How Would Rocky Marciano Fare Against The Following Champs?

[ThatOne]

Wladimir Klitschko

Sonny Liston

Muhammad Ali

Mike Tyson

Lennox Lewis

Larry Holmes

Evander Holyfield

George Foreman

Joe Frazier

[bjermaine]

love marciano but prime vs prime, i wouldn't pick him against any of the fighters you listed. he's too small. i think he's best chance would have been vs liston.

[jimglen]

Marciano Win against;

Lewis who beats a deflated Tyson (which, lets be honest 'really' shapes his legacy), and has a questionable chin - Marciano late stoppage.

Wlad Klit - same, Marciano too resilient and persistent.

Holyfield can be beat and the rock could do it 50/50

Ali outpoints him, but isn't likely to get the same fight he had against Foreman ( a one off)

Liston, Marciano - could go either way, depends on Liston's 'mind', Marciano mentally tougher.

Foreman too big and too strong, 8,9 out of 10 times Foreman

Holmes if he is his usual busy self, and stay well away, with his fast 'rappier' left points away to victory.

Tyson on a weak mind could lose, but not too often ( might well be the BEST HW in History!!!), 8 of 10 Tyson...

Frazier the best EVEN match of them all, could go either way, we're led to believe that Joe's era was best, but something tells me I shouldn't bet the house on it... Marciano seems to have a bit more boxing savy and finess, 50/50 "maybe" but i might lean toward the Rock.

LEWIS and KLIT, well "overated!!!"

[dempseyfire]

I think Marciano forces Klitschko in a Brewster-like meltdown but without taking the punishment Lamon did as Rocky actually had an under-rated defense and with his crouch at 5'10 would prove a difficult target for a 6'6 opponent.

I think he wears EVander out in a war.

Lewis can outpoint him over 12, over 15 it's a toss-up.

Frazier is a toss-up

I'd make the other fighters favorites over Rocky but I wouldn't be shocked at upsets.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Not good, Wlad is the only one I give a decent shot at. He would get in his licks against holyfield & frazier, but would get stopped eventually. The rest are pretty much mismatches.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Wladimir Klitschko

Sonny Liston

Muhammad Ali

Mike Tyson

Lennox Lewis

Larry Holmes

Evander Holyfield

George Foreman

Joe Frazier

Not sure what people will make of my takes, but here goes...

Klitschko

I'd bank on Marciano to wear him down with a bodyattack going uncontested beyond the ninth (with Marciano's heavy artillery having taken its toll), however, I think he looks awful at fight's end, & stands a real shot of losing. Klitschko's excellent jab, effective holding & overall size would make it very difficult for a time. I think he lacks the mental & physical fortitude to survive the whole way, but that's one which remains arguable. My gut says the big man retires on his stool.

Marciano TKO11 Klitschko

Liston

He's never getting past that jab, not in a million years. Liston stops him early, everytime. Just too much real estate --- protected by monster power in either hand --- for Marciano to penetrate. Marciano'd be down in the early going three or four times, but, like Mosley against Forrest in their first meeting, he would suck it up in the face of a situation he hadn't previously been in, & it would be brutal as a result.

Liston TKO5 Marciano

Ali

An outside shot for Marciano, who didn't have the reach or speed of Frazier, despite the stylistic advantage in his favour for this match. Ali was simply too quick across the board for mine. I still wonder about Ali's physical (&, to a lesser extent, mental) durability in his peak years, so if Marciano can hang in there, hurt the body as the rounds mount, & land the right punch late, he can win this --- unlikely, though, IMO.

Ali TKO12 Marciano

Tyson

I'd love to be proven wrong, but, going down the list of attributes, almost everything favours Tyson. They are stylistically similar, but, as I see it, Tyson gets the box ticked in height, weight, reach, power, hand, foot and reflex speed, whilst only losing out in chin, heart & endurance. Of course, seldom does a fighter possess the capability to ruin this kind of landslide advantage as does Tyson, but I still can't see Marciano surviving the early brutality.

