Prime Frazier 1969-1971 vs Prime Foreman 1973

I think the key is for Frazier to get past the early rounds and to get inside and work the body and stay out of George's range, that being said the best weapon against George was the right hand and Frazier had everything coming from the left side and the right hand was a bit more than an ornament

body work then head and get some rounds under his belt if he is still standing after 5-7 rounds his chances increase and Foreman's diminish

 

Prime Foreman KO Prime Frazier.

It's just the styles of each fighter. I can't see anything in their fight nearest their primes (in 1973) that can tell me that there is anything that Frazier can do to win. Sorry, in 10 fights, I'd say Foreman KOs Frazier 10 times.

 

Frazier did look a little blubbery in that fight but I dont know

I think Frazier-Foreman 71 goes in Joe's favor

 

Dang, I'm in agreement with the Rooster, that's going to make my day way off kilter.

 

I'm of the same line of thinking. 10/10.

 

If the prime 71 Frazier, can get past the first 6 rounds he has an excellent chance of winning, he had better stamina than Foreman, and George has a pretty solid chance of getting frustrated if he can't get him out early, but there's always a chance of George landing a bomb and getting Joe out of there early...

Tough 50-50 call, it's a very competitive match...

the 71 Frazier would have been very tough for any heavyweight in history to beat...

 

I agree with your last statement. But the same could be said for prime Foreman, and we saw how easily George destroyed Joe both times they met.

How Joe get past those first 6 rounds is the tricky part.

 

I've probably seen more consideration for Joe in those first eight posts than I have anywhere else. The pudgy incarnation of '73 was obviously missing that spark, but surely victory boils down to, not just what tactics he chooses to apply, but if he would be able to.

Generally Frazier enjoyed butting your chest with his head, right into Foreman's kill-zone. It's not out of the realms of possibility, but, knowing how Joe fought, I can't muse a route to victory without scrunching my face.

 

Foreman had the physicality, power and height to deal with any version of Joe Frazier...and Frazier is one of my favorite fighters. Foreman is bad news to any swarming style heavyweight you care to mention...

 

While its true that Joe Frazier was in much better form around 1970 than he was in 1973, I don't think the styles match up would ever favor him. In addition to being in top shape, Frazier would also need a fight plan similar to the one he employed in his rematch against George in 1976. If we combine the two elements of 1. being in better form and 2. having a more appropriate strategy, then he could potentially have given Foreman a good fight, perhaps even won it. But having those two components in alignment wasn't likely to ever happen.

 

Same result as Kingston, seven days a week,4 weeks a month, 12 months a year .

Frazier was 8.5lbs heavier, not 10.

Foreman didn't have a good heavy jab in 73?

 

I feel Foreman would always be a nightmare match up for Frazier.I would give the Frazier who beat Ali a great chance against almost any heavyweight out there aside from Foreman. Frazier was the kinda fighter who'd be happy to take you're best punches to give his but Foreman's barrage was to much for Frazier or anyone to come forward into. Frazier's only chance would be if he was able to survive the early rounds and get to Foreman's body enough and make Foreman miss enough to wear him out or hope that Foreman wears himself out by not pacing himself then Frazier would have a chance to take out Foreman with his relentless attack. But I still would expect an early knock out for Foreman against Frazier even on his best day.

 

Frazier - with that style - could never beat George, not even '90's George. One of Joe's biggest problems was a complete ignorance of survival tactics like holding on when hurt. He never had to learn this craft because he was usually too much physically for the other guy.

But here, he's facing a flawed but incredibly powerful, rangier fighter who for some reason could barely miss him when they fought.
I see some seem to feel that if he could survive thew early onslaught then Joe could come on late.
Look at the terrific punishment he took in less than two rounds. Now, how is he going to take another four rounds of that before he can even start to become a force himself?

 

I agree totally. Frazier was made to order for Foreman. Frazier would never beat a Foreman. Similar to Patterson vs Liston.