Joe McFarland’s 13th Year at Michigan starts Saturday, He Talks to Takedown
Posted on | November 9, 2011 | No Comments
The University of Michigan wrestling team will send its full squad to compete unattached at the Michigan State Open on Saturday (Nov. 9) in East Lansing, Mich. The annual tournament, the Wolverines’ final tune-up prior to their dual-meet opener, will be split into freshman/sophomore and open divisions. Action is scheduled for a 9 a.m. start at Jenison Field House.
MICHIGAN BY THE NUMBERS:
Complete Statistics: Through Nov. 5
LAST TIME OUT: EMU Open
The Wolverine freshmen stole the show at last Saturday’s season-opening Eastern Michigan Open (Nov. 5), posting six top-three finishes in the freshman/sophomore division. Freshman Justin Dozier headlined the rookie contingent, posting a perfect 4-0 record — with two pins — en route to the heavyweight crown. Sophomore/freshman Donnie Watkins took runner-up at 141 pounds, while freshman Camryn Jackson, freshman Connor Brancheau, freshman Ben Ralston and sophomore/freshman Chris Heald claimed third at 141, 165, 174 and 184 pounds, respectively.
Both of Michigan’s open-division representatives earned top-six finishes as junior/sophomore Mike Hillock went 5-1 en route to a third-place finish at 149 pounds and sophomore/freshman Jake Salazar took sixth at 157 pounds with a 3-3 mark. All Wolverines competed unattached in the kickoff EMU tournament.
WOLVERINE BITES
We’re Going Streaking — Fifth-year senior Kellen Russell posted a perfect 38-0 record last season en route to the NCAA 141-pound title. Adding his win in the 2009 NCAA seventh-place match, Russell carries a 39-match winning streak into the 2011-12 campaign. It ranks as the third-longest win streak in U-M program history, behind John Fisher (47, 1988-89) and Otto Olson (42, 2001-02). Russell previously compiled win streaks of 18 matches as a freshman and 23 matches as a sophomore and has lost back-to-back matches on just two occasions his collegiate career — at the 2008 National Duals and the 2008 NCAA Championships.
Calling the Shots — Head coach Joe McFarland is in his 13th season as head coach of the Michigan wrestling team. Since taking over the reins in 1999, McFarland has helped mold Michigan into a highly-touted national contender, guiding the U-M wrestling squad to three Big Ten dual-meet championships (2004, ’05, ’06) and eight consecutive top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships (2001-08), including an NCAA runner-up performance in 2005. He is the third winningest coach in program history with a 147-69-5 record at the helm and has led 18 different student-athletes to four NCAA individual titles, 40 All-America citations and 18 Big Ten individual crowns.
Welcome Aboard — Michigan added three new coaches to its staff this offseason — assistants Sean Bormet and Donny Pritzlaff and volunteer coach Kyle Massey. Bormet rejoined the Wolverine program after molding the Overtime School of Wrestling into the nation’s premiere wrestling club over the last 10 years. Bormet, a two-time All-American and Big Ten champion as a Wolverine wrestler (1991-94), previously spent one season as a Wolverine assistant coach (1999-2000). Pritzlaff served five seasons as an assistant coach at Wisconsin (2007-11) — the last two as associate head coach — where he guided the Badgers to three straight top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a fourth-place finish in 2010. Massey spent the two seasons on the coaching staff at Wisconsin, serving one year as volunteer assistant coach (2009-10) and another as the Badgers’ volunteer strength coach (2010-11).
THE WOLVERINE WRESTLING WRAP PODCAST
Every week, members of the Michigan coaching staff will offer insider access to his program in the rapid-fire Wolverine Wrestling Wrap audio podcast. The Wolverine coaches will touch on topics ranging from his wrestlers, Michigan’s opponents, strategy and the other events of the season in each weekly feature.
GET SOCIAL
• Michigan wrestling is now on Twitter. Sign up and follow the Wolverines (umichwrestling) with up-to-the-minute news and information throughout the season and beyond. Twitter is a free casual, online social network that is designed to connect businesses, organizations and individuals. Each Twitter post (or “tweet”) can be received on a user’s cell phone via text or on the web.
