Would Joe Frazier Size Have Hindered Him, If He'd Come Along After The 1980s?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, May 13, 2024.


  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    27,381
    32,492
    Jan 8, 2017
    So if Joe had hit prime any time after the 1980 s, do you think his size affects his success against the bigger men coming along?
     
  2. Ioakeim Tzortzakis

    Ioakeim Tzortzakis Active Member Full Member

    1,456
    4,859
    Aug 27, 2020
    He would still be a very active threat. The 90's would probably treat him the worst with genuinely good big guys like Bowe and Lewis around, and Tyson and Holyfield are never to be understimated either.

    The Klitschkos would be a problem in the 2000's, but he could potentially beat both of them, though I'd say he probably beats Vitali and loses to Wlad.

    He cleans house in the 2010's and 2020.
     
  3. Ney

    Ney Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,181
    10,574
    Feb 13, 2024
    Hard to answer in a single, definitive way - in the sense that Bowe & Lewis were two big men of the age that would seriously threaten Frazier (not sure I’d favour them but they’re at least a major chance), but they’re probably the only two whose size could work in step with their ability to beat him (no, prime Frazier isn’t losing to 90’s Foreman).

    Holyfield is neither too big or too good for Frazier, & the Tyson of the 90’s I would also expect to be outclassed by prime Frazier (peak Tyson, perhaps a different story, but that wouldn’t be about size if so).
     
    Dorrian_Grey, Kid Bacon and Fergy like this.
  4. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,810
    5,674
    Sep 19, 2021
    He fights at cruiser. I just don't see how he could handle the big guys who are actually good, like Lewis, Bowe, the Klits, etc.
     
    TipNom, Niels Probst and Hotep Kemba like this.
  5. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,775
    3,042
    Nov 26, 2020
    He'd do better than a lot of people probably think but there would eventually come a point where heart and toughness and work rate would lose out to the sheer physical liabilities and the stylistic nightmares a la Foreman. Best I can do for you.
     
  6. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

    56,080
    73,219
    Aug 21, 2012
    Not at all, I can totally see a 205lb swarmer running through Holmes, Lewis, Golota, Bowe, Foreman, Morrison, both Klitschkos and all the rest of those bums. Tyson and Holyfield got indigestion from the very thought. Rahman, Povetkin and Sanders used to wake up with the cold sweats from their nightmares of facing down Frazier. That's to say nothing of AJ, Zhang, Joyce, Fury and Wilder who all routinely thank their lucky stars that they don't have a 205lb swarmer running riot through heavyweight. Lucky escape for the heavyweight division, I say.
     
  7. Ney

    Ney Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,181
    10,574
    Feb 13, 2024
    He would certainly beat the Lewis of the early 90’s, in my book. That Lewis was clumsy & inexperienced & wouldn’t fare well - maybe late 90’s Lewis takes him but that’s a debatable one I think. Beyond Bowe (who was in his prime in the early 90’s), who does Frazier really have to worry about?
     
  8. BoxingFan2002

    BoxingFan2002 Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,693
    492
    Feb 11, 2024
    FOTC Frazier would beat every fighter in the 90s except maybe Lennox Lewis.
    Tyson and Holyfield would be both good fights but Frazier would beat them.
     
  9. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

    5,783
    6,957
    Dec 18, 2022
    It would’ve shortened his career considerably, but he did have success at bulling 243 pound Buster Mathis who I find underrated.

    He probably holds his own against most, while losing to the very best like giants like Lennox and the Klits
     
    cross_trainer likes this.
  10. Ney

    Ney Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,181
    10,574
    Feb 13, 2024
    Let them under-estimate him. Frazier will relish their disdain.
     
    Dorrian_Grey likes this.
  11. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo Loyal Member Full Member

    49,911
    22,331
    Jan 3, 2007
    Depending on specifically who he was matched against, what their styles were like and how much size they had on him it might have put him at a disadvantage. Lennox Lewis for example would have been a terrible fight for Frazier to take in my opinion. Lennox wasn’t particularly vulnerable to left hooks despite facing many who threw good ones. He also would have had a lot of size and power over Joe
     
  12. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,482
    1,951
    Jan 6, 2024
    Fraziers career was barely 200 rounds. Theres not much room to shorten it.

    Yes people forget Buster Mathis won the aborted Super Heavyweight championship of the world.
     
  13. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

    5,783
    6,957
    Dec 18, 2022
    It would get shortened regardless, fighting giants as a 200 pounder with such a physical style would probably **** Frazier’s body up.
     
  14. themaster458

    themaster458 Active Member Full Member

    1,218
    1,038
    May 17, 2022
    Yes Joe was 202-209 at his best which would make him tiny compared to pretty much all modern heavyweights where even small heavyweights these days are at least 220-230. He would def be at the top but I feel like he's just too small to do anything against large fighters who hit hard. Even at his best performances he took plenty of damage but none of the guys hit him hard enough to stop him but I don't think his chin holds up against modern heavyweights punchers so while he can beat some light punching ones I think the big guys would be too much for him. However, I think if he trims down and goes to cruiserweight he would be a menace.
     
    shottylad, mcvey, BCS8 and 1 other person like this.
  15. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,775
    3,042
    Nov 26, 2020
    Joe Frazier was absolutely great and he would die trying against some of the pituitary cases, but again you reach the point where heart and will simply cannot trump insurmountable physical limitations, mic drop.