Tyson TKO4 Marciano

Lewis

Height. Reach. Weight. Defensive gameplan. That jab, overhand right combination. Lewis, sans a lucky punch, wins going away. Lewis' occasionally suspect stamina & poor recuperative abilities are Marciano's only shot, & though they may come to the fore over fifteen rounds, I don't see it as likely. Almost certainly a Lewis win, & don't think that big overhand right couldn't dent Marciano, physically & mentally.

Lewis UD15 Marciano

Holmes

Holmes easier to find & not as quick overall ad Ali, nor is he as unpredictable. However, he made fewer errors than Ali, & had an even more dominating jab. I think he wings his way to a decision, but Marciano would give this a cracking shot &, with the style & power advantages, I give him a decent, though not great, chance at victory.

Holmes UD15 Marciano

Holyfield

Brutal, protracted battle. Edge to Marciano in stamina &, if possible, chin & heart as well. Terrible beating to get the chocolates, but Marciano wears him out over the long hall. Holyfield's protest is furious when his corner insist on a stoppage, fearing a suspected broken rib for their fighter.

Marciano TKO13 Holyfield

Foreman

Who are we kidding? Foreman, early & brutally, every single time. The least winnable of all matches here, including Liston.

Foreman TKO2 Marciano

Frazier

Honestly, I'm tempted to say I can't pick a winner, this is that tight. I'll force myself & say Marciano stops him, very late, while behind on the cards.

Marciano TKO14 Frazier

I guess I have him going 3-6-0, with three KO's.

[gambler49]

I think Marciano forces Klitschko in a Brewster-like meltdown but without taking the punishment Lamon did as Rocky actually had an under-rated defense and with his crouch at 5'10 would prove a difficult target for a 6'6 opponent.

I think he wears EVander out in a war.

Lewis can outpoint him over 12, over 15 it's a toss-up.

Frazier is a toss-up

I'd make the other fighters favorites over Rocky but I wouldn't be shocked at upsets.

I agree wiv everything u sed apart from Lewis and Liston. I think Liston would be a 50/50.. But I think he catches up wiv Lewis between 10-14 rounds as LL like WK are let down by their chin. I never saw Rocky run out of gas and heed put alot of pressure on LL.
I think 2 many people overrate the size aspect. Rocky had the strength of a 17 stone man just as Holyfield did.

[yancey]

Wladimir Klitschko

Sonny Liston

Muhammad Ali

Mike Tyson

Lennox Lewis

Larry Holmes

Evander Holyfield

George Foreman

Joe Frazier

Not sure what people will make of my takes, but here goes...

Klitschko

I'd bank on Marciano to wear him down with a bodyattack going uncontested beyond the ninth (with Marciano's heavy artillery having taken its toll), however, I think he looks awful at fight's end, & stands a real shot of losing. Klitschko's excellent jab, effective holding & overall size would make it very difficult for a time. I think he lacks the mental & physical fortitude to survive the whole way, but that's one which remains arguable. My gut says the big man retires on his stool.

Marciano TKO11 Klitschko

Liston

He's never getting past that jab, not in a million years. Liston stops him early, everytime. Just too much real estate --- protected by monster power in either hand --- for Marciano to penetrate. Marciano'd be down in the early going three or four times, but, like Mosley against Forrest in their first meeting, he would suck it up in the face of a situation he hadn't previously been in, & it would be brutal as a result.

Liston TKO5 Marciano

Ali

An outside shot for Marciano, who didn't have the reach or speed of Frazier, despite the stylistic advantage in his favour for this match. Ali was simply too quick across the board for mine. I still wonder about Ali's physical (&, to a lesser extent, mental) durability in his peak years, so if Marciano can hang in there, hurt the body as the rounds mount, & land the right punch late, he can win this --- unlikely, though, IMO.

Ali TKO12 Marciano

Tyson

I'd love to be proven wrong, but, going down the list of attributes, almost everything favours Tyson. They are stylistically similar, but, as I see it, Tyson gets the box ticked in height, weight, reach, power, hand, foot and reflex speed, whilst only losing out in chin, heart & endurance. Of course, seldom does a fighter possess the capability to ruin this kind of landslide advantage as does Tyson, but I still can't see Marciano surviving the early brutality.