• Michigan wrestling is also on Facebook. Connect with the program, alumni and fans by clicking the “Like” button atfacebook.com/michiganwrestling
IN THE POLLS
Michigan boasts nine individuals ranked among the top 20 wrestlers in their respective weight classes in the InterMat, Amateur Wrestling News, WIN Magazine or D1 College Wrestling polls:
Wt. | Name | IM | AWN | WIN | D1CW |
125 | Sean Boyle | 11 | 17 | 11 | 9 |
133 | Zac Stevens | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
141 | Kellen Russell | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
149 | Eric Grajales | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
157 | Brandon Zeerip | NR | 18 | NR | 23 |
165 | Dan Yates | NR | 20 | NR | 21 |
174 | Justin Zeerip | 17 | 11 | 18 | 20 |
197 | Max Huntley | NR | NR | 19 | 23 |
Hwt | Ben Apland | 19 | 10 | 15 | 16 |
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 18 — at Buffalo (Buffalo, N.Y.), 5 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 19 — at Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Pa.), 7 p.m.
Fri-Sat., Dec. 2-3 — at Cliff Keen Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Scott Casber
Founder/Host
Takedown Wrestling Radio and TV
USA Wrestling Weekly
515-707-8657
Tags: Auto > chris heald > collegiate career > division representatives > dozier > draft > eastern michigan > freshman sophomore > heavyweight crown > hillock > jenison field house > Joe McFarland > john fisher > kellen > open divisions > otto olson > pound title > program history > two occasions > win streak > Wolverines > wrestling team
Trainer Orlando Cuellar believes Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira has marketing potential to be Brazilian Oscar de la Hoya
Posted on | November 9, 2011 | No Comments
Undefeated middleweight prospect makes ShoBox debut Friday night vs. Xavier Tolliver in El Paso
MIAMI (Nov. 9, 2011) – Unbeaten, 21-year-old middleweight Michael “The Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira, according to his head trainer Orlando Cuellar, has the potential to be a Brazilian version of Oscar de la Hoya.
Oliveira (15-0, 12 KOs) makes his nationally televised debut Friday night (Nov. 11) against veteranXavier “The X-Man” Tolliver (23-7, 15 KOs) in an eight-round on a World Championship edition ofShobox: The Next Generation, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11:05 PM/ET (delayed on the West Coast) from Cohen Stadium in El Paso, Texas.
World Boxing Association (“WBA”) super welterweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (23-0, 13 KOs) headlines the card in a title defense versus Frank LoPorto (15-4-2, 7 KOs).
WBC No. 15-rated Oliveira, the reigning World Boxing Council (“WBC”) South American middleweight champion, was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil but moved two weeks later with his family to Miami.
His movie-star looks, fan-friendly style and unique storyline as a son from an affluent Brazilian family have allowed Oliveira to become a rising star in Brazil and compelling prospect in the U.S.
“With his face and skills, along with his ability to speak very well and light-up in front of cameras,” Cueller said, “Michael can be a Brazilian Oscar de la Hoya, without the amateur background. He loves to fight but doesn’t need to because of his family. His appeal is across the board – kids, seniors, etc. Women want to be with him, men want to be like him. He’s the total package; a potential marketing phenomenon.”
This will only be the second fight that Oliveira and Cuellar, who trains Glen Johnson in Miami among his more notable boxers, have worked together. “Orlando and I, chemistry-wise, clicked right away,” Oliveira noted. “What makes this a perfect team is our adjusting to each other. There are times he doesn’t have to say a word. I look at him and know what he wants me to do.
“I’m a completely renovated boxer. I still have my strength, but my defense, speed and conditioning are much better. Fighting on Showtime is a great opportunity for me to show boxing fans in the United States what our team has worked so hard at. People who saw me box in the past won’t recognize me.”
