If Smokin' Joe was a boxer today, how would he be received on this forum?

[Guest]

I notice a lot of resistance to real "nuts and bolts" come forward fighters on here (eg. Glen Johnson, Ricky Hatton...) and I'm wondering how would the great Smokin' Joe be received if he were starting out today?

[SugaShane]

Anorak, people hate on Hatton because hes A)White and B)From the UK and C)Haven't seen any of his fights except the Zoo and maybe the Maussa one. Forget the idiots that saw "Mayweather pwnzzzz azzz KO 1". They fools....

[czars_salad]

definitely much appreciated considering the weakness of the heavyweight division. a fighter in frazier will surely light up the dull division.

[RiverCityMike]

Probably not well. Like you said Hatton or Johnson get no props here except when there is politics involved (like usually the Mayweather haters and limeys go for Hatton). But then again,I see a lot of love for Lacey on here and I guess he's nuts and bolts except that the nuts don't fit the bolts, because he's got no fundamentals. Hard to say.

[Guest]

Probably not well. Like you said Hatton or Johnson get no props here except when there is politics involved (like usually the Mayweather haters and limeys go for Hatton). But then again,I see a lot of love for Lacey on here and I guess he's nuts and bolts except that the nuts don't fit the bolts, because he's got no fundamentals. Hard to say.

I can see Lacy fitting that, though he does use the jab a bit and he has considerably power which places the excitement higher. Neither Glen Johnson or Hatton are traditionally one-punch KO artists.

SS - I take your points, good call.

[Kimmy]

Frazier would be loved but in todays context he would be too small to be a major player at heavyweight, especially with his one dimensional style. i think he could dominate at crusierweight though.
Also, i think allot of people are pissed at hatton because his style has allot of flaws ( defence, frequent cuts etc. ) and against the great tsyzu they weren't exposed. There is a word i shouldn't say but...oh what the hell, JEALOUSLY!

[blichtie]

definitely much appreciated considering the weakness of the heavyweight division. a fighter in frazier will surely light up the dull division.

I'm not sure the heavyweight division is all that weak. There are some fighters but promoters are doing an injustice here. And besides that everytime we get ready to watch a heavyweight fight something comes up at the last minute. I do agree smokin joe would bring some flare to the division. He would definately give everyone something to talk about positively or negatively.

[Kimmy]

I'm not sure the heavyweight division is all that weak. There are some fighters but promoters are doing an injustice here. And besides that everytime we get ready to watch a heavyweight fight something comes up at the last minute. I do agree smokin joe would bring some flare to the division. He would definately give everyone something to talk about positively or negatively.

I think it is weak. The reason is that every contender with the exception of James Toney possibly has serious flaws.
Take Rahman, he blows hot and cold so much he has never beaten two top twenty heavyweights on the bounce.
Wlad has serious chin issues.
Ruiz......without Don King in his corner the guy would have retired years ago.
Byrd is very skilled but too small in general to beat big guys consisantly.
The division is maybe not so much weak but devoid of dominant characters that would spark the interest needed to excite the fans.

[.::EnRiQuE::.]

he would prolly be recieved as a samuel peter type fighter....one who only relies on power, but then again the HW division is so krappy he could domintate........idk

[blichtie]

I think it is weak. The reason is that every contender with the exception of James Toney possibly has serious flaws.
Take Rahman, he blows hot and cold so much he has never beaten two top twenty heavyweights on the bounce.
Wlad has serious chin issues.
Ruiz......without Don King in his corner the guy would have retired years ago.
Byrd is very skilled but too small in general to beat big guys consisantly.
The division is maybe not so much weak but devoid of dominant characters that would spark the interest needed to excite the fans.

You left out simon peter and lamon brewster. they are not overpowering figures by any means, but people know about them and they just need more recognition, more hype, and more chances to fight. Boxing has become political and about money. These guys promoters won't put them in the ring because there's not enough cash. The heavyweight division needs a big fight, a fight that's the main fight on the card to get it back to it's old glory.