Joe Frazier vs. Mike Tyson

Wanne15 · Aug 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM

AgingGator said: ↑

Few boxers in history would get up after the 0.28 mark of this clip. Ali was one of the few.

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Ali got crushed and just shook it off. Looked like smelling salts were coming.

GatorDoc74 · Aug 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM

I'm not sure who would have won the theoretical fight. But much of Tyson's advantage during his prime was his intimidation. Frazier would not have been intimidated.

Wanne15 · Aug 7, 2025 at 6:26 AM

GatorDoc74 said: ↑

I'm not sure who would have won the theoretical fight. But much of Tyson's advantage during his prime was his intimidation. Frazier would not have been intimidated.
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Intimida and fighting inferior fighters. He lost to every good fighter he ever fought. Rudduck and Bruno, thats his highlights.

AgingGator · Aug 7, 2025 at 9:32 AM

cocodrilo said: ↑

I think Tyson would have been too intimidating for Frazier. Frazier was already blind in one eye. He wouldn't want to come out of the fight with one ear.
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I don’t think Frazier was ever intimidated by anyone. He went 44 rounds with Ali when both were in their prime. Foreman was an absolute monster when they fought.

UF76JMH · Aug 7, 2025 at 10:08 AM

Tyson wins by an ear?

Nope, totally going with Smokin Joe!

reaves2alvarez · Aug 8, 2025 at 8:12 AM

gatormonk said: ↑

Who ya got?

I love Joe but I probably would have gone with Iron Mike.

According to Grok:

Prime Joe Frazier vs. prime Mike Tyson is a fascinating hypothetical matchup, as both were ferocious heavyweights with distinct styles. Let’s break it down:Joe Frazier (circa 1970-1973):

Strengths: Relentless pressure, devastating left hook, exceptional stamina, and durability. Frazier’s bob-and-weave style made him hard to hit cleanly, and he thrived in close-quarters brawls. His wins over Muhammad Ali (1971) and his ability to absorb punishment (e.g., against George Foreman) showcase his toughness.

Weaknesses: Susceptible to tall, rangy fighters with strong jabs (like Foreman). His style relied on taking punches to land his own, which could be risky against a power puncher like Tyson.

Mike Tyson (circa 1986-1989):

Strengths: Explosive power, blistering hand speed, and devastating combinations. Tyson’s peek-a-boo style, similar to Frazier’s, allowed him to close distance quickly and unleash ferocious punches. His ability to finish fights early (28 of his first 37 fights ended in the first three rounds) made him a terror.

Weaknesses: Less tested against elite pressure fighters like Frazier. His stamina in longer fights was questionable (e.g., struggles against Holyfield later), and he could be rattled by opponents who didn’t fear him.

Head-to-Head Analysis:

Style Clash: Both fighters used a similar crouching, forward-moving style, but Tyson’s speed and power gave him an edge in early exchanges. Frazier’s durability and relentless pace could wear Tyson down if the fight went past six rounds.

Power vs. Durability: Tyson’s knockout power is legendary, but Frazier took bombs from Foreman and Ali and kept coming. Frazier’s chin might hold up against Tyson’s onslaught, though Tyson’s precision could find openings.

Mental Edge: Tyson intimidated most opponents, but Frazier’s fearless mentality (he fought Ali three times without backing down) suggests he wouldn’t be psyched out.

Stamina: Frazier’s conditioning was elite; he could maintain pressure for 15 rounds. Tyson rarely went past 10 rounds in his prime, and his performance dipped in longer fights.

Best Two Out of Three:

Fight 1: Tyson’s speed and power likely overwhelm Frazier early, leading to a stoppage in rounds 3-5. Frazier’s aggressive style plays into Tyson’s hands before he can grind Tyson down.

Fight 2: Frazier adjusts, using his experience to survive the early storm. His relentless pressure and left hook start landing as Tyson tires, potentially leading to a late stoppage or decision win for Frazier (rounds 8-12).

