The Skills Of Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier….. Just the name alone strikes excitement into the mind when you think of this great fighter. Frazier was the first man to defeat his great nemesis Muhummad Ali, and was only beaten by legends Ali and Foreman. His style was to constantly be in his opponent’s chest, wearing them down with stifling pressure and punches from every angle available to him.

Head Movement

                Compared to many pressure fighters, Frazier didn’t get hit as much as you would expect. Frazier preferred to bob and weave constantly. Even when punches were not actually on its way, Frazier remained elusive by keeping his head in motion. This also meant less effort was required to slip, dip, or even roll from punches as he already had momentum. This was essential for a fighter walking directly into his opponents via a straight line. Even more significantly, it was his head slipping that allowed him to punch with an element of unpredictability that made his opponent hesitant to throw punches. This was because Frazier would punch off his slips. For example, after slipping to his left from a jab, Frazier would use the momentum generated on his left side to come up with a left hook. It was incredibly difficult for opponents to predict when he would come up with a punch, or if it was simply a non threatening slip.

Frazier was exceptional at slipping and ducking

Backing Opponents Up

The reason why Frazier was able to back his punches up so ‘easily’ without throwing a punch, was because throwing a punch was what allowed Frazier to hurt you. On the other hand, if you allowed the ferocious man to walk forward, then you’d give him a chance to pound your body, leaving the only option of simply backing up. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Throwing the jab didn’t always guarantee that you would keep him at bay. Rather, throwing the jab with intention could do you more harm than any good. Frazier was taught perfectly how to eat up groud, whilst avoiding jabs, so that he could get close enough to throw his ferocious hooks. In close, straight punches were as good as suicide, because he was so efficient in slipping them, and he would almost ALWAYS hook off of his slips, especially when he was inside his punching range.

Crab, Parry, and Forearm Sliding

For a fighter who likes to bend forward at the waist so often, Frazier didn’t get caught with as many uppercuts as you’d initially expect. This was mainly due to the crab guard that Frazier adopted. This involved holding his guard more horizontal than normal, with both arms parallel to the floor, as opposed to vertical. With his arms held across his body and face in such a manner, this also made it easier for him to slide punches off of by shifting the punches upwards or even below.

In addition to this, Frazier’s use of the parry aided his cause of getting inside. With his opponents using the jab (rightly so), against the incoming Frazier, Frazier deflected this by using his parry to walk down his opponents and prevent taking some unnecessary shots.

Left Hook

Frazier’s left hook was almost impossible to predict with the constant bobbin’ and weavin’ up and down. His style was much like a game of Russian roulette, impossible to know when he was going to explode up with the left hook. In all of Frazier’s fights, his left hook rarely missed the target when he came forward moving his head up and down. Even the feline instincts of Ali wasn’t enough to even spot it coming, in all of their three fights.

Approaching the latter parts of the 1960’s, Frazier could be seen thrashing his left hand up and down much more frequently than before. This helped him to develop a better jab, and land his hook more frequently. This was because it was now more difficult for opponent’s to see when it was on it’s way in the form of a punch. When they did catch on, it was too late by then.

Frazier’s left hook was deadly

As if one wasn’t dangerous enough, Frazier would throw his left hook a number of times. He would either hit the same spot repeatedly until he created a hole in the guard to exploit, or he would target different areas by going to the body and head. This variety left his opponents with little choice but to be flustered and confused.

Right hand

                Towards the latter end of Frazier’s career, when Eddie Futch had a more prominent role in Frazier’s camps, Joe started throwing right hands much more frequently than he did before. With his opponents expecting him to dip down and come up with a left hook, this allowed easy opportunities for unexpected right hands. Evident from the second Quarry fight onwards, Frazier started countering jabs with overhand rights, bringing the punch over as he slipped to his left. Whilst marching forwards, he would also throw the right hand when he noticed his opponents holding the lead side of their guard low.

Inside Fighting

Compact Combinations

The shorter Frazier was most dangerous on the inside, where he could take advantage of his smaller height and arms. Frazier’s ability to mix up punches on the inside  was a serious problem for his opponents, who’s height only presented a bigger target, and made it difficult to punch with power up close. By turning his shoulders, waist and bending his knees while throwing his punches, Frazier was able to get his full weight into the punch.

Frazier’s combinations were never strictly dedicated to just the head. Always targeting the body, his opponent’s had little chance in correctly anticipating his punches. Frazier would throw from a variety of angles, and would be relentless in doing so.

Forearm Use

                When inside, forearm made good use of his forearm to help his impose his will. By lifting his horizontal forearm  (usually his left), and pushing against his opponent to make space for his own punches. Also, by pushing his forearm into his opponent’s forearm, this prevented them from punching back at him.

Head Fighting

Like any great brawler knows, positioning of the head is crucial in the matters of balance. Joe Frazier liked to disrupt and frustrate his opponents by pushing the tip of his head into his opponent into his opponents chest or chin. This is made it near impossible for opponents to throw punches, as they couldn’t get set in their punches, and they risked falling backwards, and being pushed back.

Final Note

Frazier, as with all other pressure fighters, doesn’t get enough appreciation for his skills. The best attack is preceded by disguise and followed by surprise. Frazier’s ability to constantly mix attacks at the end of his defensive manoeuvres were brilliant to watch. It made for an unpredictable style. An exciting dream for the audience, but a nightmare for opponents.