Prime Joe Louis vs. Rocky Marciano

[Controversial]

We all know the Louis who faced Marciano wasn't the fighter he once was so how do you think the best version of Louis would have fared against the best version of Marciano?

[Goodnight, Irene]

Extremely well, simply put.

I men, you scroll down the list of attributes a fighter has, and one guy has advantages in virtually every category...its Louis by a landslide, on paper and in practice.

The Bomber in ten.

[raylawpc]

I'd favor Louis. But he would have been troubled by Marciano's crouch. By his own admission, Louis always had trouble with guys who fought out of a crouch.

[Goodnight, Irene]

I'd favor Louis. But he would have been troubled by Marciano's crouch. By his own admission, Louis always had trouble with guys who fought out of a crouch.

Like Godoy in the rematch?

He nearly killed the guy.

[BoxBuzz]

How can you not favor Louis. That's the bet to make.

[raylawpc]

I'd favor Louis. But he would have been troubled by Marciano's crouch. By his own admission, Louis always had trouble with guys who fought out of a crouch.

Like Godoy in the rematch?

He nearly killed the guy.

Not in the first fight. Louis was always at his best in rematches. Isn't the assumption that this is the first match-up in these hypothetical pairings?

[Goodnight, Irene]

Well, yes, but Id also take the view that this is each guy at the APEX of their prime. Louis was still at that stage when he stopped Godoy, so I picture him as armed with the info of that fight.

[crusader]

Louis all day.

[King Carlos]

If Louis were the considerable favourite I'd throw down some money on Marciano. Might make a killing.

[raylawpc]

Well, yes, but Id also take the view that this is each guy at the APEX of their prime. Louis was still at that stage when he stopped Godoy, so I picture him as armed with the info of that fight.

I give up.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Ooookay...

[scallum]

Extremely well, simply put.

I men, you scroll down the list of attributes a fighter has, and one guy has advantages in virtually every category...its Louis by a landslide, on paper and in practice.

The Bomber in ten.

I'm not so sure this is as easy as most think it will be for Louis? The Rock had an enormous Heart and dynamite in that right hand. Louis did not have the best of chins so it is very plausible that The Rock could KO Louis

[Ketchel]

Louis every day of the week! He'd bust Rocky up and stop him in 10. Rocky never fought a prime fighter of Louis' calibre.

[scallum]

Louis never fought a Murderous Puncher of Rocky's caliber. This fight wit The endurance of The Rock could be very well be a nightmare for Louis. It would be different if Louis had a great chin or foot movement.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Louis had plenty of endurance himself, and his footwork was certainly better than Marciano's.

As for, "Louis never fought..." thats not a game which will end well for Marciano, given his quality of opposition.

[Controversial]

Its a tough one, Louis' chin was far from granite and you would imagine at some point Marciano would land some bombs on his chin. If Louis could get through that I see him outboxing Marciano and probably forcing a very late stoppage.

[gilgamesh]

I don't see any way Marciano could last the distance under Louis' attack in this one. Even if he can take the punches well enough to not be knocked out by them I figure the power shots landed by Louis would at the very least cut up Marciano considerably as the rounds go on. That being said Marciano we all know is tough as nails and would be fighting every step of the way to get the win. I could see The Rock stunning Joe a time or two in the rounds when he needs a knockout to save the fight because Rocky was just that kinda fighter who would fight his damndest to come up with the result when he had to. Only this time it's a Prime Louis in there and Louis would eventually survive the worst of the assault and continue to break down Marciano getting either a KO or TKO at some point in the 10-12 round range.

[Goodnight, Irene]

People under-estimate just how damaging Louis' punches were.

I would not be at all surprised to see Marciano dazed, downed, and helpless with the ref having to save him.

[yancey]

Louis every day of the week! He'd bust Rocky up and stop him in 10. Rocky never fought a prime fighter of Louis' calibre.

Agree with every word, with emphasis on your last sentence.

[jezzamundo]

I'd say Marciano has a punchers chance and that's about it. I think a prime Rocky knocks out the version of Louis who was stopped by Schmeling, but against a prime Louis I think he wins perhaps twice in ten fights. Joe may visit the canvas once, but he would inflict enough damage on Marciano to wear him down by the mid to late rounds.