“When I first got Michael,” Cuellar remembered, “he was a little chubby and he needed to tighten his defense and work on movement. I explained everything to him and he’s everything into training since the first day. He’s always had a big heart and guts. We brought his weight way down, got him to execute properly through good sparring, and his lungs and pump (heart) are right where we want. His heart’s good, weight perfect, and Friday night our strategy is coming out.”
Go to www.MichaelOliveira.com for more information about this exciting, young fighter. |
Tags: amateur background > appeal > Boxing > brazilian family > brazilian version > card > champion > championship > cohen stadium > edition > El Paso > everything > Family > Glen Johnson > head > heart > HOYA > middleweight > Middleweight Champion > movie star > nbsp > no doubt > ofShobox > Oscar De La Hoya > package > Phenomenon > rising star > rocky oliveira > sao paulo brazil > SHOWTIME > son > super welterweight champion > trainer > undefeated > WBA > welterweight > World Boxing Association > World Boxing Council > x man > xavier tolliver
Robert Guerrero to attend the 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas
Posted on | November 9, 2011 | No Comments
Las Vegas, Nevada – November 9, 2011 – Three division world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrrero, will attend this year’s 12th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards and walk the Green Carpet with the stars. Presented by the Latin Recording Academy, the GRAMMY is the recording industry’s most prestigious award. In addition, Guerrero has been invited to the 2011 Person of the Year Tribute to Shakira.
“I’m excited being that this will be my first time attending the Latin GRAMMY Awards,” said Guerrero. “I’m looking forward to meeting a variety of great talented musicians. Shakira’s an electrifying performer and to be attending her tribute ceremony is incredible. I’m a big fan of her music. This is going to be a fun time.”
The 12th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 10 and will be broadcast live on the Univision Network at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. In addition, the broadcast also will be distributed internationally to more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.latingrammy.com.
Tags: Academy > annual latin grammy awards > Auto > award > awards > Bay > broadcast > carpet > center > Central > com > division > draft > fun time > GHOST > grammy awards > Guerrrero > industry > Las Vegas > latin grammy awards > m central > Mandalay > mandalay bay events center > music > November > Presented > prestigious award > recording academy > recording industry > shakira > talented musicians > Thursday > time > tribute > Univision > univision network > vegas nevada > visit > World Champion > www > YEAR
WALSHE & THOMAS TO TEAM UP FOR IRELAND
Posted on | November 9, 2011 | No Comments
David Walshe, founder of Ireland’s most popular boxing website www.irishboxers.ie, is the latest to join the credible rooster that is the staff of the World Boxing Federation (WBF), with the goal of helping further develop the sport in the Republic of Ireland.
Walshe, from Portlaw in the south of the Irish Republic, is involved in boxing in his home country in a number of different areas for over 30 years. He still advises a number of professional fighters and matchmakes, which is part of what he calls “a combined service including the running and development of the website, dedicated to Irish boxers based worldwide”. Without exaggeration, this site is fast becoming a bible for Irish boxers all over the globe.
Walshe will work alongside Paul Thomas, the highly respected WBF Regional Representative for Great Britain and Ireland, who is also a member of the WBF Executive Committee. “Boxing is my life and I am always looking at ways to help and develop the sport,” Walshe said, “I can assure you that I will work in the World Boxing Federation’s best interest, treat boxers, officials and promoters with the utmost respect and do all in my power to bring the best possible results to the WBF.”
