Why did Frazier fight Foreman twice?

A forum search should result in several good theories. Mine is that the timelines didn't work out, between Foreman's inactivity and Ali's schedule. By the time Foreman was winning again Ali was booked for Norton III. By the time Ali had his schedule open, Foreman had lost to Young. Too bad all involved didn't make a Spring '75 rematch happen.

Re: the original post - Foreman fought Gregorio Peralta twice.

 

Everybody already knew the type of man he was, and he went to his grave knowing fans the world over revered and honored him for having testicles even bigger than his hook and heart.

"If Joe wins, he's got another title shot!"-Muhammad Ali

As hellish as Manila was for both, Frazier was talking about going for a fourth time during his post fight press conference. Muhammad was willing to oblige for the opponent he respected most. (Ali's wife says Joe's death has really taken a toll on Muhammad since, as a deep bond was lost.) Arthritis and high blood pressure were breaking Frazier's body down, so the window for Ali-Frazier IV was closing fast. Beating Foreman was the one way nobody would question a quickly granted third rematch. Joe was only able to go twice a year with his style, training and physical deterioration, so Ali-Frazier IV would have had to happen in early 1977.

Defeating George by somehow extending him, Joe might still have had enough late round power in his left hook to pull off a stoppage win out of an insurmountable scoring deficit, as Leotis Martin had once done to Sonny Liston. He'd have redemption for his most ignominious defeat, and a final massive payday for Ali IV in what I think probably would have been an anti-climactic win for the reigning champion.

Could the pre FOTC Frazier of 1969 have beaten Foreman in a rematch, before his health issues and weight increase caught up with him. Foreman-Frazier II offers me enough to raise some questions about the assumption that Joe NEVER could have beaten George. Chuvalo demonstrates he was always capable of moving and side stepping with angles on a physically stronger opponent when young, and he had the late round power to do damage to a gassed Foreman.

 

Frazier saw Ali play mind games with Foreman that worked so Joe walked into the ring with a shaved head. Frazier saw how quickly Ali tired out Foreman and he felt he could do the same. Problem for Joe was Ali could take it like to other to the body. You can see Foremans body blows nearly breaking Frazier in half in fight two. Fight two was a horrific gradual beat down over a bit less than five rounds. At that time Clancy had purposefully slowed George down and this possibly more than anything saved Joe from another early distruction.

 

I'll beg to differ.

 

There could have been an Ali - Frazier IV in 1981 when both past it

Amazingly both boxers fought their last fight within one week of each other in December 1981

 

Foreman wouldnt have beaten Ali in a re-match as he wouldnt have KOd him nor would he have had the stamina or skill to outpoint him over 15 rounds

 

Ali didn't want to fight him again. I think Foreman would have beat a post-Thrilla Ali, but I wouldn't have bet on it. Foreman beat Lyle in a war (KO5), Frazier in a rematch (KO5), LeDoux KO3, J.D. Denis KO4, and Agosto KO4 before losing to Young in 1977. He also beat 5 men in one day in 1975, 3 by KO. These bouts were 3 round exhibitions and are not reflected on Foreman's 76-5 (68byKO) record.

 

I guess he wanted a final payday before retiring.

 

I think George was the type of fighter that was all wrong for Frazier. But it would've been interesting to see how a younger version of Frazier would've done against George, say the '71 version that fought Ali. That Frazier had his legs and better reflexes and was overall faster and could've given a much better accounting of himself. If he was able to survive George's early onslaught and drag Foreman into the later rounds who can say for certain what would've/could've happened?

 

Why did Frazier fight Foreman twice?

For the money.

 

Your first guess is the right one.

Ali was afraid Foreman would beat him.

 

What statements are you referencing?

 

Ali was not afraid of anyone.

 

Truth be known, I'll bet Ali was thinking "Thank God for Jimmy Young"...

 

Foreman says that Ali told him he wanted some "money fights" before he gave Foreman a rematch.
I don't know if that constitutes being afraid, but I think it means Ali wasn't certain he could beat Foreman. He wanted some title defense paydays before he tried Foreman again.
There's nothing wrong with that- it's just common sense.