There is no evidence to indicate anything else-yours in an opinion-like mine-the only difference being is that as in this case your opinion would be wrong.[/quote]
He was not fit. You also forgot to mention he was fat, and untrained. I don't know if my opinion is right or wrong about the outcome of the fight and probably will never know. But I know for a fact Frazier was never the same after the FOTC. Start a poll. "Was Frazier prime in 1973?"[/quote]
He WASNT fat. He was 214 and had been higher than that in previous fights. So only 9lbs above his best weight of around 205 Reports from his camp prior to the fight report he was training well, and was confident.
Because someone trained badly or was over confident does not make them past it. He was in good form after the so called FOTC. I think the Foreman fight destroyed his confidence and maybe not the same after that loss, but he would have been on a high after the Ali win.
You DONT know for a fact Frazier was never the same. In YOUR opinion he was never the same and this is a very different thing. As REXOB says wisely " I guess we will never know"[/quote]
The Frazier that fought Foreman in `73 had slipped about 20-25%. As already noted he had lost his drive and focus on boxing. Joe had started a singing band and was enjoying life outside of boxing a little more. His managers and family were in his ear about retiring as undefeated Heavyweight Champion after beating Ali. That coudnt have helped.
With that he gained some weight and Joe also underestimated Foreman as well. Nobody really knew just what a powerhouse George Foreman was until after that fight.
After he lost his title Joe Frazier did come close to regaining his form. It took awhile. By `74 had looked really good agiainst Quarry, Ellis and then Ali in Manila. He almost won the title back.
Even with all that Joe Frazier`s style was never suited for longevity. He burned brightly though when he was on.
Rexob was referring to the peak foreman vs peak frazier fight.
He just lost all his motivation. That Frazier was definitely overweight. If you can't see the difference between a 1973 Frazier and The Fotc Frazier, I simply don't know where to begin.[/quote]
So if I understand you Frazier was 25% past his best after Ali, but zomehow after getting KO'd by Foreman he managed to get to nearly back to his best-perhaps only 10% or maybe 12.5% past his prime?....what is he? a rechargeable battery?
He was lighter against Foreman than he was against Stander and Daniels and only 9lbs heavier than when he fought Ali, and 5lbs heavier than when he fought against foster-so fat? I dont think so.