Another Smokin' Joe matchup - this time vs probably, IMO, the best heavyweight of the 1990s - Big Len. Does Frazier, never taking a backward step finally get to Lewis mid-rounds and is able to use his relentless, inside pressure in the way that other similar-height guys (Mercer, Tua, Tyson, could not) Does Lewis, with a massive height, reach and weight advantage just use the jab and crushing uppercut to these guys coming in? 'Nuff respect. Big up me respec, ya bumba ras claaat...
I think the biggest Frazier ever fought was Buster Matthis at 6'3 / 245...but add that to someone with natural power though, and you've got 'The Sunshine Showdown', all over again... athetic:
It is funny how styles make fights because this is a great example. Joe has a puncher's chance, no doubt. But he is going to have a terrible time getting inside and staying inside to land effective shots with Lewis who clinches and pushes back. I think Lennox mid to late rounds gets him outta there because Joe will keep coming unlike Tua.
I don't think Lewis would have been as carefree and let the shots go as Foreman did when fighting Frazier...cos whoever you are, that's just Lewis' style. 6-7 Rds, max
I dunno if "too good" is the right choice of words. Frazier handed one of the greatest fighters of all time his first loss. Lewis is simply too big, and too powerful for Frazier. And Frazier was a sucker for right uppercuts - Lewis' money punch.
No, Lewis far too big. If Lewis turns in a show like the one he did vs Briggs he might just get brutally fucked up. Lewis had very little left at the end of that one and had been rocked by a hook that sent him skittling into the ropes. But Lewis is just too big, over all. And Frazier could never handle that blend of size and power. Strong boys like Bonavena dropped him.
Interesting you say this....but Buster Mathis was 'big' for back-in-the-day....so, in this case, does size matter? :dunno: Remember, back in 1972, Frazier gave Ali the brush-off to face Foreman. Who the fuck does that now?
This is like saying Ali wasn't better than Chuvalo, he was just too fast. Or Foreman wasn't better than Frazier but just far too strong. This is also a bad styles match up for Joe but Lennox was a class above him
As everybody knows though, size alone doesn't help a thing (Dempsey-Willard, Louis-Carnera etc.) What can help is strength, power and reach if they are combined to enough skill. Just like speed, stamina, heart, chin. They only help if you can box. Lewis had enough physical attributes in addition to his skill to be a better fighter than Frazier. Think it his way: would Lewis have trouble with anybody Frazier fought? IMO no, apart of Foreman, who spanked Joe. Lewis would have beaten the 70s version of Ali, as well as Bonavena, Quarry etc. Frazier on the other hand would have his hands full with several of Lewis' opponents. Thus, Lewis was simply the better fighter
No...you misunderstand me (and that's MY fault, because I didn't expand on my thought) P4P...Lewis' style doesn't give him an advantage over Frazier. That's my point. Lennox didn't throw many punches, wasn't that fast and wasn't terribly elusive either....Lennox, talent wise is superior to Frazier but because of his style this wouldn't matter much if Joe were closer to his size. It's his sheer height, size and reach that would prove too problematic to Joe.
The uppercut is the key punch here. It was one of Lennox's money punches and the one punch Joe was a sucker for. Joe could conievably win - Lennox would have hella trouble keeping Joe off him - but the size difference would be massive and Lennox would look for that right uppercut all night. If he lands it enough, he'd win. MTF
LL would not have beaten 70's Ali. Definately not a well prepared/ trained early-mid 70's version The key would be Ali's footwork & overall "unknockoutability"
word. i don't see LL beating the Ali of the early 70s. Not enough punches thrown and he can't expect to knock Ali out. IMO...Lewis-Mercer and Lewis-Holyfield 1 & 2 are evidence that he wouldn't have beaten 70s Ali.
You know, I've been re-watching some of Foreman's fights from 1973-74 and in all seriousness, he's a shit boxer. Someone like Lewis, size/power/skillz would go through this cunt like a knife thru butter...
I think Ali's struggles with Norton (who was a bit better in coming forwards but otherwise had nothing over LL) and eleven close rounds against crude Ron Lyle are more than enough to prove that Lennox has at least a legit chance
Lewis can beat Ali up and Ali can survive but every odd cross that Ali lands clean has a serious chance to get Lewis in trouble and I don't think he survives trouble against Ali too many times.