Tags: Auto > best interest > bible > boxers > boxing website > combined service > draft > exaggeration > executive committee > globe > Great Britain > irish republic > paul thomas > portlaw > professional fighters > promoters > regional representative > republic of ireland > rooster > utmost respect > WBF > World Boxing Federation
Mixed Martial Arts Links (11-9-11)
Posted on | November 9, 2011 | No Comments
Mixed martial arts goes mainstream with Saturday’s national network broadcast San Jose Mercury News By Mark Emmons memmons@mercurynews.com Mixed–martial arts, the violent combat sport once relegated to the American sporting scene’s back alleys, is about to go Main Street. “The world is ready for us,” said Dana White, the brash head of Ultimate … See all stories on this topic »
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Make mixed martial arts safer: doctors Ninemsn A man who had a stroke after a mixed martial arts training session has reignited debate over whether the sport needs tougher regulations. Doctors who treated the man say mixed martial arts(MMA) fighters, particularly children, need to be aware they … See all stories on this topic »
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UFC 143’s Nick Diaz tells ‘Inside MMA‘ villain role effective, not necessarily … MMAjunkie.com by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Nov 08, 2011 at 1:20 pm ET The outspoken and sometimes controversial former Strikeforce champion has both delighted and baffled MMA fans with his trashtalking and open challenges to MMA superstars such as UFC champ Georges … See all stories on this topic »
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Barrington grad Wiseman enters MMA arena Barrington Courier-Review Photo courtesy of Troy Wiseman One of the most storied wrestlers in Barrington High School history is now taking his game to the growing world of mixed martial arts. Chandler Wiseman, who holds the Broncos single season record with 43 wins in 2007, … See all stories on this topic »
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Takedown Entertainment Expands to Australia With Cage Fighting Championship … MarketWatch (press release) LONDON, Nov 08, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Takedown Entertainment Inc. (www.takedownentertainment.com ) /quotes/zigman/603284 TKDN +5.41% , the new face of Mixed Martial Arts, is pleased to announce it has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire … See all stories on this topic » |
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No Kidding: A win for Norifumi Yamamoto at UFC on FOX on Nov. 12 would be big … MMAmania.com Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight Norifumi Yamamoto is part of a recent wave of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters who have migrated from Japan, in search of something bigger and better. With the on-again-off-again status of DREAM and … See all stories on this topic »
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The MMA blogosphere is bitchslapping Juanito Ibarra | Fightlinker … By fightlinker Two years ago, Tito Ortiz said some stuff about Rampage Jackson’s former coach Juanito Ibarra being a thief. Fightlinker – UFC, Strikeforce,… |
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Video: Mixed martial arts fighters show LA robber their moves | 89.3 … By Eyder Peralta | NPR This past Friday in Los Angeles, Luis Rosales walked into a Comfort Inn and police say he pulled a gun on the clerk. What Rosales didn’t know is that two mixed martial arts fighters were in town for the World Jiu-Jitsue No-Gi Championship in … KPCC: Latest News |
Tags: Arts > Auto > back alleys > Barrington > barrington high school > beatdowns > Bleacher Report > boxing world > broadcast > Champ > champion > championship > com > combat > combat sport > Dana White > draft > fighting > FOX > head > Ibarra > Joe Frazier > jose mercury news > mark emmons > mercurynews > Mixed Martial Arts > mixed martial arts training > Mixed-martial > nbsp > news > Ninemsn > open challenges > role > san jose mercury > san jose mercury news > Strikeforce > stroke > takedown > topic > UFC > violent combat > wiseman
CHAMPION AUSTIN TROUT, CHALLENGER FRANK LOPORTO TO DO FACEOFF CONFERENCE AT COHEN STADIUM IN EL PASO, TEXAS
Posted on | November 9, 2011 | No Comments
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
(Tomorrow) Wednesday, November 9 at 3:00 p.m. at Cohen Stadium in El Paso, TX
WHO:
WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout and Challenger Frank LoPorto
WHAT:
The media and general public are invited to a faceoff conference tomorrow (Wednesday, November 9 at 3:00 pm) at Cohen Stadium, where WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout and Challenger Frank LoPorto will meet for the first time face to face, just two days before their world championship main event on Friday, November 11 at Cohen Stadium. This event if promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions, in association with Zeferino Promotions.
WHEN:
WEDNESDAY, November 9, 3:00 P.M.
WHERE:
Cohen Stadium
9700 Gateway North Blvd
El Paso, TX 79924
ABOUT TROUT VS. LOPORTO
On November 11, Greg Cohen Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions, in association with Zeferino Promotions, will proudly present the homecoming of undefeated WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout.
Trout (23-0, 13 KOs) will defend his title against #14-rated contender Frank LoPorto(15-4, 7 KOs) of Victoria, Australia in the main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Cohen Stadium in El Paso, Texas.
