Frazier-Wepner '75

[clark]

I see Frazier stopping Wepner on cuts by round six.

[mr. magoo]

The almighty Chuck Wepner smokes the man who calls himself Smokin'.

For whatever reason, people seem to forget that Wepner was the guy who schooled a green Foreman, retired Sonny Liston, thrashed Earnie Terrell and left Ali lying on queer street. He also inspired the greatest boxing film of all time in Rocky. Not good enough? No problem. He defeated an awesome fighter in Terry Hinke to win the prestigous New Jersey state athletic title.

Wepner is an all time great.... See below how well conditioned he was in the Ali fight..

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[mr. magoo]

Look at how he was loved by women...


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[mr. magoo]

He still looks like comeback material in this honest boxing fan's eyes..


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[mr. magoo]

Chuck Wagon would have made dog meat out of just about any great fighter...

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[clark]

Ali toyed with Wepner, was never on "queer" street, and just appeared disinterested. Frazier would have been serious and I don't see Wepner
going past six.

[Pete47]

@Mr. Magoo
very good pictures!
Weppner had courage, but I do not think that he could have been a danger for Smokin`Joe.

[round15]

Frazier vs Wepner I think would probably be similar to Frazier vs Quarry I, or Frazier vs Ron Stander. Wepner was definitely capable of hurting Frazier, maybe even dropping him, but I can't see Wepner doing enough to keep himself from being beaten by Frazier. He'd wilt under the body attack that Joe would bring to this fight. Wepner probably beats the same shot Frazier that did slightly better but still was KO'd against Foreman in Uniondale 1976.

Smokin Joe KO inside 10 rounds.

[he grant]

Magoo is obviously joking ....

[unclepaulie]

The almighty Chuck Wepner smokes the man who calls himself Smokin'.

For whatever reason, people seem to forget that Wepner was the guy who schooled a green Foreman, retired Sonny Liston, thrashed Earnie Terrell and left Ali lying on queer street. He also inspired the greatest boxing film of all time in Rocky. Not good enough? No problem. He defeated an awesome fighter in Terry Hinke to win the prestigous New Jersey state athletic title.

Wepner is an all time great.... See below how well conditioned he was in the Ali fight..

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

He had awesome taste in socks.

[mattdonnellon]

Chuck out-socks Joe anytime.

[clark]

I see "Uniondale" Frazier winning also. Wepner would not have hurt Joe, in my opinion.

[kenmore]

Frazier vs Wepner I think would probably be similar to Frazier vs Quarry I, or Frazier vs Ron Stander. Wepner was definitely capable of hurting Frazier, maybe even dropping him, but I can't see Wepner doing enough to keep himself from being beaten by Frazier. He'd wilt under the body attack that Joe would bring to this fight. Wepner probably beats the same shot Frazier that did slightly better but still was KO'd against Foreman in Uniondale 1976.

Smokin Joe KO inside 10 rounds.

I disagree. Wepner was not a heavy puncher, so I cannot picture him hurting Frazier, let alone dropping him. Also, Wepner was not nearly as competitive a fighter as the 1969 version of Jerry Quarry, so he could not have given Joe the kind of intense battle that Jerry did.

More than anything else, Wepner was a gritty clubfighter who could take a great punch and soak up lots of punishment. Wepner was mentally tough...that's how he made his reputation.

My take on a 1975 Frazier-Wepner meeting is that Frazier wins within five to eight rounds in a one-sided contest. Wepner would probably remain on his feet, but he would be badly hurt and beaten. I think Wepner would amaze everyone with his courage, but in way could he threaten Frazier.

[SteveO]

I think Wep could hurt Joe, but it would only happen once I think.

[he grant]

Frazier was past his prime in 75 but still gave a better preserved Ali the fight of his life ... Wepner was a tough guy but no where near Frazier's class ... Frazier would have beaten him down and stopped him before 10 ...

[kenmore]

I think Wep could hurt Joe, but it would only happen once I think.

Based on what? There is no record of Wepner having that kind of punching power.

[kenmore]

I see Frazier not only cutting up Wepner inside of three rounds, but cracking his cheek bones and busting his orbital sockets.

I was tempted to call this fight a three round stoppage victory for Frazier. But ultimately I decided that it would take Joe longer than that to finish Wepner off.

My judgment is based on Wepner's having surivived almost ten full rounds against Sonny Liston in 1970 despite taking a beating and suffering severe cuts. Wepner must be granted credit for extraordinary staying power.

Then again, Joe Bugner and George Foreman stopped Wepner quickly and easily -- on cuts -- in their 1970 bouts. But by 1975, Wepner, for whatever reason (maybe an operation on his eyebrow ridges?) was bleeding much less severely than in earlier years. Thus, I would have given five to eight rounds survival against Frazier.