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

[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.

[Master]

Master

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

It might have gone 5 Rounds, tops.

No on the contrary I believe Patterson may have won. I said he was too kind to Joe by not taking the offer of fighting Joe.

[p4pking]

Patterson-Frazier could have been a terrific war, two small HW's with lots of heart, reckless abandon and big left hooks. I'd say Patterson was actually the better fighter at a time but pretty well past it by when Frazier was champ, and he couldn't take the same punishment.