Fight 3: The deciding fight hinges on Tyson’s ability to end it early vs. Frazier’s durability and pace. If Tyson lands clean, he could repeat Fight 1. However, Frazier’s ability to adapt (as seen in his Ali trilogy) and punish a fading Tyson gives him a slight edge in a grueling decision or late TKO.

Verdict: In a best-of-three series, Joe Frazier likely takes two out of three (winning Fight 2 and Fight 3). His durability, stamina, and ability to exploit Tyson’s later-round vulnerabilities outweigh Tyson’s early explosiveness over multiple fights. However, it’s razor-close, and Tyson could easily steal one or both with a knockout if Frazier’s defense slips.
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What a great thread! Thanks for doing this. Smokin’ Joe all the way in this one.

My favorite fighter of that era was Tommy Hearns. If he stays upright in the last round he beats Sugar Ray in that first fight and he got robbed in the rematch. Totally won on points.

Anyway what a great thread for us old guys who grew up with all of these fighters. Thanks!

“Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”

reaves2alvarez · Aug 8, 2025 at 8:15 AM

AgingGator said: ↑

Leonard vs. Hit Man was a great fight too.
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If Hitman stays upright in their first fight and outlasts the bell, he wins on points. Then in the rematch, Tommy got robbed. He totally won on points.

“Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”

Skink · Aug 8, 2025 at 8:23 AM

reaves2alvarez said: ↑

If Hitman stays upright in their first fight and outlasts the bell, he wins on points. Then in the rematch, Tommy got robbed. He totally won on points.

“Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”
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Leonard won more than one fight like that. The worst offense was taking Hagler’s belt after a fight where Hagler stalked Leonard the entire fight. All Leonard did the whole fight was duck and dodge Hagler’s punches. It was Hagler’s belt going into that fight - no way Leonard took it from him.

Hagler hung it up after that injustice. Smart

reaves2alvarez · Aug 8, 2025 at 8:50 AM

Skink said: ↑

Leonard won more than one fight like that. The worst offense was taking Hagler’s belt after a fight where Hagler stalked Leonard the entire fight. All Leonard did the whole fight was duck and dodge Hagler’s punches. It was Hagler’s belt going into that fight - no way Leonard took it from him.

Hagler hung it up after that injustice. Smart
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I think pound for pound Hagler might have been better than all of them.

“Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”

cocodrilo · Aug 8, 2025 at 9:51 AM

My favorite back then was Haystacks Calhoun. Oh, wait, he was a wrestler.

Wanne15 · Aug 8, 2025 at 6:13 PM

reaves2alvarez said: ↑

What a great thread! Thanks for doing this. Smokin’ Joe all the way in this one.

My favorite fighter of that era was Tommy Hearns. If he stays upright in the last round he beats Sugar Ray in that first fight and he got robbed in the rematch. Totally won on points.

Anyway what a great thread for us old guys who grew up with all of these fighters. Thanks!

“Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”
Click to expand...

he probably did win that second fight, but they were geriatrics at that point.

AgingGator · Aug 11, 2025 at 5:23 AM

reaves2alvarez said: ↑

If Hitman stays upright in their first fight and outlasts the bell, he wins on points. Then in the rematch, Tommy got robbed. He totally won on points.

“Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”
Click to expand...

I think that this is the reason Hearns didn’t just cruise in the last round of the first fight. He and his corner didn’t trust the judges. As skink said, Leonard won a lot of fights via preferential decisions, and the Hagler decision was the most egregious.

reaves2alvarez · Aug 11, 2025 at 10:19 AM

AgingGator said: ↑

I think that this is the reason Hearns didn’t just cruise in the last round of the first fight. He and his corner didn’t trust the judges. As skink said, Leonard won a lot of fights via preferential decisions, and the Hagler decision was the most egregious.
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Excellent point

“Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”

orangeblue_coop · Aug 12, 2025 at 2:54 AM

give me prime Iron Mike

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