Tyson TKO4 Marciano

Lewis

Height. Reach. Weight. Defensive gameplan. That jab, overhand right combination. Lewis, sans a lucky punch, wins going away. Lewis' occasionally suspect stamina & poor recuperative abilities are Marciano's only shot, & though they may come to the fore over fifteen rounds, I don't see it as likely. Almost certainly a Lewis win, & don't think that big overhand right couldn't dent Marciano, physically & mentally.

Lewis UD15 Marciano

Holmes

Holmes easier to find & not as quick overall ad Ali, nor is he as unpredictable. However, he made fewer errors than Ali, & had an even more dominating jab. I think he wings his way to a decision, but Marciano would give this a cracking shot &, with the style & power advantages, I give him a decent, though not great, chance at victory.

Holmes UD15 Marciano

Holyfield

Brutal, protracted battle. Edge to Marciano in stamina &, if possible, chin & heart as well. Terrible beating to get the chocolates, but Marciano wears him out over the long hall. Holyfield's protest is furious when his corner insist on a stoppage, fearing a suspected broken rib for their fighter.

Marciano TKO13 Holyfield

Foreman

Who are we kidding? Foreman, early & brutally, every single time. The least winnable of all matches here, including Liston.

Foreman TKO2 Marciano

Frazier

Honestly, I'm tempted to say I can't pick a winner, this is that tight. I'll force myself & say Marciano stops him, very late, while behind on the cards.

Marciano TKO14 Frazier

I guess I have him going 3-6-0, with three KO's.

Marciano would not see a 14th round with Frazier. The ref would pull Joe off him by the 11th.

Holyfield decisions Rocky.

Rocky's chances with Holmes are indecent, not decent. Holmes, easy decision or late stoppage.

[yancey]

I think Marciano forces Klitschko in a Brewster-like meltdown but without taking the punishment Lamon did as Rocky actually had an under-rated defense and with his crouch at 5'10 would prove a difficult target for a 6'6 opponent.

I think he wears EVander out in a war.

Lewis can outpoint him over 12, over 15 it's a toss-up.

Frazier is a toss-up

I'd make the other fighters favorites over Rocky but I wouldn't be shocked at upsets.

I agree wiv everything u sed apart from Lewis and Liston. I think Liston would be a 50/50.. But I think he catches up wiv Lewis between 10-14 rounds as LL like WK are let down by their chin. I never saw Rocky run out of gas and heed put alot of pressure on LL.
I think 2 many people overrate the size aspect. Rocky had the strength of a 17 stone man just as Holyfield did.

Liston would annihilate Rocky.

Frazier is a good 70/30 against Marciano. Probably more than 70/30, in truth.

[BoxBuzz]

Crikey!....yancey is at it again. He's making perfect sense. I'm making a disclaimer statement here and now. I did not steal his password and am not attempting to use his account to be funny or make a point.

That "0" on his record just has way too many people mystified, terrified, mortified, though it may be bonafide. He waded through a shallow pond to claim that. He also had a lucky streak with all his big name victims Charles, Louis Walcott and Moore....much of it due to age factors. I do think he was a lucky bastard...not that he was a bad fighter at all. He managed his career well...perfectly I guess. But like Aaron Pryor he was a good fighter who was superbly well managed and had lady luck taking residence right where he lived. And she wasn't lettin' go for whatever reason. Until that plane ride anyway.

[Goodnight, Irene]

"Marciano would not see a 14th round with Frazier. The ref would pull Joe off him by the 11th." - Yancey

Marciano's not tough enough? I would dispute that. I dunno, Yance, I just cannot envision this landslide advantage Frazier has in a straight-up fight with Marciano. I think it's desperately close. I don't know where you draw this idea either one could dominate the other. They have some distinct differences, yes, but, overall, they're remarkably similar.

[BoxBuzz]

"Marciano would not see a 14th round with Frazier. The ref would pull Joe off him by the 11th." - Yancey

Marciano's not tough enough? I would dispute that. I dunno, Yance, I just cannot envision this landslide advantage Frazier has in a straight-up fight with Marciano. I think it's desperately close. I don't know where you draw this idea either one could dominate the other. They have some distinct differences, yes, but, overall, they're remarkably similar.

