Semi 1: Jack Dempsey vs Joe Frazier Semi 2: Rocky Marciano vs Jack Johnson Incidentally these are my number 12-15 on my HW list although I am reviewing it atm. Putting that to one side how do we see this tournament playing out and who will be the ultimate victor?
Same here. Rocky flattens Johnson. I would give Dempsey an edge over Frazier because he's more versatile, hits hard ( a problem for Frazier ) and has good foot speed. But Dempsey better not let Frazier hang around because he wasn't a long-term stamina type, and Frazier most certainly was. So its comes down to an epic fantasy fight between Dempsey and Marciano, and I go back and forth on that one!
Hard to say, I'd pick Dempsey to beat Frazier in a war that goes into the 10-12 round range. Marciano stops Johnson late after being outboxed for most of the fight and behind on the cards Dempsey catches Marciano between the 7-9th round and stops him, in an absolute war reminiscent of Dempsey/Frazier.
My tentative pick would be Frazier to win it all...if your taking prime versions for each match-up. In reality,Frazier and Dempsey would probably use each other up, and the winner would come from the Marciano/Johnson bracket.
Dempsey destroys The one armed Frazier within five rounds. Inside Dempsey dominates with his shorter two handed punching. Johnson out points Marciano in a one sided bout. Johnson outpoints Dempsey with Dempsey scoring a KD or two along the way. Johnson was a tough man to beat inside.
A short version: What good puncher did Frazier beat? Bonavena ( likely the 2d best puncher Frazier fought ) nearly KO'd Frazier and Fraizer agrees. Dempsey is much faster and hits harder than Bonavena. Joe was stunned or floored quite a bit in a short ring career.