The 12-round championship bout will be the second title defense and first premium cable appearance for Trout and the U.S. debut for LoPorto.
In the ShoBox co-featured fights, undefeated prospect Jonathan Gonzalez (14-0, 13 KOs), of Puerto Rico, will face Gabriel Rosado (18-5, 10 KOs), of Philadelphia, in a 10-round junior middleweight bout and Michael Oliveira (15-0, 12 KOs), of Miami, Fla., will face an opponent to be announced in an eight-round middleweight bout.
Trout’s promoter, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions, says local boxing fans should be at Cohen Stadium on fight night, and boxing fans across the country should be watching on Showtime.
“We are thrilled to be working with GSP on this event and November 11 will be a great night. The people in the El Paso area can see their hometown boy made good and the world can finally get a look at the true superstar of the junior middleweight division. Austin has waited a long time to get his USA premium cable debut and he fully intends in making the most of this opportunity in front of the US boxing public and the executives at Showtime.”
26-year-old southpaw Trout won his title in Mexico last February by unanimous decision over Rigoberto Alvarez, brother of WBC Champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and successfully defended it in June, again in Mexico, via 12-round decision over the formidable David “Destroyer” Lopez.
He was born in El Paso and resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico, about 40 miles away.
“We’re expecting a packed house that night,” continued Cohen. “Austin enjoys celebrity status in his hometown and the people of the community will rally behind him in big numbers. Everyone is very excited about Austin finally bringing his championship back to home soil.”
The exciting undercard will be announced soon.
Tickets are priced at $55 for Ringside, $30 for Reserved and $10 General Admission and are available at www.diablos.com or by calling 915.755.2000.
All bouts are subject to change.
Tags: appearance > Association > Auto > Bout > challenger > champion > championship > championship bout > cohen stadium > conference tomorrow > contender > draft > event > faceoff > fight > first premium > Gary Shaw > gateway north > greg cohen > GSP > homecoming > hometown > junior middleweight champion > Kos > main event > miami fla > middleweight > nbsp > no doubt > november 11 > round > ShoBox > Stadium > time > time face > tomorrow > TRIPLEHEADER > victoria australia > WBA > Wednesday > WHERE
PURDY AND LYNES READY FOR YORK HALL SHOWDOWN
Posted on | November 9, 2011 | No Comments
Duo weigh-in at ahead of British Welterweight title clash
Lee Purdy and Colin Lynes are ready for the ‘Battle of Essex’ tonight (November 9) after weighing in for their British Welterweight title battle at the Nu Bar Loughton yesterday.
Colchester champion Purdy will win the Lonsdale belt outright if he can successfully defend it for the second time and faces Hornchurch’s Lynes at York Hall, with the 33 year-old challenger fighting in his 14th title bout.
Purdy scaled 10st 6lb 2oz at the Essex nightspot famous from its appearances on BAFTA hit TV show The Only Way Is Essex, and the 24 year-old champion said he is in prime shape to see off his experienced opponent.
“I’ve got nothing but respect for Colin and what he has done in the game – but I think I will have too much for him,” said Purdy. “I have trained better than ever for this as it’s a really massive occasion for me topping the bill at York Hall in a title defence live on Sky Sports, and I am totally confident that I will come out on top.”
Lynes weighed in at 10st 6lb 5oz and ahead of his 45th professional contest to Purdy’s 20th, he insisted that while experience is important, it’s not going to be the sole factor in the fight.
“Experience does come into it but I’m not going to rely on it tonight,” said Lynes. “It’s a question that keeps getting put to me, but it’s not something during training that I’ve been working with the attitude that I’ve this many fights and that many rounds, so I’m going to win the fight. That would be stupid. Statistically, it’s an advantage for me to have had more rounds and more title fights, but he’ll be thinking his age is an advantage to him. So I’m under no illusions that my experience is a good thing, but it’s not going to win me the fight.
