BoxRec

If Foreman had retired after the Ali lose leaving the field clear for Joe Frazier to fight Ron Lyle to earn a shot at Ali's World Title who would have won?

Did the 1976 version of Frazier have enough left to outwork Ron Lyle? Was big Ron just too strong and fresh at this point in Smokin' Joes career?

What do you think fight fans?

edit

Yeah, you'd have to figure the Lyle of the Foreman fight was hungry and aggressive enough to stop a shot Joe who really should have been in retirement.

At this stage of Frazier's career I believe Lyle would have beaten him

I tghink this is a bad mathc for that version of Frazier. Lyle was big, somewhat awkward and powerful. Frazier was a good body puncher and a hard worker at any stage of his career, yet by this time he was also prone to eating alot of punches and lost some slickness.

I think Frazier wins a very close and disputed decsion. I dont think Lyle would do a Foreman and push Frazier off him to launch tose broadisdes. Instead I see Lyle trying to box, being wary of the hook, and at times trading with Frazier.

Just my thoughts.


Kym

Not a blowout like Foreman, but in 76 I see Lyle winning a decision vs Frazier, maybe knocking him down a couple of times in the process.