I know there was a post about a 75 Frazier vs a 96 Holy in which Holy recieved the majority of votes. How do U see it playing out prime for prime? I like Frazier in this senerio.
I like Frazier aswell. I don't feel Holyfield has enough to consistently box and keep away from Frazier, I feel he gets dragged into a brawl. Holyfield in a brawl may work against sluggers at times because he has space and room to settle himself and establish his superior technical skills, shot selection and often accuracy. Against Frazier though, he's in with a physically strong guy who gives him 3 minutes of work for 12/15 rounds. I feel he'll smother Holyfield's work in such a way that Holyfield can't establish any of his punches.
Frazier was a great fighter and on his best day, was as good as anyone ever. However, Frazier had a relatively short absolute prime. I think there are a few reasons for this. He was a short heavyweight who took a lot to dish out a lot. He trained very very hard and burned out fairly young. His 1st fight with Ali took an awful lot out of him. On that night, he could have beaten just about anyone ever but he wound up in the hospital for about a week after the fight urinating blood. After that he was still a heck of a fighter but never quite the same as pre-Ali one. On his best night, I pick Frazier over Holyfield but Holyfield stayed at or near his best for a long time. Holyfield was one of the toughest guys that ever lived.
Agreed and I feel that Frazier's relentless, debilitating body punching would be the most effective way to break down Holyfield.
The Frazier of the FOTC would be too much for Evander..that version of Frazier only...was in another class tha Holyfield..he was inspired for that fight and it would take a hell of a puncher to beat him...the likes of Foreman, Louis, Marciano and Lewis...and those guys only at their very best. For all the downgrading of Joe Frazier since then, remember how exceptional he was in beating Ali's ass as he did in '71. I think Frazier would have either won a clear decision or would have stopped Evander in the 13 or 14th.
I've got to say, I clicked onto this thread half expecting Frazier to get mullered for the billionth time in the h2h stakes by the overall majority. As it is, I'll do my best sheep impression and go along with the majority in thinking that he'd stifle Holyfield and outfight him to a decision (or maybe even a late attrition stoppage).