“Lee’s a fantastic fighter and I liken his path to mine really. Not so long ago Lee was the man to get on your record and if you beat him, you warrant a title fight. I was in that category before I challenged Barry Morrison in Scotland. It’s up to you to turn around and say ‘no, I’m not going to be someone’s stepping stone, I want to be the champion’, I did that against Barry (Morrison) and full credit to Lee, he did that against Watson.”
A limited number of unreserved (£35) and ringside (£60) tickets for Purdy’s British Welterweight title defence against Lynes plus full championship undercard featuring Mike Perez will be available on the door at the York Hall in Bethnal Green from 6pm.
Tags: age > attitude > Auto > BAFTA > Bout > challenger > champion > championship > Colin Lynes > credit > draft > Duo > Essex > fight > fight experience > illusions > Lonsdale > Loughton > LYNES > nightspot > number > opponent > purdy > ready > second time > shape > show > Sky Sports > sole factor > someone > something > Stone > time > title bout > title clash > title defence > title fight > title fights > welterweight title > yesterday
TORNADO’S FANTASY DREAM FIGHTS: JOE FRAZIER VS MIKE TYSON
Posted on | November 9, 2011 | No Comments
By: Tony Penecale
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a special tribute to Joe Frazier’s recent passing after facing the final fight of his life against liver cancer. Though Mike Tyson and Joe Frazier were good friends, they would have made excellent opponents for each other in their respective prime years. This piece is a re-post of an older article by our boxing expert Tony Penecale. This Thursday night on our radio show at www.fightradio.info we will pay tribute to Joe with special guest and boxing historian Patrick McElligott. The live broadcast starts at 8PM EST.
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On July 26, 1986, Mike Tyson was on his meteoric path to becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history when he stepped into the ring against Marvis Frazier, son of the legendary Smokin Joe Frazier. Marvis, a decent fighter at 16-1, was most known for his only loss, a one-round destruction at the hands of Larry Holmes. When Tyson and Marvis came to the center of the ring for the pre-fight instructions, it was Smokin’ Joe initiating a stare-down with Iron Mike.
Unfortunately, that didn’t help Marvis in the ring, and within seconds, the younger Frazier would be slumped in the corner, victim of a devastating 1st-round knockout. Those who knew Joe Frazier could tell that he wished he was back in his prime so he could have taken on Tyson himself. For this fantasy matchup, we are going to pit the prime Smokin’ Joe Frazier (1971) vs. the most devastating Mike Tyson (1988). Would Joe have been able to stand up to Tyson’s destructive onslaught or would he have fallen victim like his son and many others? Could Tyson break Frazier’s indomitable will or would he be broken by it?
STATISTICS
Frazier: (all stats for bout on 3/8/71)
Age – 27 years old
Height – 5’11”
Weight – 205 lbs
Reach – 73”
Record – 26-0 (23)
Corner – Yank Durham, Eddie Futch
Tyson: (all stats for bout on 6/27/88)
Age – 21 years old
Height – 5’10”
Weight – 218 lbs
Reach – 71”
Record – 34-0 (30)
Corner – Kevin Rooney, Jay Bright
STYLE
Frazier:
Frazier fought out of a bob and weave style. Normally giving up height and reach advantages to his opponents, Frazier would come forward, bobbing and weaving to get inside, where he would grind his opponents with a punishing attack of body shots and hooks to the head.
Tyson:
Tyson utilized the classic peek-a-boo stance with his fists at his cheeks. Also much shorter than most adversaries, Tyson would use head movement and feints to get inside where he would blister opponents with a rapid two-fisted attack.
STRENGTHS
Frazier:
1) Left Hook – The punch was such a great weapon for Frazier that it became a trademark for the city of Philadelphia. Once inside, Frazier would set down and fire punishing hooks to the head and body. His power was capable of leveling an opponent with one punch, but most often it was an accumulation of hooks that brought them down.
2) Conditioning – Frazier came into every bout in tremendous shape. He would set a blistering pace from the start and would seemingly get stronger each round.
3) Will – Frazier came up working hard for everything he accomplished. There was no quit in him, no matter the circumstances.
Tyson:
1) Speed – Tyson could throw 4 punches in under a second. Even wide hooks and right hands came with such blistering speed that opponents could not see them, much less avoid them.
