman obviously, Tyson, and you guessed it....Liston.

 

You didn't prove anything!
Look at Liston s record,how many he kod, how many he actually lost to.. not that many let's be honest.
If he'd have been fighting a guy for 15 chances are he Kos em.
Or beat's them on points if they go the distance.

 

He went distance numerous times, best win was smallish chinny LHw Patterson and one handed slugger Williams.
He lost also against two LHWs in his lifetime and lost twice by quitting against Ali.

He won't beat many guy if he somehow got to 12 rounds, durable guys like Holmes and Holyfield would eat him alive after 12 rounds.

 

I'd add both Louis and Lewis to that list. I think all 5 are a nightmare for Joe.

Frazier has a better chance against someone like Holmes or Holyfield. In fact I'd favor prime Frazier over both those guys.

 

Boxingfool despawned from the classic forum until being reawakened by a thread suggesting Liston beats someone stronger than a 20 LBS raccoon. Typical.

 

Adding to my above post, I think Frazier does have somewhat of a chance against Liston and Louis. But I wouldn't favor him. I'd pick both Louis and Liston to stop him mid-rounds.

Tyson, and Lewis... against those two guys Frazier has extremely poor odds. I think they both stop him early.

We already know he can't beat George.

 

He won convincingly over 12 rds against Machen.
Williams was NOT one handed.
Holmes lost twice to a former LHvy.

 

Yeah, Holmes lost against top 3 all time LHW not two journeymans and bums.
He won so convincingly that he was frustrated and god knows if Machen didn't hurt his hand before the fight and fight went 15 rounds what would happen.

 

I think Liston was a little better than Foreman, taken as a whole. People are overstating the margin overall though - Foreman had a far better career, lets not forget, & part of that owes to him being well within range of Liston as a fighter. It is precisely some of Liston’s advantages though that gives Frazier a narrow window for victory - though I agree the heavy betting should be all on Liston.

I would favour Louis & Tyson over Frazier too, though again with Tyson, I don’t think Frazier’s odds are rock bottom. Lewis is a really dangerous fight but I couldn’t in all honesty take him as favourite over Frazier. Too lazy in his prime.

 

Lewis fought to the level of his opposition. He was lazy against lesser fighters like Rachman and Briggs, but there's no way he's gonna underestimate Joe Frazier.

I don't see how Frazier beats Lewis. Lennox was too physically strong and could push Joe off just as easily as Foreman could, and i just cannot envision Frazier handling Lewis' cross and uppercut.

 

If Lewis channels his inner-Lion he would beat Frazier. The one who blasted out guys in one or two rounds…trouble is that was mostly a pre-prime Lewis. His best years were as an overly-cautious Boxer with a lazy, highly over-rated jab. I think he’s in big trouble if he imagines he’s going to sleepwalk through this, ala the Tua or second Holyfield fight.

I will concede if I were Frazier’s management I wouldn’t be keen on the fight. I favour Frazier but it’s arguably Lewis’ fight to lose. I just narrowly favour he will make that wrong choice & lose it. The door is open for him to blast Frazier out though.

 

Lewis hurt Tua early, then Tua showed cowardice and stopped trying to win because he was scared of the power. The fight being dull was more Tua's fault than Lewis'. After round 1, Tua was just there for a check.

Frazier, unlike Tua, would keep trying to win, but that just means he'd walk into more and more uppercuts.