There were two things at work during Ali-Frazier II.
1. Ali was thoroughly embarrassed by how easily Foreman handled Frazier and was determined not to be shown up by the skill-less amateur. Below you can see the absolute disgust on his face as he is forced to call the Frazier-Foreman fight. If I was alive back then I wouldve put money on Ali just off the strength of this segment alone:
2. Fraziers aura of invincibility was gone and I think he lost a lot confidence after the Foreman loss. Frazier at that time had defeated the man that most thought couldnt be beaten. Rocky Marciano died with the image of an undefeated Ali being proclaimed as the greatest boxer ever. And then Frazier comes in like a hero and finally knocks the ****y, brash Ali down to size.
Then all of that prestige Frazier built up, evaporated in under 10 minutes when he faced George. How can anyone say that Frazier was the same man after that fight?
So my question is, do you think Frazier wouldve beaten Ali in the rematch if Foreman never existed?
1. Ali was thoroughly embarrassed by how easily Foreman handled Frazier and was determined not to be shown up by the skill-less amateur. Below you can see the absolute disgust on his face as he is forced to call the Frazier-Foreman fight. If I was alive back then I wouldve put money on Ali just off the strength of this segment alone:
2. Fraziers aura of invincibility was gone and I think he lost a lot confidence after the Foreman loss. Frazier at that time had defeated the man that most thought couldnt be beaten. Rocky Marciano died with the image of an undefeated Ali being proclaimed as the greatest boxer ever. And then Frazier comes in like a hero and finally knocks the ****y, brash Ali down to size.
Then all of that prestige Frazier built up, evaporated in under 10 minutes when he faced George. How can anyone say that Frazier was the same man after that fight?
So my question is, do you think Frazier wouldve beaten Ali in the rematch if Foreman never existed?
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