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$3,200,000 and he is prepared to fight
Foreman for less. It was not Clay's fault
that the $6,400,000 fight with Frazier
exploded. Then again, look what
happened to Cassius in San Diego.
Wise men now present two interesting
questions:
1 - Why, risking a $3,200,000 payday
with a man whom he already had beaten,
did Joe take on Foreman, big, strong,
with unknown possibilities, for
$850,000?
2 - What happened to the Frazier of
the Ali fight against Foreman at Jamaica?
The No. 2 query has brought forth the
possible explanation that Joe, at
Kingston, was a sick man. Certainly he
was not well for weeks after the meeting
with Clay.
The No. 1 query suggests that Durham
and Joe greatly underrated Foreman, as
did so many experts. The only
knowledgeable boxing figures who gave
George a serious chance were Angie
Dundee, Joe Louis and Archie Moore.
It is almost certain that Durham rated
Foreman a sucker against Frazier.
Without Yank's urging it is not likely that
Frazier would have gone to Jamaica. Ex-king Joe Frazier would like a return match with Foreman in an effort to win back the crown
he lost to George in Jamaica.
In any event, what's on the table for
American promoters, a category very
limited in so far as Big Money fights are
concerned?
Fore man could fight Frazier, an
adventure George could approach with
the confidence born of six Frazier trips to
the canvas at Kingston.
Foreman might pass up the possibility
that Frazier would emulate Floyd
Patterson against Ingemar Johansson and
recover the championship.
Foreman could defend his title against
Norton, the conqueror of Clay and the
breaker of his jaw.
Foreman could indulge in a warmup
against Quarry, whom Madison Square
Garden is trying desperately to build up
into an alleged contender.
Frazier could start rebuilding himself
with a fight against Quarry.
A very interesting situation would
have been created if Lyle had scored
decisively over Quarry.
However, that was something that
could not be expected in the light of
Lyle's comparative lack of experience.
It is questionable if Lyle's manager did
the right thing in throwing him in with an
experienced fighter like Quarry, who had
fought a 10-round draw with Floyd
Patterson and had beaten him in a
12-round fight.
Lyle is by no means finished. He was
merely rushed into fighting Quarry.
How are the Wise Men of the East and
the Wise Men of the West going to solve
the heavyweight riddle? Right now, Jerry Quarry, who defeated.Ron Lyle, tells Muhammad Ali he'd like another shot at him. Ali
nobody knows. has beaten Quarry twice. In the center is Walter Youngblood, Ali's assistant trainer.
JUNE, 1973 9