Originally published November 25, 1983.
The physical resemblance between Joe Frazier and his son Marvis is unmistakable. But as they sat together during a news conference at Caesars Palace two days ago, there was a stark contrast displayed in their expressions.
Marvis, who will face unbeaten World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Larry Holmes tonight on national television (9 p.m., TV-Channel 3), appeared unmoved by the proceedings.
Joe, on the other hand, was intense and stern, looking as he used to, when he would stare at opponents who dared to challenge his hold on the heavyweight championship.
When Joe took his turn in front of the microphone, he turned to Eddie Futch - who was his trainer from 1966 to 1978 but is now in Holmes' corner - and announced that he was glad to be on the other side of the ring.
"I'll be facing you and Larry," the elder Frazier said.
Holmes captured the moment when he interrupted and said, "Not alone. "
Because Marvis, 23, has had only 10 professional fights, all victories and six by knockout, his father has been accused of trying to relive his youth through his son.
"I feel very sad for the young man," said Futch. "If you listen to Joe, it sounds like he's fighting me rather than Larry fighting Marvis. "
Holmes, who has distinguished himself by building a 44-0 record with 31 knockouts and 16 title defenses, was once the elder Frazier's sparring partner. Futch believes it is Joe Frazier who wants to take on the champion now, not Marvis.
The WBC refused to sanction the fight because of Frazier's lack of experience, so the young fighter can't win a title by defeating Holmes.
But Holmes told Frazier that if Frazier won, "I'll personally deliver my title belt to your house" but "I won't shake your hand. "
Joe Frazier's explanation for putting his son in the ring against Holmes is simple: He thinks it's time for Holmes to step down.
"There is not a bona fide reason why Joe is making Marvis fight for the heavyweight title at this early point in his career," said Futch, 72, who watched Marvis grow up and regards him as a grandson. "Heavyweights reach their peak at age 26 or 27, so what's the rush?
"(Muhammad) Ali took the title at age 22, but Marvis Frazier is no Ali. In my opinion, Marvis cannot realistically beat Larry Holmes. He doesn't have the experience, strength or stamina, and knowing the picture as well as I do, I feel that Marvis is not totally committed to this fight. "
Joe bristles at that accusation.
"They're crazy. I never wanted to relive my youth," he said. "I don't even feel like I'm 39. Marvis Frazier can fight; he don't need me to fight. "
Holmes, 34, expects to weigh in at about 220 pounds, and Marvis, who is not endowed with the awesome punching ability his father had, expects to come in at about 198.
Marvis is a 4 1/2-1 underdog, and the doomsayers here at Caesars are saying that he could take a terrible beating - the kind that robs boxers of their spirit and destroys careers.
"All of my career, people have downed me, saying I'm fighting off my daddy's name," said Marvis. "Come Friday night, you'll see who's name I'm fighting off of. "
The game plans of both fighters are clear. Frazier plans to punch for 180 seconds per round right in front of Holmes in that crouch that is virtually a Frazier trademark.
The Frazier camp is counting on youth and vigor overwhelming the champ, who has been less than impressive in his last three fights.
Holmes won a 12-round decision in March over Lucien Rodriguez and was hurt by Tim Witherspoon here in May before he came back in the last three rounds to win a decision.
On Sept. 10, Holmes knocked out unheralded Scott Frank in the fifth round.
"If you make the man miss, then you can touch him," said Joe. "You can't do anything running all around the ring. You've got to be able to touch him, so if he makes a mistake, you can make him pay for it. "
There's one major obstacle confronting that strategy - Holmes' punishing jab. Frazier will have to avoid it, or he might take the beating the critics are talking about.
"Your father was a good fighter - a great fighter," said Holmes, mindfully elevating his appraisal of Joe as he spoke to Marvis. "But how is he going to show you how to get around this left jab when he couldn't do it in his prime and I was just starting out? "
Marvis was old enough to remember those sparring sessions between Holmes and his father, and he seemed irritated by the comments that Holmes made.
"Just like we ran you out of that gym," said Marvis, cutting into Holmes' oration, "I'm going to run you out of the ring. "
Holmes said if Frazier backed off him during the fight, he would back him into a corner and the match would be over.
"If Larry gets him in a corner," Joe responded, "Larry will jump out the corner first. "
It was a spirited exchange, born more of genuine disdain than hype, that ruled the news conference.
There's a lot to prove. Joe wants to prove that his son is a better fighter than Holmes and that he is a better trainer than Futch, who handled 17 world champions in his career.
"I'm a champion," said Joe. "I know what it takes to be champion."