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How many times would they have to fight before Frazier finds a way to get to Foreman, and is this presumably 100% impossible given the outcome of their 2 fights? Frazier did manage to last into the 5th round I think, much much better than their 1st encounter in Kingston, Jamaica. Could Joe have found a way to take it a few rounds more until George burnt up all his fuel? Or what else could he have tried?
I thought Frazier was on to something in the 2nd fight; Big George was starting to look a little tired and punch slower when he caught Frazier with that left hook that was the beginning of the end. But I think age and ring wear weren't necessarily catching up to Frazier--theyhad a firm grip on him by then, and it really wasn't in his nature to fight a measured fight.
He was, overall, a better fighter than Foreman, he just couldn't beat him.
George admits himself that if Joe had landed the a left hook he threw in the first fight, things could have been different. George said it was like a bullet flying past his ear, but Geroge was so much bigger than Joe. The size, the weight, poor Joe did not stand a chance, it was not even a fair fight.
Simply put TIMING...if Frazier landed he would have hurt Big George. The problem with Frazier is he was kind of like Golota in that it took him a few rounds to really effectively get his strategy going (though unlike Golota, Joe Frazier was mentally tough and a great boxer)
I think that was as bad a style matchup as I have ever seen for a great fighter. Joe was supremely one dimensional. He bobbed and weaved and attacked. It is all he could do and he did it savagely and skillfully. The problem is the antidote for that style is being tall with a powerful uppercut. Well Big George had that and an awfully good chin.
Frazier's chance was to take the fight long but how the heck does his style make THAT happen?
Frazier would need to become Thor and bring that hammer to beat big George!
;D
A shotgun. Maybe.
On a DVD I have (I think it was Champions Forever though I could be mixed up) George says about the first fight that he heard the left hook come whizzing past his face and knew he had to get rid of Joe quickly after that. Now had this punch landed on George and ultimately KO'd him the whole landscape and history of the HW division could have been changed. For me though that is Joe's only chance vs George, to land a big shot early. Joe was Tailor made for George and if they fought 100 times I'd struggle to see Frazier winning many and any that he did would have to be 1 punch KO's which isn't an easy thing to do to Big George.
Big George has ALWAYS been extremely kind and respectful in his comments about Frazier. He says things like you noted and other times he he said he knew Frazier would struggle to quickly reach the same peak he had against Ali and so George took him before he could. In short he acknowledges that he never beat the very best Frazier.Quote:
Originally Posted by rjj tszyu
I often wonder if that's how George genuinely feels or if he is just being the classy man he has become.
I agree he is classy. But Joe's power had to be respected too. I'd love to put a prime Foreman in todays division, I would guarantee carnage.Quote:
Originally Posted by marbleheadmauiBig George has ALWAYS been extremely kind and respectful in his comments about Frazier. He says things like you noted and other times he he said he knew Frazier would struggle to quickly reach the same peak he had against Ali and so George took him before he could. In short he acknowledges that he never beat the very best Frazier.Quote:
Originally Posted by rjj tszyu
I often wonder if that's how George genuinely feels or if he is just being the classy man he has become.
Hell I don't even know if prime Frazier can beat the Foreman that fought Holyfield or Moorer. It's just Joe's style was tailor made for Foreman.
I agree. 1991 Foreman still smokes 1971 Frazier.
Frazier would've had to buy a gun and aim from a very safe place.
I think that's true in almost every heavy era. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by rjj tszyuI agree he is classy. But Joe's power had to be respected too. I'd love to put a prime Foreman in todays division, I would guarantee carnage.Quote:
Originally Posted by marbleheadmauiBig George has ALWAYS been extremely kind and respectful in his comments about Frazier. He says things like you noted and other times he he said he knew Frazier would struggle to quickly reach the same peak he had against Ali and so George took him before he could. In short he acknowledges that he never beat the very best Frazier.Quote:
Originally Posted by rjj tszyu
I often wonder if that's how George genuinely feels or if he is just being the classy man he has become.