Joe Frazier's Great 5: The Unforgettable Duel with George Foreman

Joe Frazier's Great 5: The Unforgettable Duel with George Foreman

The fight with George Foreman - one of the most memorable matches in the history of boxing

When we talk about spectacular matches, decisive victories and a lot of joy for boxing fans, we cannot pass the name of Joe Frazier. In his modest 37 matches in the professional ring, he delivered some great matches that will forever go down in history. The absolute heavyweight champion of the world between 1970 and 1973 offers fights we may regret not having seen live. That's exactly why we're recalling the five best clashes he's been involved in over a series of five articles. After the success against Muhammad Ali in their first meeting, the convincing victory against Jimmy Ellis that made "Smokin' Joe" the winner of all three championship belts in the division and one of the successes that showed that a new top competitor was on the way, that of Jerry Quarry, at fourth place we will rank his fight with George Foreman.

A lot of people would say that the losses in a competitor's career shouldn't come during their best moments. However, this defeat for Frazier is as edifying, guiding future fights and as anticipated as one of his most famous victories. The match took place on January 22, 1973 and was the next defense of Joe's three world titles. He again, similar to his meeting with Muhammad Ali, has to face an undefeated boxer. "Big George" has won all 37 professional bouts leading up to the world champion, and 34 of those victories have come by way of knockout. No wonder for the 193 cm and almost 100 kg giant from Nigeria. According to the rankings of the World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Council, Foreman is number one and deserves to try for the titles of Frazier, who has held them since 1970.

The strange choice of arena for the fight takes us to the capital of Jamaica, Kingston, and the background shows that in November 1972, the 29-match world champion agreed to another defense against a man who was 13 centimeters and almost 3 kilograms taller than him . A man who achieved his 37 successes in just four years.

No wonder the fight lasted less than two rounds. Foreman won by knockout just one minute and 35 seconds into the second half. Frazier is dethroned, but the first loss is always extremely memorable for professional boxers, and for other sportsmen as well. It's instructive and shows that Joe can't fight everyone and dominate everyone. There is no right time for him to face Foreman this time around. Before the knockout, he was knocked to the ground six times, yes, six times in just over four minutes as the heavyweight champion fell to the ring in front of the huge crowd gathered at the island nation's national stadium. ABC match commentator Howard Cossell went down in history saying, “Frasier is down! Fraser is on the ground! Frazier is on the ground!” uttered three times in the space of a few seconds.

Foreman simply leaves no chances from the start. "Big George" opened with a series of powerful strikes and demonstrated that there was absolutely nothing accidental about his victories to this point. After only two minutes, he sends Frazier into the ropes, and with 17 seconds left in the first part, the first knockdown comes after a heavy combination to the champion's head. Just moments after the start of the second round comes knockdown number two, and then Cosell's catchphrase. The sixth knockdown prompted referee Angelo Dundee to call for a stoppage and referee Arthur Mercanti declared Foreman the winner.

The first professional loss for Frazier is a fact, and he must accept that he simply cannot overcome his opponent physically. "Big George" made two successful defenses against the likes of Jose Roman and Ken Norton. For Joe, the hopes remain that one day he will regain the world titles that he held within three years.

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