[NYDominican]

Granted, Rocky & Joe fought once. Rocky did win via a knockout. But, Joe was 37 years old. Well past his prime. Especially in regards to his stamina & endurance. But, Joe was carrying more weight. It was proper weight. So, Joe had more punching power compared to his fights at the midway point to earlier in his professional career.

For Joes fight against Rocky, Joes weight at the "weigh in" was at around 213 3/4 pounds. On the day of the fight, Joes weight was close to 233 pounds. Marcianos weight at the weigh in was at 184 pounds. On the day of the fight, Rockys weight was close to 204 pounds.


In Joes prime, he was quite a bit lighter in weight. Joe had less puncher power earlier in his professional career.


Would Joes body in his prime have been able to have withstood Rockys punching power?


Joes boxing strengths in his prime. --- For his offense, Joe employed a stalker-hunter attack. But, Louis was always very cautious. Joe was never erratic.

Joe didn't have the single nor lethal punching power which Rocky, Earnie Shavers or George Foreman had. Joe relied upon lightening quick punch combinations. Joe also had a good left hook. His main offensive weapon was an effective one, two punch combination. Louis could fire off his punches in very precise & piston like precision.

Other strengths of Joe in his prime. --- He had excellent physical conditioning. He never gassed out. He could fight 15 rounds & not even break a sweat.

But, would this be enough for Joe?


Rocky Marcianos strengths. Especially in his prime --- Rockys trainers trained & conditioned him to have a physical build which would encompass both the swarmer style & the slugger style. For the swarmer style, Marcianos trainers trained & conditioned Rocky to have a physical build to keep up a non-stop, continual & intense attack upon his opponents. But, also a physical build which could generate TREMENDOUS punching power. In addition, Rocky had TREMENDOUS chin strength. For the rest of Marcianos body, he had a TREMENDOUS threshold of pain.


An indicator that Joes punching power wouldn't have been enough. ---
Rockys fights against Jersey Joe Walcott & Archie Moore. --- Both Walcott & Moore hit Marciano DIRECTLY on his chin with left hooks. But, Rocky was dropped for ONLY a 3 count both times. Walcott & Moore were SHOCKED! Both Walcott & Moore said that other opponents whom they hit with their lethal left hooks would have been knocked out cold. Yet, Marciano was down for only a 3 count. When Rocky rose, he looked them right in their eyes & he shook his head.

Rockys punching power was rated the highest. Along with Earnie Shavers & George Foreman. Marcianos punching power was rated as being the equivalent of an armor piercing bullet.


Rocky was PROVEN battle tested against the BEST of his era. --- He defeated the VERY great Joe Louis. Joe was knocked right out of the ring. Marciano defeated Jersey Joe Walcott (Walcotts boxing style was boxer-puncher) twice. 1st time was via a 13 round knockout. 2nd time was via a 1st round knockout.

Rocky beat Ezzard Charles (Charles boxing style was master-boxer) twice. 1st time was via a 15 round decision. 2nd time, via an 8th round knockout.

Charles beat Louis. Clearly, Joe was older & more battle worn than Charles. But still, Charles did beat Joe.

Marciano beat Archie Moore (Moore utilized 2 different boxing styles --- Boxer-puncher & master-boxer) via a 9th round knockout.


A prime Marciano against a prime Louis? --- I'd give the nod to Rocky.

The critical factors working on the side or Rocky. --- His chin strength & the rest of his bodys threshold of pain. Rockys punching power. He had the one punch power to hurt Louis. Even if Louis could withstand one or even a few of Rockys power punches. Eventually, the accumulation of Rockys power punches would be too much for Joe.

[Goodnight, Irene]

So Louis punched harder as he got fatter and slower!?

Also, throw the idea he didnt have one-shot KO power out the window. If he didnt, either did Marciano, who beat most guys via attrition, just as Louis beat most by combination.

[yancey]

Granted, Rocky & Joe fought once. Rocky did win via a knockout. But, Joe was 37 years old. Well past his prime. Especially in regards to his stamina & endurance. But, Joe was carrying more weight. It was proper weight. So, Joe had more punching power compared to his fights at the midway point to earlier in his professional career.

For Joes fight against Rocky, Joes weight at the "weigh in" was at around 213 3/4 pounds. On the day of the fight, Joes weight was close to 233 pounds. Marcianos weight at the weigh in was at 184 pounds. On the day of the fight, Rockys weight was close to 204 pounds.


