Would Frazier rank ahead of Marciano had he retired after beating Ali?

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Had Frazier retired following the fight of the century, he would have had a record conisisting of only 27 fights. What's more, there are many who would argue that Ali had only fought 2x within a near 4 year period, making this a somewhat tainted win. Frankly, I can't see Frazier walking away with more respect than Marciano with such a short career.

 

I rank Frazier ahead of Marciano.

 

I dont think so, Fraizer would have retire with only about half of the fights Marciano did. Of couse, it took longer for Marciano to climb the latter. (Reason Fraizer had a gold medal). So you may take that into accout.

 

He beat better fighters.

 

Outside of Ali, Fraizer didnt beat any one of note that compares to Walcott, Charles, and Archie Moore imo. Also thown in a old Louis.

 

Name recognition wise, no. Walcott, Moore, Louis and Charles had better legacies, but were starting to get up there in age. Frazier on the otherhand, beat prime versions of Ellis, Quarry, Bonavena, Mathis and Machen. Although, these men will never have the names that the other guys had, at least they were very good fighters at their best when Joe faced them.

 

And Louis Walcott, Charles and Moore were STILL the top dogs when Marciano got to em. Moore and Charles being rank number 1, and Walcott still being the champ. All 3 put on great showings against the Rock before Marciano mown them down. I belive Walcott, Moore and Charles are a level above EVEN when Marciano fought them, above Ellis, Quarry, Bonavena, Mathis and Machen. I belive Ellis is a bit over rated, outside of being blasted by Fraizer and Ali, and holding part of a alpha title, I cant think of anything worth wild about him. Bonavena is other guy I cant rank that high in contender ship. He would be forgoting today imo had he never enter the ring with Fraizer or Ali.

 

Thats a tough one, because Joe won the biggest heavyweight showdown ever.But Rockys over all record and legacy is superior.I like the Rock in this one, but it is close.

 

I switch Frazier and Marciano quite often, theres a good case for each to be greater. Frazier was a wonderous pressure fighter and a joy to watch. Bare in mind Frazier could probably have gone 49-0 against Marcianos competition.

Fraziers left hook is my personal favourate left hook in history. He was a little left hook happy, but what a left hook to be happy with

 

And he wasnt just a swarmer..

 

Not true.

Bonavena beat a lot of good fighters.

 

"Outside of Ali" isn't the reality. Frazier beat Ali in a classic fight. That's significant in his ranking.

I doubt you will agree but I think Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Ellis were of roughly the same quality as Walcott, Moore, Charles.

George Chuvalo, Oscar Bonavena, Joe Bugner, Buster Mathis, Bob Foster, old Eddie Machen - all this opposition can be picked apart but I think there's more depth in there than if you assessed Marciano's top 9 or 10 opponents.