'1972' ~ Did Smokin' Joe Frazier Get a Raw Deal

[Bill Paxtom]

Technically,

It wasn't Smokin' Joe's fault as to his '1972 Campaign'.

After Joe 'wiped the floor' with Cassius Clay in March 1971, he
needed some time off.

Joe had been training for the Clay fight since early-January 1971, and the
physical and mental stress took it's toll on the little guy.

And Joe wanted to enjoy the 'accolades' for a while, and he wanted to
tour with his 'Musical Revue'.

[Master]

Joe probably peaked against Ali and was never the same fighter again.

It happened to Nigel benn after the brutal fight with McClellan where he made some easy defences and money.

I think Foreman was also suppose to be an easy fight for him.

[Bill Paxtom]

At the end of 1971

The rumblings were,

That Smokin' Joe was looking to defend in early-1972 against;

* Former 2-Time Champion - Floyd Patterson
* Spaniard - Jose Manuel Urtain
* 'comebacking' - Oscar Bonavena.

[Master]

At the end of 1971

The rumblings were,

That Smokin' Joe was looking to defend in early-1972 against;

* Former 2-Time Champion - Floyd Patterson
* Spaniard - Jose Manuel Urtain
* 'comebacking' - Oscar Bonavena.

Those fights may have been too early and too hard after the fight with Ali. That was the biggest fight ever. Joe could have lost to any of them at that time.

[Bill Paxtom]

At the end of 1971

The rumblings were,

That Smokin' Joe was looking to defend in early-1972 against;

* Former 2-Time Champion - Floyd Patterson
* Spaniard - Jose Manuel Urtain
* 'comebacking' - Oscar Bonavena.

Those fights may have been too early and too hard after the fight with Ali. That was the biggest fight ever. Joe could have lost to any of them at that time.

Floyd Patterson

Was angling for a Championship bout in late-1971, but then opted out.

Floyd felt that Joe may have not recovered yet from the March 1971 Cassius Clay
bout.

Floyd thought it over, and decided to wait a few more months.

[Master]

At the end of 1971

The rumblings were,

That Smokin' Joe was looking to defend in early-1972 against;

* Former 2-Time Champion - Floyd Patterson
* Spaniard - Jose Manuel Urtain
* 'comebacking' - Oscar Bonavena.

Those fights may have been too early and too hard after the fight with Ali. That was the biggest fight ever. Joe could have lost to any of them at that time.

Floyd Patterson

Was angling for a Championship bout in late-1971, but then opted out.

Floyd felt that Joe may have not recovered yet from the March 1971 Cassius Clay
bout.

Floyd thought it over, and decided to wait a few more months.

He was too kind for his own good.

[Bill Paxtom]

Master

You don't think that 1972 Floyd Patterson could beat Smokin' Joe Frazier.

It might have gone 5 Rounds, tops.