In Joes prime, he was quite a bit lighter in weight. Joe had less puncher power earlier in his professional career.


Would Joes body in his prime have been able to have withstood Rockys punching power?


Joes boxing strengths in his prime. --- For his offense, Joe employed a stalker-hunter attack. But, Louis was always very cautious. Joe was never erratic.

Joe didn't have the single nor lethal punching power which Rocky, Earnie Shavers or George Foreman had. Joe relied upon lightening quick punch combinations. Joe also had a good left hook. His main offensive weapon was an effective one, two punch combination. Louis could fire off his punches in very precise & piston like precision.

Other strengths of Joe in his prime. --- He had excellent physical conditioning. He never gassed out. He could fight 15 rounds & not even break a sweat.

But, would this be enough for Joe?


Rocky Marcianos strengths. Especially in his prime --- Rockys trainers trained & conditioned him to have a physical build which would encompass both the swarmer style & the slugger style. For the swarmer style, Marcianos trainers trained & conditioned Rocky to have a physical build to keep up a non-stop, continual & intense attack upon his opponents. But, also a physical build which could generate TREMENDOUS punching power. In addition, Rocky had TREMENDOUS chin strength. For the rest of Marcianos body, he had a TREMENDOUS threshold of pain.


An indicator that Joes punching power wouldn't have been enough. ---
Rockys fights against Jersey Joe Walcott & Archie Moore. --- Both Walcott & Moore hit Marciano DIRECTLY on his chin with left hooks. But, Rocky was dropped for ONLY a 3 count both times. Walcott & Moore were SHOCKED! Both Walcott & Moore said that other opponents whom they hit with their lethal left hooks would have been knocked out cold. Yet, Marciano was down for only a 3 count. When Rocky rose, he looked them right in their eyes & he shook his head.

Rockys punching power was rated the highest. Along with Earnie Shavers & George Foreman. Marcianos punching power was rated as being the equivalent of an armor piercing bullet.


Rocky was PROVEN battle tested against the BEST of his era. --- He defeated the VERY great Joe Louis. Joe was knocked right out of the ring. Marciano defeated Jersey Joe Walcott (Walcotts boxing style was boxer-puncher) twice. 1st time was via a 13 round knockout. 2nd time was via a 1st round knockout.

Rocky beat Ezzard Charles (Charles boxing style was master-boxer) twice. 1st time was via a 15 round decision. 2nd time, via an 8th round knockout.

Charles beat Louis. Clearly, Joe was older & more battle worn than Charles. But still, Charles did beat Joe.

Marciano beat Archie Moore (Moore utilized 2 different boxing styles --- Boxer-puncher & master-boxer) via a 9th round knockout.


A prime Marciano against a prime Louis? --- I'd give the nod to Rocky.

The critical factors working on the side or Rocky. --- His chin strength & the rest of his bodys threshold of pain. Rockys punching power. He had the one punch power to hurt Louis. Even if Louis could withstand one or even a few of Rockys power punches. Eventually, the accumulation of Rockys power punches would be too much for Joe.

"Rockys punching power was rated the highest" NYDominican

By whom, may I ask?

Is it the same power assessment service that rated Rocky's punch the "equivalent of an armor piercing bullet"?

[NYDominican]

So Louis punched harder as he got fatter and slower!?

Also, throw the idea he didnt have one-shot KO power out the window. If he didnt, either did Marciano, who beat most guys via attrition, just as Louis beat most by combination.

_______________________________________________________


Louis, from 1947 right up until the end back in 1951, clearly, he was carrying more weight. During this time, his weight at the weigh ins was 211 to 213 3/4 pounds.


Obviously, Joe didn't have the chiseled, ripped build such as what he had from 1934 up to 1946. But, he still had a good build. He was 6 foot 2 inches tall. Despite Joe carrying more weight from 1947 till 1951, he did have more power.

Especially a pro boxer such as Joe being able to use his added weight for more power.


An example. Regarding another ex. great pro boxer. --- George Foreman. --- The first stage of Georges pro career from 1960 till 1977, his weight at the weigh ins was from around 213 up to 231 1/2 pounds.

The second stage of Georges pro career, from 1987 till 1997, his weights at the weigh ins was from around 235 up to 263 pounds.

George, in the second stage of his career had more power.