Hey the Rock was tough as nails no doubt. But put Frazier against the Rocks "lucky streak". An aged Louis, Charles, Walcott or the LHW Moore. In each case Joe does better than Rocky....I.M.H.O. He outperforms him everytime. So by my math it's a bit one sided. And Rocky has a harder time against the likes of Bugner, Bonavena,Ali, Ellis. At least through my good eye and my glass eye combined.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Charles, Walcott, Moore would be very good wins for any Heavyweight at the time Marciano fought them. I consider those supremely under-rated victories.

It's common knowledge Marciano fought in a weaker era & gained a more glamourous record as a result, no one is disputing that. Still, I think both do more than well in their times. You really think Frazier dominates Marciano, Buzz? Not just wins, but does so convincingly, & in lopsided fashion?

[BoxBuzz]

I think it would be one miserable war and they both would be wondering why they ever chose their profession. But I see very few keys to victory for Marciano. I see Frazier as the man I'm putting my money on. Granted I only win in about 60% of my bets so I'm no Nostradamus. But I really feel that this one is nearly a lock.

With that said, when great punchers mix it up, how many times does the truly better fighter win? I'm guessing about 60% of the time. Because boxing can turn around on one nanosecond of Lady Lucks whim and nothing more.

[boogieeck]

Rocky is the best Cruiserweight of all time. He would have lost to most of the heavies but shaded Holyfield

[Klee Gluckman]

Ill get shat on for saying this. I like Rocky but he was cruiserweight who fought in a division with old fighters. Joe Louis I think sould have belted him in his prime. I think Liston would have beaten him circa 1958 if Rock had not retired.

Tyson, Ali, Lennox, Bowe, Holyfield, Frazier, Foreman, Liston and many others would beat rock. Pound 4 Pound he maybe the best ever at heavyweight but head to head he would lose to most of the top 15 heavyweights at thier best.

[yancey]

"Marciano would not see a 14th round with Frazier. The ref would pull Joe off him by the 11th." - Yancey

Marciano's not tough enough? I would dispute that. I dunno, Yance, I just cannot envision this landslide advantage Frazier has in a straight-up fight with Marciano. I think it's desperately close. I don't know where you draw this idea either one could dominate the other. They have some distinct differences, yes, but, overall, they're remarkably similar.

Pretty much as BB has already said.

Frazier-Marciano would be a hellacious fight that might see either man ever the same, but I see Frazier as an improved version of Marciano, faster and bigger, and small edges here and there would lead to a gradual pulling away and control of the fight by Joe. Sort of a stepped-up version of Quarry-Frazier I. The only way I don't see Frazier ultimately asserting control is if Rocky hurts Joe real badly real early, which of course could happen.

In my view of things, looking at the swarmer style of fighting, Frazier was an updated version of Rocky, with Tyson (at his very peak and for a short time) an improved version of Joe. Hope that makes sense. Of course, there were some differences in fight styles among those three, but I would think they could all be called swarmers.

[yancey]

Ill get shat on for saying this. I like Rocky but he was cruiserweight who fought in a division with old fighters. Joe Louis I think sould have belted him in his prime. I think Liston would have beaten him circa 1958 if Rock had not retired.

Tyson, Ali, Lennox, Bowe, Holyfield, Frazier, Foreman, Liston and many others would beat rock. Pound 4 Pound he maybe the best ever at heavyweight but head to head he would lose to most of the top 15 heavyweights at thier best.

Agreed.

[jezzamundo]

Marciano TKO6 Klitschko - Wlad ahead on points.

Liston TKO8 Marciano

Ali TKO13 Marciano

Tyson TKO6 Marciano - Swing fight, depending on if Rocky gets a few good punches in early and breaks Tyson's spirit.

Lewis TKO9 Marciano

Holmes UD15 Marciano - Holmes goes down but wins wide.

Marciano TKO15 Holyfield - Swing fight, Holyfield ahead on points.

Foreman TKO5 Marciano

Marciano TKO14 Joe Frazier - Swing fight, Frazier ahead on points.