Who could have beaten smoke on points ? Not talking about stopping him but purely outworking Joe for the points win. Even a prime Ali would be a 50/50 fight i reckon and i just cannot see any other guy managing it. I doubt Larry Holmes could have pulled it off going by the close fight with Witherspoon. Got to hand it to Joe, he was an absolute machine in his prime. Thoughts ?
A few past champs would have. Holmes, Walcott, Tunney, Charles, and Vlad K. had good chance. Out of those mentioned, I have feeling that Walcott, while not best of bunch mentioned has best chance and possible ko win.
I've gone well over the Holmes-Frazier match up in detail and Larry wouldn't see the final bell let alone win a decision against Frazier. There's a few i'd pick to be up on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage in a prime Vs prime matchup, like Foreman, Louis, Lewis and Tyson but to go the full 12/15 with him and take a decision is a smaller selection of fighters. Ali, like you said is pretty 50/50, however I think FOTC Joe beats any version of Ali. Walcott's not a bad shout to be fair. His best days at heavyweight where when he was on the decline but a crafty fighter that's strong enough to deal with Frazier's physicality and like wise with Bowe who may be able to outfight Frazier on the inside and the height and reach advantage may play it's toll. Vitali may be a tough customer for Frazier to break down as well, the height difference would definitely be a stiff obstacle to overcome. Liston is also a good shout. A very good outside game may leave Joe on the end of Sonny's jab all night. I'll throw a wildcard in with Jack Johnson. Frazier isn't exactly the greatest combination puncher and there weren't many better at defending single shots than Johnson. I'd think Frazier's work rate would probably be a bit to much, but he's got a good chance for me.
Holy is the only man I'd expect to do it. Marciano and Ali are live underdogs. Anyone else who beats smoke would do so via brute force.
Nobody. I wouldn't pick anybody to beat Joe Frazier on points at his very very best. It's knock him out or lose.