2) Power – Tyson had frightening power in both hands, most notably his left hook and right uppercut. Most opponents were dispatched in an efficient and often brutal manner.
3) Psychological Warfare – Tyson defeated many opponents before the first bell even rang. He fed off of their fear and had them going backwards from the start, which left them vulnerable to his attack.
WEAKNESSES
Frazier:
1) Slow Starter – Frazier often was not fast out of the gate. Many times he lost the early rounds and in his first fight with Oscar Bonavena, he was knocked down twice in the 2nd round.
2) Vulnerable Chin – As tough as he was, Frazier did not have a great chin. He was stunned on several occasions and the Bonavena fight nearly derailed his championship aspirations.
Tyson:
1) Mentality – Tyson was best when his opponents allowed him to run roughshod over them. But in the few cases when he met adversaries that could frustrate him, he would fall into bad habits of clinching and wild, ineffective punching. Evident in his fight with Bonecrusher Smith, he allowed Smith the clinch him at every opportunity, especially as the rounds progressed.
2) Footwork – While often overshadowed by his awesome offense, Tyson made frequent mistakes with his footwork, often getting square to his opponent or getting himself off-balance.
BEST PERFORMANCES
** Indicates Best Performance & the Version of the Fighter Used for this Matchup
Frazier:
1) ** Muhammad Ali (3/8/71) – In a battle that transcended boxing, it was a matchup between two undefeated heavyweights, each with a legitimate claim to the heavyweight title. In the buildup, Ali taunted Frazier and vowed to regain the title Frazier had won during the time Ali was exiled from boxing. Ali boxed well early but Frazier started to control the tempo around the 5th round, setting a torrid pace and punishing Ali with an onslaught of hooks and body punches. Frazier dominated over the final five rounds, staggering Ali badly in what Ferdie Pachecho titled “The Terrible 11th” and finally flooring him with a massive left hook in the 15th round en route to winning a unanimous decision.
2) Bob Foster (11-18-70) – Foster was the reigning light heavyweight champion with tremendous power in both hands. While his previous attempts at heavyweight offered him limited success, he was brutally dispatched on this night. Frazier came out early and walked through a solid right hand, pressing Foster and backing him on his heels. Seconds into the 2nd round, Frazier landed a quick left hook, depositing Foster on the canvas. When Foster rose unsteadily, he was met with a highlight Frazier hook, knocking him to the canvas where he was counted out.
3) Buster Mathis (3-4-68) – In a bout for the New York state recognition of the heavyweight title, two undefeated rivals met for the crown. Mathis owned an amateur win over Frazier and despite his bulk, he was naturally quicker and more agile. After being outboxed early, Frazier increased his attack and increasingly sapped his 245 lb opponent. By the 11th round, Mathis was out of steam and Frazier closed the show, forcing the referee to save a battered Mathis.
Tyson:
1) ** Michael Spinks (6-27-88) – Similar to the first Ali-Frazier bout, this one was where both combatants had legitimate claims to the real heavyweight title. Spinks owned two wins over the recognized champion Larry Holmes and had not lost the title in the ring. Tyson had unified all of the titles and sat atop the throne as undisputed champion. While it was hyped to be a superfight, the result was a super destruction as Tyson attacked the frightened Spinks as soon as the bell rang. Within a minute, Spinks found himself on his knees courtesy of a Tyson blow to the ribs. He rose to his feet but his vertical position was short-lived as a Tyson right hand knocked him back to the canvas where he was counted out with this head resting beneath the bottom rope. The fight was a mere 90 seconds from start to finish and solidified Tyson’s legend.
2) Larry Holmes (1-22-88) – Holmes hadn’t fought in 21 months prior to this fight but even at 38 years old, he was a respected challenger. His only losses were both disputed losses to Michael Spinks, and many considered him 50-0 as opposed to 48-2 going into this bout. But to Tyson, he was just another stepping stone. While Holmes was able to hold his own through the first three rounds, he found himself on the canvas early in the 4th, first from a Tyson right hand and then again from a follow-up barrage. Tyson cemented the win with a vicious right hand that left Holmes in a heap where he was counted out, the only stoppage defeat in his Hall-of-Fame career.
