I see Joe stopping Roman by the fifth. Joe tagged Cummings a few times with a left hook and that would have stopped Roman. Because of Joe's style to take punishment, this '81 Joe was nothing like say the '75 Joe. He still would have beaten Roman quite easily.
Frazier was "Smokeless" Joe Frazier by 81.' King was severely undersized as a heavyweight and spitting in Foreman's face during the ref's instructions in Japan was the dumbest thing he ever did. This obviously infruriated Foreman who not only pummelled Roman to the canvas, but also hit him while he was already down. Roman of 1973 UD over this Smokeless Joe.
A prime Roman was almost impossible to beat unless you knocked him out early. Frazier doesn't have power of Foreman (who also KO'd Frazier) so I don't see Frazier getting to him. Roman then proceeds to outpoint him with his "run for dear life" style of fighting. Roman looked pretty impressive here I thought until getting caught: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyiFIdbN2H4[/ame] He became shot after this fight and green in all of his previous losses so they don't count.
Alberto Lovell was another very underrated heavyweight of the 1970's. Watch him give Bugner all he can handle in a war: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZNUrHpnI34[/ame]
I'm amending my previous prediction in favor of the 1981 Joe Frazier. In fact, the Joe Frazier of TODAY would probably have beaten that guy in 1973. Sorry man not too impressed that's all.
GreatA is being sarcastic- I appreciated the laugh BTW. Roman was a really solid fighter and deserved main events, but they must have drew his name out of a hat for the Foreman shot. After reading what Bob Roop said about Roman and how he performed in a forerunner to the UFC in Miami back in 77'/78', I suspect he is not getting his fair due here or likely anywhere else.
Roman did beat a top ten contender (JOSE Ibar Urtain) while Urtain was ranked 1972 (Ring) . Foreman should have fought another guy that nite Roman's size and reach, (JERRY QUARRY). Maybe Quarry was a little stronger!!? Yes i'd rather seen a Bonavena or a Bugner in their opposed to Roman.
Surely even a 1981 Frazier,and Ali of that year,would still have had enough left to beat Roman. Shot as they both were