When George fought Michael Moorer back in November, 1994, even at the age of 45, George laid Moorer out cold.


In my previous post, I didn't say that Joe didn't have one punch power. I said that he didn't have the one punch power (Equivalent) such as what Rocky, Earnie Shavers or George Foreman had.


Rocky, Earnie & George had more power than Joe.

[NYDominican]

Granted, Rocky & Joe fought once. Rocky did win via a knockout. But, Joe was 37 years old. Well past his prime. Especially in regards to his stamina & endurance. But, Joe was carrying more weight. It was proper weight. So, Joe had more punching power compared to his fights at the midway point to earlier in his professional career.

For Joes fight against Rocky, Joes weight at the "weigh in" was at around 213 3/4 pounds. On the day of the fight, Joes weight was close to 233 pounds. Marcianos weight at the weigh in was at 184 pounds. On the day of the fight, Rockys weight was close to 204 pounds.


In Joes prime, he was quite a bit lighter in weight. Joe had less puncher power earlier in his professional career.


Would Joes body in his prime have been able to have withstood Rockys punching power?


Joes boxing strengths in his prime. --- For his offense, Joe employed a stalker-hunter attack. But, Louis was always very cautious. Joe was never erratic.

Joe didn't have the single nor lethal punching power which Rocky, Earnie Shavers or George Foreman had. Joe relied upon lightening quick punch combinations. Joe also had a good left hook. His main offensive weapon was an effective one, two punch combination. Louis could fire off his punches in very precise & piston like precision.

Other strengths of Joe in his prime. --- He had excellent physical conditioning. He never gassed out. He could fight 15 rounds & not even break a sweat.

But, would this be enough for Joe?


Rocky Marcianos strengths. Especially in his prime --- Rockys trainers trained & conditioned him to have a physical build which would encompass both the swarmer style & the slugger style. For the swarmer style, Marcianos trainers trained & conditioned Rocky to have a physical build to keep up a non-stop, continual & intense attack upon his opponents. But, also a physical build which could generate TREMENDOUS punching power. In addition, Rocky had TREMENDOUS chin strength. For the rest of Marcianos body, he had a TREMENDOUS threshold of pain.


An indicator that Joes punching power wouldn't have been enough. ---
Rockys fights against Jersey Joe Walcott & Archie Moore. --- Both Walcott & Moore hit Marciano DIRECTLY on his chin with left hooks. But, Rocky was dropped for ONLY a 3 count both times. Walcott & Moore were SHOCKED! Both Walcott & Moore said that other opponents whom they hit with their lethal left hooks would have been knocked out cold. Yet, Marciano was down for only a 3 count. When Rocky rose, he looked them right in their eyes & he shook his head.

Rockys punching power was rated the highest. Along with Earnie Shavers & George Foreman. Marcianos punching power was rated as being the equivalent of an armor piercing bullet.


Rocky was PROVEN battle tested against the BEST of his era. --- He defeated the VERY great Joe Louis. Joe was knocked right out of the ring. Marciano defeated Jersey Joe Walcott (Walcotts boxing style was boxer-puncher) twice. 1st time was via a 13 round knockout. 2nd time was via a 1st round knockout.

Rocky beat Ezzard Charles (Charles boxing style was master-boxer) twice. 1st time was via a 15 round decision. 2nd time, via an 8th round knockout.

Charles beat Louis. Clearly, Joe was older & more battle worn than Charles. But still, Charles did beat Joe.

Marciano beat Archie Moore (Moore utilized 2 different boxing styles --- Boxer-puncher & master-boxer) via a 9th round knockout.


A prime Marciano against a prime Louis? --- I'd give the nod to Rocky.

The critical factors working on the side or Rocky. --- His chin strength & the rest of his bodys threshold of pain. Rockys punching power. He had the one punch power to hurt Louis. Even if Louis could withstand one or even a few of Rockys power punches. Eventually, the accumulation of Rockys power punches would be too much for Joe.

"Rockys punching power was rated the highest" NYDominican

By whom, may I ask?

Is it the same power assessment service that rated Rocky's punch the "equivalent of an armor piercing bullet"?

________________________________________________________



Many trainers out of boxing gyms in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Philadelphia & even out of Pittsburgh.


Rocky wasn't the only one mentioned. Earnie Shavers & George Foreman have also been mentioned within the content of that reference.