3) Trevor Berbick (11-22-86) – Tyson’s bid to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history came against brash and confident Berbick. Berbick’s attempts at mind games where quickly snuffed by Tyson’s fistic barrage which wobbled him at the end of the 1st round and put in on the canvas early in the 2nd. Tyson finished the job in memorable fashion, flattening Berbick with a left hook to the temple. When Berbick tried to rise, he comically fell two more times across the ring, prompting the referee to mercifully stop the fight.
QUESTIONS:
Frazier:
1) Can Frazier survive Tyson’s early onslaught?
2) Can Frazier counter Tyson’s advantage in size and speed?
3) Will Frazier be able to back Tyson up?
Tyson:
1) Can Tyson fight at Frazier’s tempo for 15 rounds?
2) Is Tyson able to fight going backwards?
3) How will Tyson react when Frazier hits him?
THE PREDICTION
After polling a number of people, both boxing fans and those involved in the sport (fighters, trainers, writers), the consensus has come back split. Many feel that Tyson would bounce Frazier off the canvas like a basketball and finish him early. Others feel that Frazier’s spirit would be too much for Tyson and he would extend him past the 5th round and smoke him. This brings back memories of an article in Ring Magazine back in the early 90s that pitted Tyson in his prime against virtually every notable heavyweight champion and he beat them all, Louis, Marciano, Dempsey, Liston, Foreman, Johnson, with the exception of two, Ali and … Frazier.
At the opening bell, both fighters would storm from their corners and meet up in the center of the ring. Frazier would be bobbing and weaving and trying to jab in to Tyson’s body. Tyson would have his guard high, looking for openings to land his right hand and left hook. The fighting would be in close early with Tyson trying to muscle Frazier off of him and blister him with combinations. A combination before the bell will stagger Frazier and he goes back to his corner on unsteady legs.
Tyson’s success will continue in the 2nd round as he fires a three-punch combination. While Frazier ducks under the first two punches, the final right hand will clip him on top of the head and send him to his knees. Frazier will be up at the count of four and will rush back into the fray, firing hooks to get Tyson’s respect. The fighters will exchange hooks, with Tyson’s landing a little faster and a little cleaner and Frazier will again find himself on the canvas with blood coming out of his mouth. But he will again rise and survive the round.
Frazier will keep advancing in the 3rd and 4th rounds, and while he is still getting the worst of the exchanges, he will be successful in landing some punches on Tyson, especially in close. Tyson would be reduced to throwing single punches instead of the combinations that carried him to his early rounds success. By the 5th round, despite two swollen eyes, Frazier will be picking up steam while Tyson would be clinching more and showing the first signs of backing up.
Joe will be smokin’ by round six and Tyson will be trying to slow him down firing body shots and trying to find a home for his uppercut but his punches won’t have the same force they did early. Frazier will have more success in dodging Tyson’s offense and finding a home for his own double hook, first to Tyson’s body and then to his head, which will also force Tyson to limit the use of his right hand as he is using that primarily more for defense.
Mentally and physically drained, Tyson will fight through conditions he is unaccustomed to with Frazier’s hooks leaving the right side of his face a swollen mess. By the 10th round, he will have little left and will be frequently moving backwards, while the naturally smaller Frazier will be muscling him and chopping him down. An assortment of left hooks will finally drop Tyson in the 11th round and even though he survives the round, the look of pain and confusion on his face is proof of the punishment he is absorbing. While his corner allows him to come out for the 12th round, Tyson is clearly a beaten fighter. His stance is square and he is standing straight up, instead of positioned in a crouch ready to attack. Frazier presses on without fear of retaliation and quickly has Tyson in a corner, where he hammers him with a two-fisted attack, dropping him to his knees, as the referee is jumping in to stop the contest.
For the next installment of Fantasy Dream Fights, it will be a battle of Puerto Rico as welterweights Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad square off. This matchup will be available on June 30.
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