Why did Foreman find turning Frazier into mincemeat so easy?

Frazier was the undefeated, undisputed heavyweight champion that just cleaned through the division.

Foreman had everything to be afraid of.

 

In Joe's words: "God gave him too much power."
Frazier's style wasn't good against the 6'3 1/2 or 6'4 George Foreman. Their second fight was better for Joe until round 5 when he was raped hard.
I do think George is higher up on the ATG list.

 

On the whole, Frazier does better with boxers than does Foreman, but Foreman does better with punchers than does Frazier.

 

Foreman also said some of the guys he fought in Houston's 5th Ward were more scarier than anyone he fought as a pro.....and he was probably right.

 

Frazier was at his best the night of March 8, 1971 against Ali in the FOTC in NYC. He left everything he had in the ring that night...he didn't fight again until early 1972...Joe was never the fighter he was on that night...and he was on his way down them night he lost to Foreman in Jan. 1973...

 

People talk about Joe doing so much better in the rematch...


Its important to remember he lost every round. He fought a much more defensive, tactical fight, and was still unable to outscore or damage Foreman.

Frazier, with his attributes, skills, and style, at some point needs to come in a do real damage; Big hooks to the body and the head. He has to wear his opponent out, beat him up, and drown him. He was a master at it.


Foreman is his absolute historical nightmare match-up. The one guy in heavyweight history who brings everything you'd conceivably need to beat Joe Frazier and combines it. He was bigger, meaner, stronger, had an iron jaw, hit like a howitzer with either hand, and brought his biggest shots in uppercuts and hooks, which Frazier can't slip. Joe's defense never did well avoiding angled shots. When and if Joe decided to get distance and try to box, Foreman had the longer reach, a very good jab, and serviceable speed of hand.


Just a nightmare match-up. It summarize to, Foreman had the power to keep Joe off, the perfect way to land it, and the tools to outpoint him at range like Ali did in the rematch and the Thrilla.

 

i just really find the whole idea preposterous and inexcusable. How could Foreman be so ignorant to the power he possessed? How were there not any people close to him able to point out he stylistic advantages he held that emphatically played out? At what point did he cease being petrified before demoting the undefeated champion to ragdoll status.

 

Because boxing is the ultimate game of rock, paper, scissors.

 

Get this straight...that's just feel-good bull**** from the humble old George Foreman...the young George Foreman was "petrified" of no one!!

 

I agree with those that say the way he fought in the rematch was a much better suited game-plan, but far too late. He was catching Foreman a good few times, despite the fact punching upwards diminished some of his power, but his defense upon entry and patience in precision is what could have won him the fight earlier on. It would have always been a challenge avoiding the size, strength, and reach advantages, though.

 

Exactly what I've been saying all along Mongoose. Well done.

Just to add one thing. In the interviews prior to the Jamaica title defense, Futch was very worried about the training camp. Too much partying, singing and making his band more of a priority than defending against Foreman. You are right, Joe didn't respect Foreman as a threat to his title. He just considered him a but a big, strong yet slow, young ambitious kid with little fighting experience. Norton getting the best of the sparring sessions against a disinterested Frazier should have been fair warning too. The only thing Joe brought to the fight in Jamaica besides himself was his heart. Who else gets up six times against a puncher like Foreman.

 

Archie Moore and Dick Saddler had to boost Foreman's confidence going into the 73 Jamaica fight. All Foreman could think about weeks up to the fight was no escaping Frazier after watching him beat Ali in the FOTC. Foreman said that Frazier was the only fighter besides Ken Norton who truly scared him.

In the rematch in Uniondale 76, it took Joe Louis to boost George's confidence, calling him up before the fight and convincing him that Frazier at that stage in his career was nothing more than a tune-up.

George didn't consider Frazier a "scenic rest stop" if you read his book and what he said in his first title reign.

 

I dont really buy that. I think Frazier was always too small for Foreman with that fighting style. The things that we knew Foreman was going to do were terrible for Frazier and his style. Frazier would have never been able to be competitive with Foreman. You cant use Ali as a comparison for anything when discussing these two.