Was Bert Cooper more similar too Joe Frazier than Marvis?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by drronnie, Sep 11, 2022.


  1. drronnie

    drronnie Member Full Member

    153
    95
    Oct 8, 2019
    Seeing Bert Cooper's fights he fought more like Joe Frazier than Marvis Frazier ever did.
     
  2. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

    15,929
    14,775
    Jun 9, 2007
    Absolutely he did.
    Marvis was trained to Box under George Benton. It wasn't until Joe fired George and tried to mold Marvis after himself which had poor results moving forward
     
  3. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,005
    4,839
    Jun 24, 2017
    What poor results? He lost only to 2 atgs in Holmes an Tyson an even Joe would have had a whole heap of trouble with those 2
     
    cross_trainer and Jackomano like this.
  4. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

    18,708
    19,858
    Jul 30, 2014
    I'm almost positive Frazier wouldn't have went out in 19 seconds against a green Tyson nor been knocked out in the first round against Holmes.
     
  5. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

    15,929
    14,775
    Jun 9, 2007
    It's how he lost Jack. Think about it for a second
     
    Journeyman92 likes this.
  6. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

    50,573
    23,972
    Jan 3, 2007
    Yes Bert’s style had some similarities to Frazier’s and I believe was even trained by him for a bit
     
    DS Phil Hunter likes this.
  7. HolDat

    HolDat Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,587
    2,739
    Sep 25, 2020
    Cooper had serious potential at the beginning of his career.
     
    ETM likes this.
  8. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,616
    11,442
    Mar 23, 2019
    Exactly. In fact, FOTC Frazier beats both Holmes and Iron Mike imo.
     
    Barm, Bonecrusher and swagdelfadeel like this.
  9. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    22,910
    25,650
    Jun 26, 2009
    A very high-profile boxing writer of the time (high profile within boxing circles, one of the top guys covering the sport) told me before Holyfield-Cooper that he had been pursuing a rumor for some time that Bert was Joe Frazier’s illegitimate son but had never been able to prove it with a reliable enough source to publish it.

    Take that for what it’s worth, but that apparently was something that was believed by some at the time.
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2023
  10. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

    18,118
    13,815
    Jun 30, 2005
    Might not have been the training that was at fault, but the management. Marvis's dad put him in against Holmes when Marvis was 10-0. I doubt Joe could have done much better at 10-0.
     
    Jackomano likes this.
  11. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,209
    6,884
    Nov 22, 2014
    This. Joe meant well, but like most inexperienced managers jumped the gun for a quick payday. It’s never a good idea to match even a decorated amateur with very little pro experience with a seasoned vet like Holmes. Marvis made a rookie mistake early in the fight and Holmes took full advantage.

    Also, Durham and Futch when they handled Joe never would’ve matched Joe as a 10-0 novice against a vet like Holmes. A young Joe almost got taken out early against Bonavena and Bonavena isn’t close to being the calculating and dangerous fighter that Holmes is.

    During Joe’s development Futch was heavily criticized for matching a 12-0 Joe with Eddie Machen, but Futch, who had been a trainer/manager, since before Joe was born knew what he was doing and was proven right.
     
    Flash24 likes this.
  12. Levook

    Levook Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,602
    3,043
    Aug 26, 2020
    Bert & Smokin Joe look absolutely nothing alike, to me. I know kids sometimes don't look like their parents, but there is zero resemblance.

    Shame how Marvis' career was handled. I met him once, great guy!
     
  13. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    10,811
    6,554
    Dec 10, 2014
  14. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

    13,160
    11,445
    Mar 19, 2012
    Yes Cooper was basically Joe Frazier without the work ethic and training. That raging drug addiction didn't help either. He was similar to Joe in his mentality. When Bert was sober he loved to fight and loved combat. He had firepower at heavyweight Marvis Frazier really didn't.

    Cooper never developed Frazier bobbing and weaving or his non stop attack because his dedication was lacking consistency.