oogiebe wrote: ↑06 May 2018, 22:04
SenorPipino wrote: ↑06 May 2018, 18:21
oogiebe wrote: ↑06 May 2018, 14:47
The other thing we have to remember is that Ali stole the spotlight on Frazier and practically ruined any chance of Frazier enjoying his reign. Joe was miserable after the FOTC. I believe more emotionally drained than physically. An interesting fact when you think about it.
Well Ali did pretty much eliminate the entire heavyweight division after the FOTC.
Meanwhile, after a 10 month sabbatical, Frazier defended twice against the dreaded Daniels and Stander, before being bounced around by Foreman.
The contenders that Ali beat up on were the same ones that Frazier decided to pass on, so how did he "steal the spotlight?"
I think he
earned the spotlight.
Ali gave the Ellis' the Mathis' the Pattersons' the Bugners' the Fosters' and the Quarrys' the big fight opportunity that Frazier denied them.
Ali's goal was to clean out the heavyweight division and force a reluctant Frazier to fight him in a rematch.
He accomplished that.
If Frazier was unable to enjoy his reign, then he has only himself to blame.
You're not getting me at all here. I'm saying WHILE FRAZIER WAS CHAMP, Ali stole the spotlight, which took away Frazier's spotlight DURING FRAZIER'S REIGN. There...that should make things clear. Thank you. Please tip your waitress.
I'm not tipping the waitress until you explain what stealing the spotlight from Frazier means.
Stealing makes it sound like Ali was unethical and undeserving, even if he did fight every 3 months against a slew of top 10 fighters.
Frazier was champion. He certainly had the opportunity to fight frequently after the FOTC, but he chose not to.
It seems that if Frazier was concerned about a spotlight, he would have increased his workload. Taken some high profile bouts instead of home television matchups with non-entities Daniels and Stander.
Got down to business and offered Ali a rematch. That's what fans clamored for.
Instead Frazier was content to do little. He wouldn't agree to a return bout with Ali until he had been humiliated by Foreman and needed to reestablish his credibility.
Ali had the "it" factor. Charisma. Fans were more interested in seeing him fight a Rudi Lubbers or a Jurgen Blin then they were in watching Frazier fight anybody.
But that's not stealing. The public spoke and Frazier came in a distant second.
Ali didn't need to apologize. He more than carried his weight to enliven a dormant division.
Frazier instead, dropped the ball.
Now I'll leave the tip if you pay the bill.